Trading old car with a hitch

kilk

Hi guys, would one be better removing a hitch from a car prior to trading for a new one or does it make much difference to price given? I would have to pay a mechanic to remove hitch and lights socket.

Sam Kade

There's a few buyers would rather buy a car with a towbar, advertise and test the waters If you are trading in the car what difference does it make?

Atlantic Dawn

Hard to know really, you could spend money removing it and the person who buys it might spend €500 the day after fitting another one. Certainly don't go in to expense removing it anyways.

kilk

Sam Kade wrote: »

There's a few buyers would rather buy a car with a towbar, advertise and test the waters If you are trading in the car what difference does it make?

Would the garage offer a better price if the car was presented with no hitch? Or would it make little difference?

colm_mcm

Depends on the car. What is it?

kilk

colm_mcm wrote: »

Depends on the car. What is it?

09 octavia diesel with around 140k miles on it.

veetwin

With a carlike that I'd suggest a tow hitch would make it more desirable to many potential purchasers

AlanG

from my recent experience trading a similar car the bar made no difference. The garage didn't care. For a private sale it could make a difference as I was definitely aware that buying with a hitch would save me 350 to 500 and a lot of hassle on my new car. I would leave it on the car for sure.

Senecio

A diesel Octavia I would leave it on. Unless it was a hot hatch or something with a sporty image it will not make any difference.

kilk

Senecio wrote: »

A diesel Octavia I would leave it on. Unless it was a hot hatch or something with a sporty image it will not make any difference.

The only thing sporty about it is the mud!

kilk

Thanks guys for all your replies.
Would I be better selling privately or trading for a new car? I would have thought it would be easier trading because I can shop around and try for the best deal. Or am I wrong?

Senecio

kilk wrote: »

The only thing sporty about it is the mud!

Sounds like my Yeti. Incidentally I have hitch fitted but it is of the removable type that is stored in the boot when not used. It does tidy up the look of the car when removed, not to mention saving my shins from ruin.

Senecio

Trading is more convenient but the consensus is that you'll usually get the best deal by selling private and negotiating a straight purchase.

Tigerandahalf

People had reservations about hitches as it was felt the car was pulling heavy loads or caravans etc and maybe put wear and tear on the car.

However I would say nowadays the vast majority with towbars use them for taking bikes.

Wish there was one on mine. With the new wiring systems they are expensive to put on it seems.

kilk

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

People had reservations about hitches as it was felt the car was pulling heavy loads or caravans etc and maybe put wear and tear on the car.

However I would say nowadays the vast majority with towbars use them for taking bikes.

Wish there was one on mine. With the new wiring systems they are expensive to put on it seems.

I can't remember how much the labour was to connect the wiring in mine but the little box I needed was €50 approx 4 years ago.

kilk

Senecio wrote: »

Trading is more convenient but the consensus is that you'll usually get the best deal by selling private and negotiating a straight purchase.

I advertised a car on Donedeal some years ago. I got a call from a well spoken chap in Rathkeel in Limerick, and we agreed to meet half way to check it out. He arrived spot on time as did his family.. all 17 of them! He took me and the car for a test drive and I can honestly say I was never driven so fast in all my days, and this was on a road where speed cams were most days, luckily not that day! He didn't take the car in the end.
This experience kinda put me off selling private.

mullingar

kilk wrote: »

I advertised a car on Donedeal some years ago. I got a call from a well spoken chap in Rathkeel in Limerick, and we agreed to meet half way to check it out. He arrived spot on time as did his family.. all 17 of them! He took me and the car for a test drive and I can honestly say I was never driven so fast in all my days, and this was on a road where speed cams were most days, luckily not that day! He didn't take the car in the end.
This experience kinda put me off selling private.

Two things in that quote should ring alarm bells straight away. Meet half way & Rathkeel.

Never ever meet someone half way.

Senecio

kilk wrote: »

This experience kinda put me off selling private.

That's why only you can decide what is most important to you, time or money?