Selling an S1

[RMJ891]

I'm not doing this now, but as a first time car owner, I was wondering if anyone had any tips for selling what is a relatively rare Audi?

Brokers like WBAC treat the S1 as an A1 derivative, and therefore do not give the appropriate value to it as a standalone model (I looked out of interest, and the quotation is already at the level I have as a GMFV after 3 years and 21k miles, even though it's just 4 months and 2k miles old). I dread to think how they'll value it after a couple of years!

I'm sure Audi would do some sort of deal (I'd aim for £2k over the GMFV), but if I wanted to switch manufacturer (I love the Cayman) then they say they'd just give me a basic WBAC price.

Does anyone know how best to maximise resale? Does anyone have any experience with sort of 'specialist' performance car buyers? I'm just thinking that I might want to do this in order to turn it in after a couple of years, particularly as I say to switch manufacturer.

Interested to hear thoughts.

 

[josedebardi]

Pistonheads is a good option as it attracts the right kind of buyer for a speciality car.
I've sold a £45k SQ5 on Autotrader though, so it doesn't hurt to put it up there!

The other thing to consider is asking your dealer about a Sale Or Return arrangement. That way it gets sold for dealer price, and many people would prefer to pay the small premium to know they are buying what is a premium car from a dealer. Because they are not putting any risk/capital in you can get them to the say just a £750 commission for the sale. £750 less than dealer price will be more than private sale price or trade-in value so it's a good deal for you.

 

[RMJ891]

That does sound good - thanks Jose. I haven't looked into their terms (and whether I'd have to pay for this), but I did think that maybe I could stick it on Autotrader 6 months before I'd ideally like to get rid of it for a grand or so more than I think I'll get for it - and hope someone bites! If you don't have to pay (other than commission when you sell) then I guess there's nothing to lose!

 

[Schuey]

That does sound good - thanks Jose. I haven't looked into their terms (and whether I'd have to pay for this), but I did think that maybe I could stick it on Autotrader 6 months before I'd ideally like to get rid of it for a grand or so more than I think I'll get for it - and hope someone bites! If you don't have to pay (other than commission when you sell) then I guess there's nothing to lose!

Try BCA sure sell, you will get a better price and pretty much instant sale. Fees are very reasonable too.

 

[RMJ891]

In an auction scenario, though, do you not risk getting a very low bid?

 

[Schuey]

In an auction scenario, though, do you not risk getting a very low bid?

No you set a reserve price, the auction centre will help you set this based on real time market data. From experience there are independent/non franchise dealers who would like this as stock. The centre will market this I'm sure as the S1 is a unique car which I doubt they see many of.

You won't get retail price obviously but it will be better than WBAC etc even though the auction houses own most of these sites now.

WBAC cars can fetch 20% margin or more in auction above what they pay you, so that should be a good indication on reserve price.

It's also pretty much risk free, no test drives, no payment concerns or time spent waiting.

 

[RMJ891]

Ah okay, that's good to know. My list price was £32,400 (albeit I didn't pay that), and my GMFV after 36mths and 21,000 miles is almost exactly £16,000, but I don't think it'd be unreasonable to hope for £19,000 back. I guess only time will tell!

 

[ChinsTTS]

Well I've been trying to sell my S1. Good spec and about £30k list. Best so far is £20-1k at around a year old. S1 seems to be getting a bit of a kicking residuals wise. Going to keep mine a little longer

 

[RMJ891]

Hmm that's disappointing. I expect that's something to do with what I mentioned before, that people see it as a top of the range A1 rather than its own distinct model. 33% of its value gone in a year is not great!

 

[willttqs]

just part ex'd mine yesterday, got 20k for it, it had done 12,500 miles. a family wagon 328i now...

 

[gingers3]

Hmm that's disappointing. I expect that's something to do with what I mentioned before, that people see it as a top of the range A1 rather than its own distinct model. 33% of its value gone in a year is not great!

thats why you should never buy a brand new car , demo or 1 a few months old is better buy
if you want new buy on pcp with minimum deposit

 

[ChinsTTS]

just part ex'd mine yesterday, got 20k for it, it had done 12,500 miles. a family wagon 328i now...

What spec was you're car ?

 

[willttqs]

not a bad one, 18s, keyless entry and flat bottom steering wheel. i am very happy with the part ex price thou

 

[gingers3]

i test drove an rs3 yesterday and i got offered nearly what i paid for my s1 , was nt blown away by the rs3 though!!!

 

[ACWKGYTO]

Try Sytner group used car buying team or Mike Brewer buys your car

Both have offered me decent trade prices in the past, without having to buy another car from them.

You just have to be dead honest about your car.

I part exd my S1 sportback after 8 weeks from new, got a good deal on it when I bought it but took a fairly big hit on it, even against an S3 8V on demo, so I basically paid full list new for the S3 (thats my way of justifying it)

They are quite a niche car, and a bit too close in price to the S3, great fun if you get a good one that wasnt put together by monkeys !

 

[RMJ891]

Yeah it looks as though I / you / we might get good deals from Audi if they want to shovel you into something new down the line, but unless it develops some sort of increased rarity and/or classic value over the next few years, it seems it might be a tougher sell.

That said, I think it would have been fairly predictable that you'll take a hit by selling after 8 weeks...

 

[ACWKGYTO]

Yeah it looks as though I / you / we might get good deals from Audi if they want to shovel you into something new down the line, but unless it develops some sort of increased rarity and/or classic value over the next few years, it seems it might be a tougher sell.

That said, I think it would have been fairly predictable that you'll take a hit by selling after 8 weeks...

True the VAT alone on a 33k new car is £6600

The VAT was pretty much what I lost

Without digging out the invoice, I know I got a hefty discount and very reasonable part ex on my m135i, was surprised they agreed to the deal

Looking back im not surprised at all. They were probably surprised, anyway it was a buzz but unfortunately the car wasnt right.

Car was registered new 23rd Jan, S1 sportback fully loaded and then sold 12th March to second owner £26850

Running those big dealerships cant be cheap, just the staffing cost alone is huge.

Tight margins as they like to say !

 

[gingers3]

not a bad one, 18s, keyless entry and flat bottom steering wheel. i am very happy with the part ex price thou

id class that as quite poor spec !!!

 

[RMJ891]

Yeah was gonna say - that would have been about £28,000 new?!