V40: Best way to sell my V40 D3

[mazzeradams]

Hi,
I have recently bought a new V40, and decided to sell my older Diesel version privately, but there just doesn't seem to be much interest for my car on Autotrader although it is a beauty with a fantastic spec, and the the call I have had, they have just messed me about.

does anyone have any useful suggestions they can recommend to sell my car without selling well below its value.

[Markos01]

Do you have a link? you might get some opinions on images or wording that might help.

[phil1968]

Ebay classified listing. I found advertising with Autotrader expensive for what it is.

[mazzeradams]

Hi,

sorry for the delay, here is the link to my car

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...?atmobcid=soc3

yeah, just havent had hardly any traction with Autotrader, and agree expensive.
we have also now put it on Gumtree, but still not getting interest

[Markos01]

Originally Posted by mazzeradams

Hi,

sorry for the delay, here is the link to my car

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...?atmobcid=soc3

yeah, just havent had hardly any traction with Autotrader, and agree expensive.
we have also now put it on Gumtree, but still not getting interest

I have some car dealer friends who say it's quiet out there at the moment so it could just be that, and you might just have to wait a week or two perhaps. Your images look fine, your text is fine too. What's the service history like? I'd add that in. Some spell out dates of service history too and if it was Volvo or specialist etc... if yours has FVSH I'd definitely add that.

As yours is high spec I'd be tempted to photograph any extras as images have more impact than text and it will reinforce yours as a high spec car.

The only other thing that sometimes helps is taking pictures in a nicer location than a driveway or normal road. I've always washed my cars then driven to the nicest roads I know and photograph them there!

[T5R92011]

TV adverts for cars never show traffic jams or 'other' road users/cars, they simply show the car with loads of open space around it to promote the idea of the freedom the new car will give to them.

Your pictures need to be solely of your car, in an open space when the sun is out.

I would also say that your car should take up approx 70% of the overall image, with the car being in the centre of the image and a border of 'space' around that car.

You want the classic 'angle' front shot the with the font wheels turned in towards the car so that the alloy side is facing the camera...

Remember that humans are taller than most cars and our eyes generally look down at them.
Therefore the car will look most natural if you hold the camera at the same height as your eyes, then tilt it down towards the car like this:




Not This:

[Markos01]

Originally Posted by T5R92011

TV adverts for cars never show traffic jams or 'other' road users/cars, they simply show the car with loads of open space around it to promote the idea of the freedom the new car will give to them.

Your pictures need to be solely of your car, in an open space when the sun is out.

I would also say that your car should take up approx 70% of the overall image, with the car being in the centre of the image and a border of 'space' around that car.

You want the classic 'angle' front shot the with the font wheels turned in towards the car so that the alloy side is facing the camera...

Without being specific, this is exactly what I was on about.

[DSK]

In addition to pictures as mentioned, people are generally poorer than ever before and price of you car is probably in that spot that many people don't have that sort of cash to hand/spare.

Most people end up going to a dealer (new/used) and financing a car rather than looking at a personal bank loan etc.

[Sotosound]

I'd put a year's MOT on it.

In the imagination of the prospective buyer a lot of bad can happen in the 7 months since the last test. I'd wonder why you haven't done this and look for a V40 with a year's MOT.

Also, 3 owners in 4 years is a lot. Obviously you can't change that, however. How long have you owned it?

Agree in some ways about the photos. They're a bit "in yer face". As for the backdrop, that's a nice clean neighbourhood as opposed to a scrappy old bit of broken concrete wasteland, but a rural backdrop or similar does look nice. However, I've sold vehicles photographed outside my house and with a park as a backdrop so it might not be a deal breaker.

I'd also be tempted to add a bit of emotional value to the description, e.g. "My lovely V40" etc. You call it "a beauty" in your post but just call it "excellent" in your ad.

Also, talk about the virtues of the car, e.g. comfort, ride, driving qualities, performance, economy etc. Lay it all out on a plate. We want the prospective buyer to salivate a little (but not during a test drive).

[Bendolfc]

Originally Posted by DSK

Most people end up going to a dealer (new/used) and financing a car rather than looking at a personal bank loan etc.

Odd really as a bank loan is cheap as chips in comparison to the cost of finance.