Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell?

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
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Wed 9 May 2012 15:39
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - GavoTheSane

I no longer need my car, I'd like to get the best price, but selling it privately just isn't working and is getting expensive, any tips?

I've priced it competitively, used CAP pricing and looked on Autotrader for similar models, it's up on Exchange & Mart, Autotrader and eBay, but I've had no interest in a week so far. I've put up the best description possible with great pictures.

I've tried phoning dealers, and those places that offer to buy your car, but I've had ludicrously low offers, way lower than CAP.

Any tips? Or is the car market just dead at the moment?

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Wed 9 May 2012 16:31
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - tony g
Hi gav,
It all depends on the car ,large petrol engine , short mot ,no service history .all these make a car difficult to sell ,if your cars colour is not black or silver ,the colour will be against it.
For the wrong car Even if you price it right it will still be a struggle .

If you post the details I will give you an idea of the likely trade and retail values,remember that glasses and cap are guides ,not guarantees .

Regards

Tony g
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Wed 9 May 2012 16:43
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - GavoTheSane

Focus 1.8 Style. 2008 (58) Facelift. Metallic black. Fog Lights. Air Con. Electric Windows Full dealer service history, MOT until August, 39,000 miles. I've got it up at £5,125.

Edited by GavChap77 on 09/05/2012 at 16:46

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Wed 9 May 2012 17:05
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - Ben 10

I know how frustrating it can be. You spend money out and end up with timewasters who want to knock the price down on the phone or car buying companies, who want it for a song.

Nearly every car I've sold has been via a sign in the window and been to those that see the thing on passing. I've lost count of the times I've advertised on Auto...... or E*** only to spend a morning or afternoon cleaning the vehicle inside and out only to have the perspective buyer not turn up.

I can sympathise totally with you. Though you might have to take just over the trade in price or suffer a hit and trade it in with the buy any car crowd if you want the cash ASAP.

I always had a sneaky suspicion that my wife had some bloke at work ring up to book a viewing just to get me to valet the thing for her ;-)))

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Wed 9 May 2012 17:06
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - MrPAV

Not a bad looking car, not a bad price either, but to be honest the Ford Focus is such a brilliant selling car yours is probably lost in the thousands of others that are on Auto Trader. Many people won't actually buy from private individuals and would rather pay the premium and go to a dealer to get "peace of mind."

With regards to advice, might or might not work, stick a FOR SALE sign in the window which if youre driving it around will get some more exposure, the cars clean but clean the engine, tells your buyer that you have looked after the car not just cosmetically, and lastly RELAX!! It won't happen overnight, enquiries will come but you will have to be patient mate.

Good luck

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Wed 9 May 2012 17:34
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - GavoTheSane

This plan has but one flaw. I don't drive it anywhere as I work from home, hence why we're selling it. I've now put it up on dealerbid.co.uk as that seems to have some good reviews.

Maybe I should just park it on the street outside (though I fear it getting scratched if I do!) with a sign in the window. We get loads of parents down the road all the time because there's a school down here.

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Wed 9 May 2012 18:19
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - Bobbin Threadbare

OP - your price is very fair for the car. If it makes you feel better, I'd have it :-)

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Wed 9 May 2012 18:27
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - Ben 10

"Maybe I should just park it on the street outside (though I fear it getting scratched if I do!) with a sign in the window. We get loads of parents down the road all the time because there's a school down here."

YES.... you've had two posts suggesting the advert in the window job, so go ahead. You'd be surprised how quick it might go.

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Wed 9 May 2012 20:53
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - Roly93

Focus 1.8 Style. 2008 (58) Facelift. Metallic black. Fog Lights. Air Con. Electric Windows Full dealer service history, MOT until August, 39,000 miles. I've got it up at £5,125.

Should fly off the shelf....

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Wed 9 May 2012 19:28
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - tony g
5 Door Hatchback, Facelift 2008MY, Panther Black Metallic, HPI Cleared, MOT until August, Tax til Oct, Full Dealer Service History, Space saver spare wheel, Alarm, Audio remote control, Cloth seat trim, Air conditioning, Electric Front Windows, Metallic Paint. Very good condition. First to see will buy. No canvassers or salespersons please. Full driving licence and proof of insurance will be needed to test drive. Payment by instant bank transfer or cash if handed over at a bank. Bankers Drafts/Cashier's Cheques will need to clear before you collect the vehicle. £5,125

Hi gav ,
The good news is your photographs show the car at its best ,however your add is poorly written ,their are to many negatives ,and irrelevant comments ,first to see will buy ?,no canvassers or sales people ?full driving license ,method of payment ,etc .these are all things you could discuss with a potential buyer when he rings to enquire about the car .putting them in the add puts potential buyers off ringing .

You mention the space saver spare wheel ,it's not a selling point ,does the car have alloys ,have the tyres been replaced recently .

