I'm selling my P5. Advice needed.

[Kurtanius21]

I have a problem. I've never taken the car to a mechanic to change the oil, filter, coolant, ect. I have no maintenance records for the car. It only has 27,xxx miles on it, but still. Is there anyway to ease a potential buyer's apprehension of poor maintenance?

I have taken well care of the car. Amsoil filters only, Mobil 1, and prestone universal coolant.

[Metallic36]

As long as you changed the oil and kept up with it, I don't think a buyer should be concerned. I can't remember if I've ever asked for detailed reports on the care a car I was looking to purchase, and at dealerships you don't get that either that I know of. As long as you represent the car for what it is and are professional about it, I don't think the buyer would even question it. Now if it was making some kind of funky noise or gave me any reason to question it, then that would be a different story. But overall, I wouldn't worry about it.

[Kurtanius21]

This is your experience selling/buying used cars? Great news. I've never done this before.

[1991cc]

When I bought my P5 the previous owner didn't have any records either, he did all the work. I wasn't at all concerned about it because he was a really nice guy, and the car was super-clean.

[pasadena_commut]

I have a problem. I've never taken the car to a mechanic to change the oil, filter, coolant, ect. I have no maintenance records for the car. It only has 27,xxx miles on it, but still. Is there anyway to ease a potential buyer's apprehension of poor maintenance?

I have taken well care of the car. Amsoil filters only, Mobil 1, and prestone universal coolant.

Next time get a log book for the car. Note in it when all service work is performed (date, mileage, and description), and staple in receipts for the oil, filters and so forth. This is enough to keep you out of trouble should the car require warranty work when you are the only person maintaining it. It will also help you keep track of when you did things, and as you just discovered, the car will be easier to sell if you have records.

When buying used cars I value the presence of complete service records extremely highly. A seller who has those is generally the type of person who has been diligent about maintaining the vehicle.

[widgit117]

Not that many people maintain the records on their cars like that. I for one don't. I have a shop do the oil change and other maintenance. Matter of fact I drive 80 miles from where I live to get it to the shop.

In my eyes, if you have kept good care of the car it will show. A clean engine bay, interior, and a fresh coat of wax will help. If your car looks like its been maintained properly then most people will believe you, and those who don't were not that interested anyways.

Good luck on the sale, I won't buy it. I already got one.

[P-Funk!]

When you open the oil cap and see that the top of the engine is so clean you eat off it - that i sbetter (IMHO) than 'records' ;)

(Mine is still sooo clean at 200K miles. ;) )

[MaxPower]

Just be honest with the buyers. If they trust you, that'll be the most important thing. But you should definitely keep a log book of all the work you do.