240 General: Inherited a 240... Open to ideas

[JohnHat]

Hi all, new poster to the forum, so apologies if I ask any daft questions. In short, please be nice! :-)

Short version. My mother is 91, and has owned this Volvo (240 SE Manual, 2319cc) from new (1992). Her eyes have gone now though, and she's given up driving, and I've "inherited" it. Its been garaged the entire time, and has just sailed through its MOT - so 12 months MOT on it and (relatively) low mileage (150k). Its in good condition but there are a few faults. Its missing one of the headlight wipers and the driver's electric window doesn't work is what I've found so far.

To be honest although I have a soft spot for the car, both my wife and I have cars and we don't need a third. Equally if we were going to sell it, we need to get top dollar as - to be brutal - the money will go towards mum's care home fees.

Advice and thoughts welcome. If someone could give me any idea on what would be a fair price for it that would be awesome.

[Challo]

Prices are all over the show for 240's often with people trying to sell for a lot more than they are worth.

Do you have much information on the MOT status (advisories etc), service history, does the car have any rust?

240's are desirable, but it really depends on condition to how much you will get for the car.

[JohnHat]

Many thanks for your reply. In short:

No advisories on the MOT, and service history will be religious at an ex-main dealer independent (John Simmons in Essex).

Rust - a few spots on the rear wheel arches is all I can see.

I absolutely agree about the price. As far as I can tell it could be worth next to nothing up to seriously useful money (from a care home point of view), and also have had the same problem looking online that the range is so wide I've not got an idea where to start.

[Othen]

If you decide to sell it might be worth skimming through the 'Seriously?' thread in this section; here is a link to a post containing a price guide to 240s that generally proves to be pretty acurate:

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showp...postcount=1115

Alan

PS. Here is the price guide:

As a guide I'd say (from what I've seen things apparently sell for - not ridiculous asking prices):

a. Rough cars (anything with barn find in the title, cars needing welding to the sills or rear arches, MoT failures): make less than £1000.

b. Middling cars: 1981 and later cars with 100-200,000 miles, a bit of history (maybe the past decade, the stuff before that is just for interest), a long MoT and no obvious welding or repairs needed: make £1,500 to £3,000.

c. Very good cars: 1981 and later cars with less than 100,000 miles, full history, long MoT and in really good condition make £3,000 to £4,500.

d. Historic cars (1980 and older) will generally make 50-100% more than the above categories.

The above is just my observation of the market, it will not stop people hawking around rough cars for £3,000, mediocre cars for £6,000 or very good cars for silly money. I don't think they often achieve their asking prices and just spend months or years on the market until the owners give up.

[JohnHat]

That is really, really helpful, many thanks, you're a star :-) I shall have a look at the link posted.

[Bob Meadows]

Hi:~
The headlamp wipers can be obtained via ebay/suppliers or place a wanted advert on the appropriate forum wants section.
Front windows- I would check the door switch first- a clean up may work.
The motors are fully serviceable (see write up etc) it may have seized due to water entry and not difficult to fix.
You can do a temporary swop test between the doors with the switch as a quick test.

These cars are in the state of flux with regards to prices- If at all possible I would try and keep/use it as the market is rising so you may reap the benefits.
Good Luck
Bob.

[Stephen Edwin]

Originally Posted by JohnHat

..... service history will be religious at an ex-main dealer independent (John Simmons in Essex). .....

Thank you. You have asked for advice. You have given that useful information for the Forum.

I have found that John Simmons is retired. The firm is now Volvo Car Services, Wickford Essex. I have spoken with their head mechanic, Mr John Turner. He is certainly "red block aware". I will visit that garage and report back to the forum in a new thread. This will not be quick by me.

Thank you again John Hat.

*****

Your real issue is care fees. Please obtain expert independent advice. And my best wishes to the person needing care.
Well your REAL issue is that person's wellness and life quality. One serious need is regular ongoing interaction with family. Trust me, I learnt the hard way.

Stephen


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