Should I get MOT before selling?

[Captain Jack]

As per title, really! Once I sort out the starting issue (3rd day on Easy Start), I intend on polishing the car up and putting it up for sale. So... should I MOT it before selling? The MOT runs out in mid-February 2014 and it, at the very least, will need its handbrake adjusting. Rear tyres will probably get an advisory as well, though other than that, I am not aware of any other MOT failing items.

As it still has 3 months left, is it worth putting a new MOT on before advertising?

[trufflehunt]

As per title, really! Once I sort out the starting issue (3rd day on Easy Start), I intend on polishing the car up and putting it up for sale. So... should I MOT it before selling? The MOT runs out in mid-February 2014 and it, at the very least, will need its handbrake adjusting. Rear tyres will probably get an advisory as well, though other than that, I am not aware of any other MOT failing items.

Yes.

My general yardstick is that when I look at a car for sale, roadside, eBay.., anywhere...
if the car has less than 6 months MOT left, then I'm instantly in "Hhm, needs an MOT soon.." mode.
Which means more spend,annoyance etc.

Whereas, if the car has a good long MOT then that at least is one area where I can relax for now.

[lozz]

iagree.
afull mot is a good selling point.especially this time of year,

it will add value to the car too,
but ithink itd still sell quick with the 3mths, as its a lovely motor,

[Doggy]

MOT it. I thought long and hard about buying this one with 6 months.

Even if it fails, proof that it would pass with a handbrake adjustment and maybe a tyre or two, is almost as good, (I would risk buying in those circumstances).

[davew]

if you are fairly confidant it will pass i would mot it, there are loads of 406 for sale and a fresh mot will help sell it

[Welly]

As said, for the sake of £50.00 it'll help it sell and also stop you being badgered on the price.

Apparently Kwik-fit are doing a voucher code thing on MOT's @£15.00 but I'd be wary that it's designed to 'get you in' and then start saying you need brakes, tyres, eggsauces........(just my opinion of course) but lets face it who'd be happy spending an hour on an expensive MOT machine only to see £15.00 from it?

[Captain Jack]

Thanks all - thought as much. Will take it to my usual garage. They actually said that if I ever wanted to sell it, I should come to them - so we'll see if they make an offer on it!

[lozz]

Becareful with Garage's. normaly they will pay less than what theyd give for them then buying at auction.
private sale is the best way to go imho.


http://www.whatsmycarworth.co.uk/

[Welly]

Maybe they meant they'd be happy to scrap it for him

[Captain Jack]

http://www.whatsmycarworth.co.uk/

It reckons £1400 for a "good condition" car But that's with 120k on the clock, not 160k like mine is. Still... something to aim for.

[lozz]

ive seen afair few bring in good money and they've been in a condition id walk away from,

from what ive seen in the past on here with your posts you've looked after yours realy well

its not a brandnew motor so don't kick the tyres on your own car,

ithink best thing to do when your selling a car,advertise it for slightly more than you want for it coz everyone loves to haggle.

[Welly]

They used to say that mileage had a value (+ or -) of £30.00 per 10,000 miles.

They're all worth different amounts but you need to point out the positives (like new clutch) so the buyer won't need to worry about that. I have to say the most important thing is making the car *super* clean inside, nice 'just hoovered' stripes in the carpet and all that - buyers love it. I think if you can't be arsed to hoover the thing then what else don't you bother checking.....

[Captain Jack]

Agreed 100%. I hate nothing more than skanky looking photos - how much of your precious time will it take to clean the car? An hour at most to get it looking presentable...

It's what attracted me to the 407 I am buying - clean in the pictures and just as clean in reality.

[Welly]

Here's a tip (for the photo's) - after the hoovering, leave any mats out of the photos, and get a hot damp cloth and wipe over the carpets - they take on a darker look and like they've just been wet-vac'd and you don't need much moisture either. The exec carpets come up particularly nice.

The Frenchman who came to buy mine thanked me personally for cleaning the car so nice, he was 'downgrading' cars so was really pleased it was so clean.

[Doggy]

£13,725.72 for mine!
Anyone find this a tad optimistic?