| Always remember when you're appraising second | | | | are several can result in the vehicle not being "sharp". |
| hand cars you are buying a used cars. Approach the | | | | 8. |
| transaction as if you were spending your own money! | | | | Open bonnet, check visually for oil leaks, service |
| Take your time! Remember if the customer were to | | | | stickers, timing-belt replacement markings. Cross check |
| get an AA report done on second hand cars you | | | | with service book. |
| were selling them, the engineer would go through it | | | | 9. |
| from A-Z, forensic style and it would take him | | | | Inspect bonnet-mounting bolts, wing mounting bolts to |
| approximately two hours. A Toyota Yaris is a lot | | | | see if have they been tampered with. Check side |
| easier to appraise than a Mitsubishi Evolution, so if | | | | valances, headlamp mountings etc. for any abnormality. |
| you’re talking to the customer prior to them coming | | | | If in doubt, revert back to Golden Rule 1. |
| in, ask them to allow enough time to demonstrate the | | | | 10. |
| new vehicle and appraise their trade-in properly. Also | | | | Check the roof of the vehicle. If someone has walked |
| ask them to bring all documentation, VLC, VRC, | | | | across the roof, for example, it is almost impossible to |
| service history, handbooks etc. with them. | | | | repair properly, bar putting on a new roof-skin, which is |
| Try and do the trade-in appraisal early on in the | | | | hugely expensive or filling with Isopon. Both options |
| negotiations and get the details like a motor check and | | | | depreciate the vehicle and most likely excluding it from |
| accident report while the customer has tea or coffee. | | | | retail sale. |
| Remember these Golden Rules | | | | 11. |
| 1. | | | | Open the boot, lift boot mat and check for any |
| If you are not proficient, get someone who is, to help | | | | abnormalities. |
| you, preferably someone with mechanical or | | | | 12. |
| bodywork experience. | | | | Sit inside car, check steering wheel for wear |
| 2. | | | | (shininess), drivers floor mat and pedal rubbers for |
| The trade-in needs to be accurately/professionally | | | | excess wear, always a good indicator of a "high miler". |
| appraised. Never examine a car if it is dirty, while it is | | | | Check cigarette lighter, has it been used?? If the car |
| raining, still wet, or in bad light. | | | | has never been smoked in, that's a bonus. Check the |
| 3. | | | | roof cloth, interior trims for wear and tear, cigarette |
| Always use a professional appraisal form. Have the | | | | burns etc. |
| customer sign the appraisal on completion. (They may | | | | 13. |
| damage the car before they collect their new one). | | | | If the car is an import, be extra vigilant. Double-check all |
| 4. | | | | of the above. Check the chassis no. (VIN) if it begins |
| Test-drive the vehicle. Check the vehicle on full lock for | | | | with SABTVRO it means the vehicle was previously |
| velocity joint and steering/suspension problems. Take | | | | registered in Great Britain on a "Q" plate, which means |
| the customer with you. They will be impressed if you | | | | the authorities cannot verify its origin. |
| adopt a thorough method of appraisal. If for whatever | | | | 14. |
| reason you cannot test drive the vehicle, start the car, | | | | Spare key?? Make sure they have it or deduct |
| leave it running, after a few minutes "rev" the engine to | | | | accordingly. Always pay attention to number plate |
| 3000-3500 rpm check for excess smoke from | | | | surrounds, rear window stickers, tax holder stickers, |
| exhaust or abnormal sounds from the engine. If in | | | | key rings, if they all match and are from a reputable |
| doubt revert to Golden Rule 1. | | | | dealer, good. "She came from a good stable" |
| 5. | | | | 15. |
| Establish the exact model e.g. is it an L, a Freedom, an | | | | Always ask the customer has the car had any |
| LX or a Ghia? Do not take the customers word - | | | | bodywork or paintwork? There is a big difference. |
| check documentation. Also the Car Salesman’s | | | | Ask what was the cost of any repair? Ask to see |
| Guide for model changes/facelifts in that year. | | | | receipts. Do not be embarrassed to ask! Be warned if |
| 6. | | | | the vehicle was damaged, you are entering a minefield. |
| Establish how many owners the vehicle has had | | | | Has it had light damage and was badly repaired? |
| (double-check documentation). | | | | Worse still, has it had major body damage and been |
| 7. | | | | expertly repaired. Vehicles having had repair suffer |
| Develop your own routine for examining a vehicle, | | | | from depreciation to some extent. CHEAP |
| slowly walk around the car, several times if necessary, | | | | BODYWORK IS FALSE ECONOMY. Was the car |
| taking note of paintwork abnormalities, panel alignment | | | | stolen and recovered? If it was, it is most likely |
| and gaps. Look down both sides of the vehicle, on | | | | registered in the insurance companies name claims |
| your hunkers, to get a better view of shopping trolley | | | | department and recorded. Revert back to Golden Rule |
| type marks/dents "dings" as we call them. These | | | | 1. |
| types of marks are very difficult to repair and if there | | | | |