Sale Advice

[Prince]

As some of you will know, back in February I was involved in an accident. Some kind person decided I didn't need glass in one of my doors and thought a nice big dent across my door, wing and bonnet would look good.

I can now sell the car after a damage valuation was agreed (£1700) so I've started fixing it up. The car itself is valued at £2300. The door, glass, wing and wing mirror will be all be replaced before sale. The mileage is currently around 23000.

The spec of the car is as follows:

- 1999 Honda Civic EJ6 Coupe (1.6 non-vtec)
- Carbon Fibre Bonnet (with small scratch)
- Greddy Evo2 Cat Back Exhaust
- Genuine EK9 Grill
- Genuine EK9 Headlights
- 6000k HIDs
- Spax RSX Coilovers
- TSW 17 inch Catalunyas

The bodywork is in rather good condition but I'm a bit concerned if somebody knows it was in an accident they won't be willing to pay out for it.

What does everyone else think?

 

[geraint13]

tbh i would be wary of buying a car that has had an accident, but aslong as you got all the papers to say its passed whatever test it has to do to be road worthy again then i cant see any problems.

 

[obi_waynne]

Take photos before and after, this can reassure them. If a car is properly repaired you shouldn't have anything to worry about. If the paint doesn't match up or the panel fit is bad then this would affect the value of the car.

 

[Prince]

It's not a write off so doesn't need to pass any tests. I was going to do as much as I can to cut down on costs. I have already got a complete door, with freshly cleaned glass and the interior waiting to go on. I just need to get a wing mirror, bolt that on and get a wing. I am struggling to find a wing in silver though.

 

[obi_waynne]

I'd get it sprayed in down that side and blended rather than try to find a matching colour. Silver doors are rarely exactly the same colour but I guess you could get lucky.

 

[Prince]

The door is pretty much spot on so I was lucky in that respect. It's a shame to be sorting it out just to sell it, but I think it's time to move on.

 

[obi_waynne]

You had quite a bit of fun with it. Sadly when a car gets dented or pranged it never feels the same again and it sounds like you love the BMW.

 

[dpsubaru]

note that they have given a damage valuation, is this from the other insurers and is it going to be registered? if not, then bugger it and keep quiet so the new buyer shouldnt find out - if they say anything use the usual 'i bought it like that originally'.

if it is recorded then best to come clean and tell any prospective buyer. Wouldnt really go for before and after photos, if i saw this my concern would be due to a wing and a door being damaged their maybe some hidden damage to the A pillar. Regardless of what the damage valuator says.

i had an old mark v 3 door escort which we put a rear quarter on after it had a close encounter with a wall. a lot of work but it looked really good after. The only problem was that the other side had also previously been in a smash but i/o replacing the panel they just lumped a load of filler in, it was obvious it had been in an incident. Had big trouble selling it because of this. Come clean if the damage is obvious, if not, keeo quiet,

 

[bigbadjoe]

If its not a Cat D or a Cat C then I wouldn't worry about it. If people want to dig hard enough, then let them. The incident didn't damage any other part of the car. A door, mirror and window isn't going to put many people off. :cheesy:

 

[turbonutter69]

If the insurance pays out isn't the car recorded as bein in an accident?

 

[bigbadjoe]

If the insurance pays out isn't the car recorded as bein in an accident?

Yeah, but doesn't the buyer have to pay around £35 to find that information out. These cheep text checks only tell you if the car is a right off, if it has ever been stollen or if there is any credit owed to it.

If the buyer is willing to spend £35 to find out if it has had a door repaired then more fool the buyer.

I have never really sold a car to someone I didn't know. Escort - Scrapped, Prelude - Scrapped, Mazda - Sold to mate who did all the repairs on it as and when they needed them.

 

[Prince]

Good stuff. Thanks for the replies so far guys!

I tried jumping it today, but it refused to start. New battery on the list then...