NFR How much effort to put into a used vehicle before selling?

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Josh

Josh

Dead in the water
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I admit, it's been.... over a decade since I had to sell a car? But now that I picked up Evans hand-me-down F150, I need to get rid of my old Ranger.

How much effort do you all put into tidying up or fixing small stuff on a used vehicle before selling it? Not talking about functional problems or serious damage. A good wash and cleanout is a no brainer. But a full detailing? Carpet cleaner on the spots? Armor-all everywhere for that weird shiny look? Nobody wants a car that needs an oil change right away, so that would make sense if needed. Paint chips? Windshield cracks?

This particular truck isn't a high $$ item, so I probably would put less into it than I would if it were a late model vehicle worth 5-10x more. But it got me thinking about just how far it's worth going.

Also, since we're on the topic, anyone use anything other than FB Marketplace (or the PNWFF classifieds) to sell stuff? I've never bothered with OfferUp and CL charges to post cars these days.
 
A good washing and shop vac the insides.

Sell on PNW classifieds.

All you need
 
Evan B said:
A good washing and shop vac the insides.

Sell on PNW classifieds.

All you need
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Second this. I wouldn’t even change the oil. Any used moving vehicle (car or motorcycle), the first thing I would do is change the oil. No matter what the PO said they did (unless they have receipts).
 
In the ad, set expectations low. That way when they see in person it they will be impressed and buy it immediately at full listed price...
 
from the humor thread :

FB_IMG_1717045212319.jpg
Your truck looks decent enough in the other pics...
I'd give ya 4k as it sits.
;)
 
I like to see a vehicle in it's native state. Don't change the oil. Give it a wash and clean the interior. That's all I'm looking for. If it looks too done up and detailed I'm suspicious of what kind of life it actually had. I've bought and sold many vehicles of various ages and states. I generally always get asking price or close to it for anything I sell. People can see a well maintained honest presentation and I've had better luck with that rather than paying a detailer to do it up. Just wash it and be sure the tires are up to spec and fluids are up. If there are any known leaks or issues be up front about them. It will likely go further to sell the rig than letting someone see or discover on their own. Some people are pretty handy and a leak you didn't deal with because of cost may not be a thing to somebody with the know how and time. List it for a fair price and it will be gone in no time. I've generally sold my vehicles to the first person who has a look in person. People know if you're honest and can see an honest presentation of a vehicle. A vehicle of that type is right in the Craigslist shoppers wheelhouse so it's worth the price of listing in my opinion. It will happen fast for that rig in this economy. New vehicles are woefully out of reach for many, especially small truck shoppers.
 
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Dustin Chromers said:
I like to see a vehicle in it's native state. Don't change the oil. Give it a wash and clean the interior. That's all I'm looking for. If it looks too done up and detailed I'm suspicious of what kind of life it actually had. I've bought and sold many vehicles of various ages and states. I generally always get asking price or close to it for anything I sell. People can see a well maintained honest presentation and I've had better luck with that rather than paying a detailer to do it up. Just wash it and be sure the tires are up to spec and fluids are up. List it for a fair price and it will be gone in no time. I've generally sold my vehicles to the first person who has a look in person. People know if you're honest and can see an honest presentation of a vehicle.
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A clean vehicle shows that you have taken care of it.
 
Dustin Chromers said:
I like to see a vehicle in it's native state. Don't change the oil. Give it a wash and clean the interior. That's all I'm looking for. If it looks too done up and detailed I'm suspicious of what kind of life it actually had. I've bought and sold many vehicles of various ages and states. I generally always get asking price or close to it for anything I sell. People can see a well maintained honest presentation and I've had better luck with that rather than paying a detailer to do it up. Just wash it and be sure the tires are up to spec and fluids are up. If there are any known leaks or issues be up front about them. It will likely go further to sell the rig than letting someone see or discover on their own. Some people are pretty handy and a leak you didn't deal with because of cost may not be a thing to somebody with the know how and time. List it for a fair price and it will be gone in no time. I've generally sold my vehicles to the first person who has a look in person. People know if you're honest and can see an honest presentation of a vehicle. A vehicle of that type is right in the Craigslist shoppers wheelhouse so it's worth the price of listing in my opinion. It will happen fast for that rig in this economy. New vehicles are woefully out of reach for many, especially small truck shoppers.
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This ^^^^^ about covers it for me. And replace any missing fasteners holding shrouds in place, like this:
https://mechanics.stackexchange.com...ttons-that-are-attaching-the-shroud-to-my-car (So the vehicle doesn't look like it's falling apart!)

Please don't put that Armor All shit on anything. It gives it a fake "new" look, and I really don't like fake. It can also be dangerous, because it's so slippery. I recently got in and then out of the front passenger side of a used truck that had Armor-All sprayed on every surface. My shoe slipped on the door sill, and my back almost went out. Once inside, pushing my foot on the floor to sit back in the seat sent my foot shooting up into the firewall cover. I would have stubbed my toes if I was wearing sandals. Then bracing my hand on the dash to get out, sent my hand flying forward, and I just about fell. No way was I going to drive that truck, because the steering wheel was also sprayed. Oh, and I think the salesman maybe used Armor-All in his slicked back hair, which complemented his gross-smelling cologne. I got out of there pronto!
 
Josh said:
You mean like some windex and one of these?

View attachment 119218
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Basically skip the armour all on all surfaces. If you must treat some plastics with a silicone based appearance enhancer I highly suggest sc1. It's a new dirt bike in a can. But the beauty is it fades quick and doesn't leave a slick surface for long but actually seals and keeps stuff looking nice. Don't do everything with it. But a faded plastic mirror or other item can be brought back without a faux look that shows a perspective buyer you care. It's like any other silicone enhancement. It's best when you wonder if it's real or not. That's the art of it. If you are questioning and admiring you did it right.
 
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I sold a pickup truck a few years ago to a very cool guy at a very low price. We had to go into the licensing office together and they initially did not believe the price and wanted more taxes. We joked around, I showed the lady the wad of cash and ultimately he paid the right amount of taxes.. I only wished I had gone to that office before setting a price, because he apparently got a very good deal.
 
mcswny said:
Second this. I wouldn’t even change the oil. Any used moving vehicle (car or motorcycle), the first thing I would do is change the oil. No matter what the PO said they did (unless they have receipts).
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I was just about to say changing the oil before the sale is akin to lying about the condition of the engine. By big pet peve about buying used cars.
 
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