Wish pre purch inspectors wouldn't give valuations

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tgray, Oct 6, 1:55pm
I had two this week, who said the cars they were checking are not worth the price being asked and almost lost the sale because of this.
If they sold cars and had a clue, I wouldn't mind so much, but when they have no idea and start spouting valuations (which they are not paid to do), it gets annoying.
I had to assure my customer that my 'mint' 2003 nissan for under $5000 was actually a good buy, despite him being told otherwise by the inspector (who by the way did not fault it!).
The other one this week, I was actually offered more for it before the inspection, to which I refused. I know it was worth more than asking price.
My message to pre purchase inspectors! Do what you get paid for and inspect the vehicle! You don't sell cars and have no business telling customers what you think they are worth.
By the way, both cars sold for asking price in the end.
franc123, Oct 6, 2:10pm
And how do you know that YOUR valuations aren't unrealistic!The inspectors mothers cousins brother in law may have bought a similar vehicle for far less than your asking price only weeks before. Vehicle inspectors and mechanics also get annoyed (or sometimes amused) with dealers giving mechanical advice, including misleading rubbish like buying cars with underengineered timing chain systems that cost a fortune to repair instead of those nasty snappy cambelts that are relatively cheap to fix if maintained as they should be. So it works both ways re spouting about things that a particular segment of the motor trade knows nothing about.
tgray, Oct 6, 2:28pm
So if you were selling a car and you know if was one of the cheapest on trademe and the AA man doing the check starts telling the customer that he thinks your car is worth $1500 less than your $4995 asking price (at the start of the inspection, so not based on condition but on his opinion of the model only)you are OK with that!
chebry, Oct 6, 2:36pm
You must be overpricing if its that obvious to someone whos not a dealer. If you didnt pay 5k for the car why are yoy asking that much
franc123, Oct 6, 2:37pm
I would only be unhappy if it was $1500 less than what the actual SELLING prices at auction had been, asking prices aren't worth a pinch of car salesmans hair gel. But in saying that there are certainly a huge amount of private sellers asking silly prices for vehicles on here too, its often possible to get a better deal from a dealer, especially if its a trade they don't really want.
gunhand, Oct 6, 2:52pm
Yes, yes most dealers buy a car for 5k then resell it for 5k, thats how they make a living. Good busines sence that.
edangus, Oct 6, 2:58pm
So what is the reasoning behind the new registration plates on the mint vehicles you have!
To me that instantly drops the price by at least $1K from your asking prices.
As far as I am concerned the inspection guys are paid to give a value on the vehicle. I pay them not you. If you paid them, well then they would be obliged to look after your interests not mine.
You know what, you still don't have to sell the car to them for a lower price either.
carstauranga001, Oct 6, 3:30pm
I'm with tgray on this one. The proofs in the actual sale price which he actually achieved. We often get silly offers for a mulitude of reasons. Most likely one is the purchaser can't actually afford the car. In most cases the car is later sold at a lot higher price. If an offer is reasonable to start with most of us will take the money and move on. Buty hey, shoot me down to as I'm just another dealer going to work to make a living.
usdefault, Oct 6, 3:47pm
'Mint' 2003 Nissan what!
a.woodrow, Oct 6, 4:48pm
Are you serious! why would a vehicle with new plates be worth $1000 less!
tgray, Oct 6, 4:56pm
(quote)
As far as I am concerned the inspection guys are paid to give a value on the vehicle. I pay them not you.
Wrong!
The AA are NOT paid to give a valuation on your car, if they arrive at your place to do a pre purchase inspection.
As a Registered car trader, I have sold 96 cars in the last 6 months from a 4 car carport, so feel I know the value of cars, cheers.
thewomble1, Oct 6, 5:41pm
Not necessarily .you may be selling the cars too cheap and that is why people are buying them.
edangus, Oct 6, 5:41pm
Dubious history. Stolen/Recovered would be the worst written off and revinned would be next. Most preferred would be changed personalised plates.

Hey if someone is going to front up (on record) as to why plates have been changed, then all good, otherwise buyer beware.
edangus, Oct 6, 5:48pm
These inspection guys are the only heads up some car buyers have. People pay for an inspection and hope for an opinion too.
Why are you so offended that others have a different opinion to the market value of a car! You have the knowledge of vehicle value in your hands, why be upset when others offer a novice a hand!
Much as I loathe the AA (and think their Inspection is worthless), do they not offer insurance! Perhaps that is where their valuation differs from yours!

You still have the choice of not selling the car. Call their bluff.
usdefault, Oct 6, 6:12pm
I can see the headline now.

"Car dealer caught out selling over priced car shock"
tgray, Oct 6, 7:28pm
It's not about car dealers, it's about people such as the AA going beyond their level of expertise and deciding to tell consumers their personal opinion on car valuations, when they are employed to simply report on the condition of a particular vehicle.
It's easy for you all to disagree, but if an AA inspector told your customer this and you knew he had no idea, you would think differently.
I sell 200 cars per year and it's my job to know the value of cars, whether auction, private or yard prices.
I'm not posting anymore, as my point has been made and I can't be bothered having to 'defend' my position.
chebry, Oct 6, 10:10pm
I know how the car trade works buy low sell high pocket the kickbacks for finance deals but these are old import beaters not late lightly used cars
snoopy221, Oct 6, 10:22pm
two this week, who said the cars they were checking are not worth the price being asked

End of IM HO//
Been damnn20/30 years in the trade
K

PRE PURCHASE INSPCTIONSINCLUDE PRICE.
IMHO
Piece of crud 2 K xcheaper!
Minter low k !
bogged and .
Known given faults re age and mileage- / subaru cambelt./.
stevexc, Oct 7, 11:57am
So no one is allowed to make money buying and selling older cars, they have to be fresh imports!Did Joseph Stalin tell you this!
supernova2, Oct 7, 12:12pm
Lets look at it this way.I personally think that petrol is only worth 20 cents a litre.I know lots about petrol cause I use it so therefore would i be justified in telling everyone that they should use 91 rather than 98 as 91 is the cheeper option.Yes I know it will be rubbish in their car but.

Is that any different to asking a car inspection service to comment on the price being asked for the car!

Perhaps I should ask a plumber which brand of switch I should install in my bathroom.He should know after all its close to the water and pipes.Or perhaps a dentist about my piles - obviously directly related to the masticating function of my teeth on my food.

In case you haven't worked it out i agree completely with the OP - an inspection service is NOT qualified to express an opinion on the valve of a car.
curlcrown, Oct 7, 12:15pm
Some inspecters we do not allow to look at our cars. One guy inspected a car of ours and it wouldn't start after he messed around with it. Another supposedly needed to have $1500 spent on it and it has been driven from Howick to Massey a dozen times while in oup possession without any issues.
arabian1, Oct 7, 4:14pm
I have someone wanting to send the AA out for a 1967 Rolls Royce for inspection, so where does that leave me, the car is 46yrs old and I doublt any of the AA would even know anything about them to be honest
sw20, Oct 7, 4:20pm
They aren't the right buyer for the car. When something goes wrong in six months time they will be on the phone asking you to fix it.
murray55, Oct 7, 4:29pm
You sell 4 cars a week !Out of a 4 car carport ! Have you proof of this !
rovercitroen, Oct 7, 7:14pm
I had a buyer of my Jaguar S3 (1984) insist on an AA check. So I reluctantly took it to the AA and the inspector spent the first few minutes telling me what a heap of shit they are. I told him afterwards, and the manager how unprofessional I thought they were. Avoid the Hamilton AA testing place at all costs. That is not the first time I have had "issues" with them. Muppets!