Autotrader price indicators

MarkMas

MarkMas

Chief pedant
Messages
8,960
dickygrace said:
It’s annoying in some cases, ie when your well priced stock comes up as ‘higher price’ but flip side is it is nice when it shows as ‘good’ or ‘great’.
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You could choose to see it as a compliment and a 'badge of quality' - "This car is a higher than usual price, so it must be a bit special"
 
gb-gta

gb-gta

Member
Messages
1,139
I pay absolutely no attention to them. They have no idea if the car has scratches and dents on every panel, falsified service history, rust, ripped seats, drug dealing back street trader, the list is endless.

I’m guessing it just compares year, miles, if any history has been ‘claimed’ and then compares against other similar models on site.

Sadly though, many many non car people will make decisions on it, ‘ooh, autotrader says it’s a high price’ give that a miss this one says it’s a ‘great price’. The internet must be true.
 
gb-gta

gb-gta

Member
Messages
1,139
Mattmaser said:
I think buyers of run of the mill stuff will take note , sensible buyers of specialist cars ignore them
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That’s true, but even buyers of run of the mill stuff shouldn’t take note, even though I suspect many would.
The system can only assume all cars are in the same condition, with no variation on spec, colour. Doesn’t know if the tyres are bald ditchfinders or new Michelins, brakes worn out, exhaust knackered.
Very quickly the ‘great price’ is not so much and the ‘higher price’ is actually cheaper.
 
DLax69

DLax69

Member
Messages
4,315
gb-gta said:
I pay absolutely no attention to them. They have no idea if the car has scratches and dents on every panel, falsified service history, rust, ripped seats, drug dealing back street trader, the list is endless.

I’m guessing it just compares year, miles, if any history has been ‘claimed’ and then compares against other similar models on site.

Sadly though, many many non car people will make decisions on it, ‘ooh, autotrader says it’s a high price’ give that a miss this one says it’s a ‘great price’. The internet must be true.
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Same. I have treated every red flag in my life as if it were a carpet.
 
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cheshiremaserati

Member
Messages
1,122
dickygrace said:
This is why the algorithms don’t work for things like Granturismos. It doesn’t account for facelifts, colour combos, gearbox choice, clutch and brake replacement, condition, history, number of owners, optional extras, and I don’t think it compensates correctly for different mileages.
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It is why both the Gransport and the 911 Turbo are insured on an 'agreed valuation' basis. This takes away any risk the underwriter of the policy scours the ads for 'market valuation' which is ridiculously stupid for both my cars in the event of a total loss.
 
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cheburator

Member
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145
If it’s any comfort to you, Richard, I have a close friend who is your equivalent in the BMW world. He sells only petrol BMWs and only 6+ cylinder models. He is disappointed if Autotrader tells him that his cars are below market or at a good price. He actually takes pride in pricing his cars at the high end of the spectrum. He has full confidence in his product and often says that he doesn’t want to deal with bargain hunters.

He knows that the person who calls and visits his dealership would most likely end up buying the car not because of the AT algo telling him that it’s a bargain, but because it’s the best E92 330i Sport Plus available for sale short of a new car from BMW…
 
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woody1144

Member
Messages
110
They are useful (with a pinch of salt) for the more mundane stuff i.e when purchasing a run about but for rare and unique cars, it's pointless.
 
c4sman

c4sman

Member
Messages
1,261
As everyone has said, it does influence me for volume vehicle purchases (e.g. golf GTI) but would completely ignore for something specialist like the Granturismo or other low volume motor.
 
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dem maser

Moderator
Messages
34,261
My opinion…….utterly pointless!

As an estate agent Zoopla has something similar with house prices which really annoys myself and a lot of the public. They value houses online based on algorithms etc not taking into account the condition, if extended etc

Auto trader is doing the same…..I never look at that, I know what a car is worth and I also know what my budget is and I work with that…..imagine calling up a seller and telling them AT reckon it’s overpriced and will they reduce by kkks….just won’t happen


Maybe works on naive people but not the majority
 
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Grays

Junior Member
Messages
26
Ultimately with rare/unusual vehicles it's what it's worth to you vs what someone will offer you for it. I have a 1988 VW Transporter Single Cab Pickup with a 2.1i engine, 5 speed manual, 65k miles, mint interior and exterior, and I'm the third owner. To *me* it's worth at least £18k if not more, but I've had a specialist dealer tell me that I should offer it for "no more than £14k in the current market and that's pushing it".

I simply wouldn't take that for it as I could never replace it again at that price. Besides which, my kids have told me that they'll disown me if I sell it :)
 

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DLax69

DLax69

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Grays said:
Ultimately with rare/unusual vehicles it's what it's worth to you vs what someone will offer you for it. I have a 1988 VW Transporter Single Cab Pickup with a 2.1i engine, 5 speed manual, 65k miles, mint interior and exterior, and I'm the third owner. To *me* it's worth at least £18k if not more, but I've had a specialist dealer tell me that I should offer it for "no more than £14k in the current market and that's pushing it".

I simply wouldn't take that for it as I could never replace it again at that price. Besides which, my kids have told me that they'll disown me if I sell it :)
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...wait. Your kids can disown you? I need to learn more about this...
 
ChrisQP09

ChrisQP09

Member
Messages
2,998
close to securing a special car, had a dealer offer me £20k for my GTS which is an offer akin to tyre kicking. I should add thats £12k below what HR Owen were giving me against a Bentley but I just couldnt get the numbers to work.
 
Nayf

Nayf

Member
Messages
2,752
lozcb said:
Generally as a rule the UK follows shortly after the US
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Interesting stuff.
I think the collector/classic market is more at risk from mortgage rates as that’s hitting disposable income.
In a normal time, if your 550 or whatever lost ten per cent of its value due to classic car market fluctuations, you’d simply hold on to until the market recovered.

Now the problem is different - the disposable income on the wider household is being hit hard so even if you don’t drive it, you still have maintenance and/or storage fees.

I never really saw the appeal of tracker mortgages, they always seemed like playing roulette.
 
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