How hard is it to sell a Skoda?

[aslsw]

As I'm going overseas soon (for an extended period), I've got to cancel my salary packaging arrangements and try to sell the car. The problem is that I'm still 12 months out from the lease end date, and I want to make sure I at least cover the lease payout.

This is not a 'for sale' ad, more just a request for some reassurance. I guess I can continue to cover the lease payments while I'm away, but it seems crazy to be paying for as asset to just sit in the garage - even if it's such a mighty fine asset as the Octavia!

So, just how easy is it to sell a second-hand Skoda?

It's funny - when I bought the car I was pretty blase about resale values, as I just wanted that car, I could afford it and figured out that resale could wait for another day. And now that day has arrived...

[BluChris]

I traded my pre-FL Octavia diesel on a new car. TBH the experience was like any other car I've had. Price offered ranged from bottom to near top of the red book value depending on whether the dealer was actually interested in a sale or not. The dealer I went with (non-VAG) actually kept the car on their lot, so they couldn't have been terrified. Mind you, they did ask more than once if the DSG was dodgy and was going to do them in (it wasn't).

From what I've seen I suspect private sale will be slowish unless (a) it is a rare model someone with a VAG bent is looking for (b) the price is very good. I've seen some hang around forever, but then what they're asking is definitely in the 'tell 'em they're dreaming' category. I didn't sell privately because I didn't want to risk having to wait months to sell, but I tend to believe if the price was right it would have gone in a sensible timeframe given what I experienced with dealers.

[Twin_Dad]

It coudn't be as hard as it was to sell our Citroen C4. That took months and months.

[aslsw]

I guess I will go for a private sale initially to see what happens, but better list it sooner rather than later if it's going to take some time. I'd be happy to go close to or maybe slightly under the lease payout figure ($25k) if it goes, but I don't want to lose thousands on it.

The dealer has said he's happy to try to sell it for us if we get desparate.

Maybe the best option is to hang on to it until early 2014 when (1) my wife will be back for a few months and (2) the residual has decreased a lot more. I just don't want to run the risk of having the car here for sale, and having to rely on a friend to sell it for me.

[zei20t]

depending on how youre paying and/or being paid for the car. might be worthwhile to take a small hit on the sale price for the tax benefits at the end of the year - which will be here shortly.

[aslsw]

Didn't think about potential tax issues. Luckily I'm off to see the accountant this afternoon so I can ask her!

[The One]

I guess I will go for a private sale initially to see what happens, but better list it sooner rather than later if it's going to take some time. I'd be happy to go close to or maybe slightly under the lease payout figure ($25k) if it goes, but I don't want to lose thousands on it.

The dealer has said he's happy to try to sell it for us if we get desparate.

Maybe the best option is to hang on to it until early 2014 when (1) my wife will be back for a few months and (2) the residual has decreased a lot more. I just don't want to run the risk of having the car here for sale, and having to rely on a friend to sell it for me.

Friends are absolutely useless at selling cars and 9 times out of 10 buyers want to deal with the owner not a 'middleman'. Goodluck with the sale mate, if it's looked after and half decent, should be too hard to find a potential buyer.

[aslsw]

should be too hard to find a potential buyer.

I hope you meant NOT too hard!

It's in excellent condition throughout - frankly, I've loved this car since day one. But I still wonder about brand awareness - hopefully, selling in Canberra will be a bit easier as I see at least half a dozen every day.

[The One]

I hope you meant NOT too hard!

It's in excellent condition throughout - frankly, I've loved this car since day one. But I still wonder about brand awareness - hopefully, selling in Canberra will be a bit easier as I see at least half a dozen every day.

Sorry I mean't shouldn't haha. Umm basically it all just depends if you find someone who is actually interested in it, just put it up on carsales, get a carsales sticker and put it on your rear windscreen, put it on gumtree, these forums and possibly even Ebay.

[aslsw]

Are we allowed to advertise on here? I don't want to incur the wrath of my fellow Skoda lovers here (I fully intended on owning another one when I return to Australia).