tradegirl

Hi everyone. I have a near-mint Golf which has an annoying, very small cigarette burn in the passenger. Anyone have any tricks or do I have to get a guy in? I've never bothered before, but it's a nice car and the hole is fairly noticeable. TIA.

Oh ok. That makes sense.

You sell £18k cars from home with no finance? Forgive me, this is a genuine query, but what car is £18k and wouldn't be available on a finance deal from the dealer?

I've got a mint Golf at £9k and I don't think I'm going to sell that easily from home and with no finance. Let alone £18k Plus spending £18k to make £500??

3 sold all of August, out of a stock of 4-5. Two of those sales were last week. Left sold cars online though, and now stock is 6 (not huge I know) and it feels like it's gone quiet since Saturday.

Mark, a part of me would love to have the knowledge to do it. Not even especially for the job, just to be able to do it. And I don't mean repairs, I mean even just getting the car shined up perfectly for photos/viewings. Having said that, I have no indoor storage, so the rain would keep wrecking the effort. I understand what you mean though. We haven't used a SMART repairer yet, and definitely when I go it alone, it's something I'll be looking into.

Thanks EPV! Looking forward to learning some new skills. @Scooby who thanks for the advice. I'll pass on this one as 1. I don't have the tools yet and 2. They need to correct their work as it's not up to par. But will definitely look at the different tools and get practising. I'd love to be able to get a car polished up and looking its best, and I'd also love to be able to take out some scratches if needed. I'm under no illusion that I'll have learnt the skills any time soon, but in time I'm sure I can learn.

Thank you so much for the replies, everyone! I will look at the different machines and get things together. As it stands, the BMW is going back as they've done a crap job generally. I think they've even sprayed the exhaust pipe when painting the back bumper, unless black BMWs now come with a shiny black laquered exhaust . It actually looks good in black though haha. Time to switch bodyshops, as this was their last chance. I've been watching a few videos, and a lot use clays bars before going into the polishing process. Not sure how important that is. But I'll get my tools first, and update you! Thank you!!

Ok thanks everyone. @jason doyle motor sales I know what you mean. But I've honestly had enough of the back and forth. And if I take it back when there's no sunshine, I have nothing to show them. Probably the best bet for now though, and I'll get a DA polisher and practice on my sister's old 207 first haha. Thanks everyone.

Thanks twerp

Hi everyone. Can anyone recommend a car polisher? I have zero experience in machine polishing, and I'm worried I'll damage the paintwork. But we have a black BMW which was full of dings and dents, and had the side painted. It looks fine in the shade, but in the sun it's full of holograms. I'm not sure hand polishing it will get them out. But if there's no risk of damaging paintwork, I'll have a go. All I know is you have to go slow and fully work the polish until clear, then buff with a clean microfibre cloth.

Cars are full of leprechaun poo though.

I've never come across a Cat B on the road. Never come across one for sale, only ever C and D. Cat B as far as I know has always been breaker only, and these days you need to provide a certificate of destruction for it. But I don't know what was happening in 2010.

I have no poker face! My thoughts are written on my face lol.

I would have had such a sour face on me! Good on you for keeping it professional and getting a sale!

Despite the clearly brilliant advice from the gents on here, why are you looking to buy from noreserve anyway? Why give yourself hassle? Buy from a normal trader with the car prepped, inspected and you know it'll be sound. Despite the clearly brilliant advice from the gents on here, why are you looking to buy from noreserve anyway? Why give yourself hassle? Buy from a normal trader with the car prepped, inspected and you know it'll be sound.

You're a customer looking to buy a car? If so, none. They will deem the car rubbish in my experience, and it will be a waste of the seller's time, and your money. Find a sensible mechanic and take him with you, if you must.

Sounds like a hostage situation.

You really shouldn't be complaining at prices like that. You should be happy...or worried...very, very worried.

Hahaha!! "Isn't deflated", are we talking boobs, or is Sue blown up on cold, lonely nights?

JA sometimes it is just a waiting game, sometimes you can't do anything about it. I'm thinking over all the options of whittling out the time wasters, and only giving viewings to serious buyers.

Seen plenty of these on gumtree in the past. Always some remote location, like the most northern part of Scotland. Always willing to ship the car free of charge.

Lazz you've hit the nail exactly on the head. I do sail far too close to the wind, then when work is dead there's no backup. Honestly it rarely gets me down, but this pass week I've let it get the best of me. Going to go out now and polish the hell out of the cars, video every single one of them as best I can, and try and get my mindset right. Hopefully will get some sensible people this week.

Yeah same BMW. First one was early in the week. As it happens the car kept kicking up an EML which turned out to be the chain. Chain was done the day before the second viewing. I stupidly thought it a bonus to mention it. Turns out it wasn't. Exactly! Have to be a mind reader sometimes. "Why was the cambelt done so early?"/"Why hasn't the cambelt been done?" "Why is the mileage so low?"/"Shame the mileage is so high" They're like bloody Goldilocks Yeah that's true. What's the way forward though? AD's approach will filter out time wasters, but then you never know how many potential faster sales you will lose that way. The more this goes on though, the more I see the benefit in AD's method. "Can we come have a look?" is starting to get on my nerves. I'm seriously going to start banning test drives unless they're intending to buy or leave a deposit.

Desperate times!