Is selling your car to someone you know a really bad idea?
I'll be selling Polo in less than two months time (hopefully!) and a couple of people have already said what a nice little car he is and that they'd be interested in buying him. These are people that I see very often (in one case, every day) and I'm just not sure it's a good idea.
If he breaks down, I will feel responsible and bad for them having to spend money on him. Also, I don't know if I want to see him every day once I've sold him on. On the other hand, it would be nice to know the sort of person he was going to.
Any opinions?
(Yes, I know it's only a car... but he's *my* car!)
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Million dollar question. If you're honest about any defects/faults it should be ok. I have done it numerous times, the last time was my much loved end of lease E46 330d. I "knew" it was solid motor. It's still going well with o faliures, airbag light now on but it's booked into an indie. And I sold to to family (said in a Phil Mitchell type of gruff hard voice)
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If you are selling a genuine car you have no reason to be worried if something goes wrong. If you forget to tell them things about it though or ignore known faults then that is where the problems will start.
Oh and surely a car is female not male?
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Bad move IMHO, I never sell a car to someone I know. I usually give them away, that way no one can complain. I gave my last high mileage car to the mechanic that used to service it. The one before that went to my 18 year old god son, he was well chuffed.
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Just sold my Saxo to mu B-I-L. What i actually did was sent an email to most of the folk in my address book, with picture and all the deatils, warts and all.
I did it this way and asked anyone who was in a work / factory environment to print it out and stick it up on their noticeboards.
I got 3 phone calls from it this way, and one offer at the same time as my B-I-L. He was adamant that he wanted it so he got it but there was no pressure on him or me.
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I'd say, on balance, 'don't do it'. You imply that Polo's been good to you which suggests there may be things which are about to go wrong or fall off that haven't as yet. Isn't he about 9-10 years old, just starting the troubleson pre-adolescent stage?!
Even when you're selling 'as seen' you would still feel guilty if you hear tales of woe from the friend / colleague who bought him from you.
The reason I say 'on balance' is that you would avoid the hassle of advertising a private sale and having to be at home for various unsavoury characters, otherwise known as Basingstoke's finest....
There'll be Darren who buys and sells from his back garden - 'ain't worf five 'undred in that condition'....
And a little man in a flat cap called Frank with a large and powerful wife who is fed up with his Reliant Robin: they turn you down as SWMBO prefers the Fiat Uno they've seen because it's in ever such a nice shade of blue....
And the 17-year-old girl whom you persuade to fall in love with Polo: all goes well till she brings her dad along....much sucking of teeth and prodding of poor Polo - 'That's a rust spot that is - don't touch it girl.' Tears....
Now I've unconvinced myself! Maybe it depends on how important it is that Polo goes to a good home. One does get fond of cars doesn't one; I'm still desperately missing my Audi having been seduced by a good deal into PX-ing it for a Mercedes B-class.
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I thought about this, but I've just done it. And the reason I've done it is because I wanted the car (Golf VR6) to go to someone I could trust to take as much care of the car as I have for the first 9.5 years of its life. I've told him everything I know about what will need doing within the next couple of years, i.e. everything I would have expected to have to deal with myself (e.g. exhaust, rear-axle bushes). Beyond that, it's caveat emptor, as I am sure he understands very well.
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Roger, why you sell the VR6? Is that you down to just the Merc and Capri?
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"Is selling your car to someone you know a really bad idea?"
I think it depends on (a) how sure you are that the car is sound, and (b) how much it would matter to you if the friendship turned sour. Any car will 'break down' sooner or later. If that happens later, no problem; if sooner, you may just have been unlucky. Any genuine friend will realise that you can't guarantee the car, so don't worry. As for seeing it again, that may be a pleasure?
I have sold once to a B-in-L who kept the car for several years (putting several dents in it himself) and once to a family friend who did likewise. Both lived over 100 miles away, however ...
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I ALWAYS try to buy my cars from family, friends and business contacts because I know that they will be honest with me.If they have had problems with the car, they will not sell it to me!Normally they are 3 to 4 years old, highish miles, one owner and FSH.If anything needs doing this is reflected in the price. If anything major goes wrong (as it did on a 4 year old Merc)then you just have to accept it.After buying several cars this way over the years (plus at auction) I have lost no friends and they often now approach me before they part ex, as it puts them in a stronger buying position.
I have my eye on a friends Legacy Spec B wagon when it comes down in value to £7k...I may have a long wait!
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I've been in this situation myself as the buyer rather than the seller. I bought a car that was around six years old from a very close workmate. He was selling and I was interested in buying at the same time. We both understood the positive points and the pitfalls of buying/selling a six year old car, but nevertheless the deal was done. I have to say that everything has been fine. Yes the car has had a few unexpected problems but I have never thought that it was anything other than my problem at the end of the day. The car is still going strong today, so my experience has been positive. I think as long as you both understand the terms of the deal then selling to someone you know is okay.
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Pologirl, print out this thread and show it to the prospective buyer.
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BobbyG
Well, I decided to let go of the VR6 because for some time I had been trying to reduce the number of cars I have and at last someone popped up with serious interest and fully qualified to be the caring owner I always swore I would look for. At that point I was prepared to do a deal as long as a fair offer was made. I not only told him everything I know but gave him the complete spending record for the past six years.
Not long after making the in-principle decision and thinking that I could give up the lock-up garage rented from the local council, a peach of an MB turned up for sale within the MB Club. It wasn't an obvious option for me, but the owner promoted it well and I was tempted to have a look. A look and a drive convinced me that it was as special as he had claimed (twin-turbo W124 saloon, a Q-car par excellence) and, in spite of my fondness for the Golf as a super fun car, it promises to be even more fun.
The whole thing has been sweetened by an offer for the Golf that was above my minimum and above the final price on the MB. I'm too fond of my cars.
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I sold my car to a friend at well below market value (1 owner, FSH). He had absolutely no respect or understanding of the value in it (my blood & sweat). Had I known I would have sent it off to auction and been happy to accept less dosh (but would probably have got much more).
The moral: selling to someone you know is good as long as it is transparenly pitched at market value. Even then the buyer is getting a good deal because he actually knows the history.
No good favour goes unpunished.
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I've sold cars to friends and even family (once)and not really had a problem. Just treat it as business.
And some of you may remember my previous thread about buying a new Passat - update, have ordered one for Sept 56 plate through drivethedeal.com. Anyway, I've agree to sell the outgoing BMW to someone we know in the village (at the end of August) and hope the car keeps going ok up until then and beyond. I've been totally upfront about everything and I'm just glad the car is going to someone who really wants it and is excited about it! And at a fair price for both parties.
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