SELLING A CLASSIC MINI

So you have decided to sell your Mini, whether you are upgrading or deciding a Mini is no longer for you, this is an insight on how to market your mini.

We get many E mails saying something similar to this:-

So, Here Is A Guide To Selling Your Mini, this format will at least attract us!! If you would like us to value your car please click to our mini appraisal page

CORE INFORMATION

Make and Model
Colour
Year of Manufacture
MOT Expiry Date
Tax Expiry Date
Available Service History
Colour
Transmission type
Current mileage
Number of owners
V5 (Log Book) Present

DESCRIPTION

Walk around the car and note any imperfections, above all be totally honest. Then write a description detailing as much about the car as you consider relevant. Prepare and plan you advert, make sure all obvious details are included. Keep to the point; nobody is really interested what you call your car. Your potential buyer is purely concerned in getting value for his or her money.

GOOD POINTS

Here you detail all the accessories and all the plus points about you car, examples being new parts, recent panel changes etc. Mention here any service history details, the amount of old MOT certificates you have to support mileage etc.

BAD POINTS

In this section mention faults, such as rust and where it is located, and any mechanical faults. Be honest, buyers tend to get rather irritated if the door bottoms are full of rust and you failed to mention it for example. Always mention oil leaks!!

OVERVIEW

Write a short synopsis of the car detailing your location, price, availability of viewing and anything else relevant such as a willingness to accept part exchanges. Remove any personal stickers such as your favourite football team, and any risky slogans on the back window.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Taking long distance shots are a waste of time, as is using a cheap camera phone. A picture tells a thousand words.

Take pictures of all four sides of the car and any areas that you feel will sell the car such as interior, engine bay and boot floor. If the floor pans are totally rust free – take a picture. If you mention in the description that there is rust under the scuttle, show it in the photos. Also we recommend you take pictures of the “usual Mini rust areas”. Allow a minimum 12 pictures to sell a car quickly.

ACCESSORIES & MODIFICATIONS

Do not expect to get money back on Sports seats, alloy wheels, over the top I.C.E installations and whatever else that you have fitted to your car. You personal taste in accessorising you car may not be to everybody’s taste. Resprays no matter how good they are will not enhance values if done in some weird and wonderful colour such as pink. Of course, you may find a buyer that totally loves your modifications but don’t hold your breath.

CONSIDER YOUR IDEAL BUYER

In our experience road legal Minis are being purchased mainly by the following groups;-

First time car owners that probably have been driving for a short period of time, thus insurance is a real issue. These are the 998cc buyers, and the car ideally needs to be standard

Mid 30’s group who previously owned a Mini 10 / 15 years ago and can now afford a second car – These people will buy Coopers, and larger engined minis and be looking to pay top money for a car that is near perfect.

The hardcore group, Plus 40 that are looking for a Series 1 and have budgets in excess of £10,000

PRICE

Be realistic; look at Autotrader, Pistonheads and dealer sites. On line auction sites are subject to so much “alternative” bidding it is hard to know if cars are actually selling and making the advertised selling price.

Whilst specialist forums are an excellent resource for selling any item they do offer a fairly limited audience, continually going BUMP must surely tell you something? So if your car does not sell, start marketing in other marketplaces.

WHAT DO POTENTIAL BUYERS LOOK FOR?

In the main originality and standard specification, I cannot remember when we were asked to source a modified mini! If your car is subject to union jack door cards, sports seats etc consider putting the car back to standard then offering the buyer the option to purchase. Accessories make more money when sold on their own in our experience.

Most people realise that finding a Mini that has never been welded or painted is virtually impossible but they do expect that wing gaps to be correct, doors to fit correctly etc. Ensure any welding in the boot floor / floor pans is neat and tidy. So if your car has had the odd plate welded in, clean off the underseal, grind down the welds and prime and paint in body colour. Clear the boot out, a 5-litre water container tells me the car uses water!

Clean the interior and if you smoke try and disguise the smell.