"Sellers Car Inspection"

[Bater]

Anyone ever perform a "Sellers Car Inspection" on a vehicle you sold? Services like Aim Mobile Inspections say this can add value to a sale.



I have finally come to grips that I need to let the '91 CTD go along with our 99 Mercedes E300D. They are both near mint having spent almost their entire lives in the garage, only around 65 and 55 k miles respectively. Thinking that a service like this might be a way to get an independent certification of their condition. Worth the money?



Oh and you might ask why am I selling? Well yes my wife has worn me down since they are both rarely driven. We are also getting ready to sell our house that has a garage, and I just can't see storing these under a tarp or in the barn at the farm. The mice will definitely wreak havoc with any vehicle that isn't a daily driver; always have them jumping from machines once they start moving! (Yea, I have a cat. She is sleeping on the bed right now. )



Andy

 

[jgillott]

If you were selling common vehicles like a Honda or Toyota, I could possibly see where these car inspection services could be of benifit. They earn their fee from the seller in order to make the common buyer comfortable with a vehicle they are considering, much like the old days of taking a car for sale to your favorite garage for a once over. What you are considering selling are not common vehicles. They have their own very specific nitch markets and very knowledgable buyers. They are going to be quite able to consider condition and value of what you are selling.

Place that low mile 1st gen with detailed pictures on this site and the 300D on the equivalent Mercedes site (or even here for that matter) and they may go quite easily.

 

[AnOldBiker]

I agree and if you're asking the high end on price, if the buyer is real close to buying but has a hesitation, you might consider paying for the inspection then. That's if it isn't to expensive to do.

I only had one vehicle I did it with years ago. I had a cherry '65 Mustang and would only sell it to top dollar. The price then was only $50 for the written report. It checked out great, and the buyer finally agreed and paid my the price I was asking. Other than that, I never did another.

 

[Bater]

Thanks for the comments AnOldBiker and jgillott.



We are going to start on the pictures this weekend and I have taken a look at listings on eBay to get a sense of value.



When I told my wife I was plunging forward on selling these two vehicles she was a little wistful. Even though she kept telling me that I should sell them, she said she never expected that I actually would. It is the right thing to do though, they will deteriorate if I move them to less than optimum storage condtions.



Andy

 

[AnOldBiker]

Might I suggest looking at Kelly Blue Book when on the internet. I've used them in the past as a somewhat base price base for my vehicles.
They have the price recommendation for trade-ins and private sales.
Then you have something to look at and decide from there.

Never gone through eBay, maybe someone else can tell you of the pro's and con's with them.

 

[rscurtis]

You shouldn't have any trouble selling that Mercedes. It's considered a desirable model.

 

[Bater]

You shouldn't have any trouble selling that Mercedes. It's considered a desirable model.

Those are encouraging words, thank you. I listed the Mercedes today: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=131038314414



Will put the '91 CTD on next weekend. Can't handle the emotions of advertising two babies at once.

 

[jgillott]

Beautiful car... ... .

 

[Bater]

I listed the '91 Dodge CTD this morning, on eBay at: http://www.ebay.com/itm/131043494178

Andy

 

[Dl5treez]

Beautiful rigs. You should do just fine with them. Especially the Dodge--they've been getting a premium lately.

I'd love to have the Benz but don't have enough room in the garage---too many other toys right now.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Sweet Jesus! Already up to 10,100. 00 on the dodge!

 

[Bater]

Yea, everyone loves that pickup. Going to miss her.



I had her and the Mercedes at the shop down the road on Saturday so I could take some undercarriage pictures. The owner and mechanics totally fawned over the Dodge; the MB, not so much, even though it too is in excellent condition. Have seen this many many times over. It's a guy thing.



Will be interesting to see how this works out.



BTW, did have to change the title on the Mercedes on eBay. Had it listed as a "turbodiesel" which is what the rear nameplate says, but just realized last night that eBay wasn't showing it in search results for the word "diesel". So changed it to "Turbo" space "Diesel".



Andy

 

[AMink]

Bummer you have to sell it. I miss my 97 and wish we would have sold the stupid Expedition instead. Someone is going to get a nice rig.

 

[Bater]

'91 CTD with 64300 Miles Sold

The '91 Dodge CTD sold on eBay for $14,099.

Just after I listed her a classic car dealer offered me $14k to break the auction, but I didn't think that was fair.

Gonna miss her, but take solace that the new owners seem like very nice people. His dad used to own a Chrysler dealership.

He has his priortities "right"; his Kubota tractor is in one bay of their garage and the '91 is bumping his wife's car out of the other bay.

Now answering inquiries about the Mercedes, quite a few from California. I suspect that you probably couldn't buy a new MB diesel car out there in '99, hence some pent up used market interest.

Andy