HPI cleared ,why not say free hpi certificate included. .

The car has tax until October a posative ,but only 3/4 months mot ,a sure way to frighten off potential buyers .

Finally price ,your car is cheaper than most equivalents on auto trader ,to help it sell , price it at £4995 ,if a potential buyer on autotrader ,puts a search in for a for a focus up to £5000 ,your car is excluded from his selection .Then don't accept less than £5000 .

Regards

Tony g




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Wed 9 May 2012 21:28
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - GavoTheSane

I've updated my ad, however, I have the original HPI certificate from when I bought the car, or should I do a new one? (I bought it cash originally!)

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Wed 9 May 2012 20:51
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - Roly93

I no longer need my car, I'd like to get the best price, but selling it privately just isn't working and is getting expensive, any tips?

I cant see how selling privately is so expensive compared to what you will lose if you sell to a dealer to WBAC etc etc. If its a Ford Focus isn't selling there is a good reason.

We sold our 6 1/2 year old Focus last year in 3 days. I cant appraise your car by guessing, but I would take another look at things that may be offputting to a buyer and try to be true to yourself !

As a dealer recently said to me, the £3k half decent Astra or Focus is selling well, but the £10K 4 year old Audi or BMW not so much so.

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Wed 9 May 2012 21:14
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - GavoTheSane

Well I've updated the ad now, hope this is more positive.

-----

5 Doors, Manual, Hatchback, Petrol, 39,000 miles, Panther Black Metallic, 2 Owners. A 2009 Model. Air conditioning, colour coded exterior styling pack, Tailgate spoiler, Heat reflecting tinted glass, Ford professional audio system inc front loading cd, MP3 input, Leather-Aluminium sports steering wheel, Adjustable steering column,Fully adjustable front seats, Electric windows, Electric heated door mirrors, Centre console with drinks holders, Multi function information centre with Ford auto check system, Interior light pack, Remote double locking with Ford anti theft security system, Multiple airbags. Full main dealer service history. Complete with spare keys, radio security code, HPI clear. Car is in very good condition, great value and low mileage.

-------

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Wed 9 May 2012 22:19
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - tony g
Hi gav,
Much better ,alloys ,new tyres ,?

What sort of offers we're the trade making ?
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Wed 9 May 2012 22:29
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - GavoTheSane

Doesn't have alloys, trade were offering 4000 to 4300. Tyres are 4-5mm so half used.

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Thu 10 May 2012 11:07
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - Ben 10

I wouldn't say low mileage. It's done over the average.

If you've been offered £4300 by a dealer, take it now. By the time someone comes round and haggles, you will be probably be letting it go for £4500.

I've done that before. Had it advertised in the motoring media, waited so long, had hagglers who wanted it for nothing, then sold it eventually further down the line for the price of the original hagglers offer. Either signs in the window or take the dealer offer.

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Thu 10 May 2012 14:30
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - jacks

another vote for signs in the window - I have sold a few that way. Park it up on Saturday morning in your local shopping centre car park, get there early and park it in the front row, somewhere everybody will walk past on their way to the shops. Large clear sign with price, mileage and mobile number.

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Thu 10 May 2012 16:10
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - GavoTheSane

Thanks for the advice everyone, someone came to look at it today, and it's been sold, well, deposit taken, and cash is being handed over tomorrow in my local bank.

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Thu 10 May 2012 16:58
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - MrPAV

How much did you sell it on for if you don't mind me asking? Also to a dealer or private?

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Thu 10 May 2012 17:04
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - GavoTheSane

Private: £4770.

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Thu 10 May 2012 17:30
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - MrPAV

Not bad, well done mate

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Thu 10 May 2012 20:11
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - tony g
Well done gav ,it's a fair price ,

Regards

Tony g
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Thu 10 May 2012 20:16
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - Roly93

Private: £4770.

There ye go told you .......... well done...

And to think you almost listened to the 'selling private is too much hassle' brigade..

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Thu 10 May 2012 22:12
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - GavoTheSane

Nearly, but not quite. I think I got a fair enough price for it.

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Tue 14 Feb 2017 09:22
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - jasonbg

Wouldn't bother with the bigger companies to sell your car.

Might be worth trying someone like -xxxx - pretty sure they can give you some good advice on selling your Ford Focus.

Hope this helps :)

(Edit - no it doesn't. Link deleted.)

Edited by Avant on 15/02/2017 at 13:12

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Tue 14 Feb 2017 18:15
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - andyp

Nice "plug"! However as the thread is 5 years old I suspect the OP has sold his car by now !

Edited by Avant on 15/02/2017 at 13:12

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Tue 14 Feb 2017 18:18
Ford Focus - Selling my car, best way to sell? - FP

Nine times out of ten, when someone picks up an old thread it's just so they can post spam under the pretence of contributing something to the forum.

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