Webuyanycar – 5 key issues in flipping cars from Facebook Marketplace

In this blog post, we’ll explore the process of buying a car from Facebook Marketplace with the intention of selling it to Webuyanycar for a profit. This experiment, based on a YouTube video, provides valuable insights into the used car market and the potential pitfalls of online car buying.

The Challenge

The goal was to find a car on Facebook Marketplace for under £1,000 and sell it to We Buy Any Car for a profit. This experiment highlights the importance of thorough research and due diligence when buying used cars online. This video was on Youtube recently from Calvin’s Car Diary – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAxe1xrmfT4&t=1s

Navigating Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace offers a wide selection of used cars, but it comes with some challenges:

• Limited contact information: Unlike traditional classifieds, phone numbers are not readily available, requiring buyers to message sellers and wait for responses.
• Varied seller experience: Some sellers may be new to the platform, leading to incomplete or inaccurate listings.

Search Strategy

To find potential cars, the video:

• Set a price range up to £1,500 (allowing room for negotiation)
• Focused on the local area
• Sent messages to multiple sellers expressing interest and requesting phone numbers

The Importance of Vehicle History Checks

One of the key takeaways from this experiment is the critical importance of conducting thorough vehicle history checks before making a purchase.

The experimenter checked the history of potential purchases. This service revealed crucial information about the vehicles, including:

• Mileage history
• Number of previous owners
• Accident history
• Outstanding finance
• MOT history

Pro Tip: Always use a reliable vehicle history check service like before purchasing a used car.

Case Study: BMW 3 Series

The first promising lead was a BMW 3 Series priced at £750. Initial checks seemed positive:

• Retail value: £2,000
• Trade value: £520
• MOT expired recently

However, further investigation revealed:

• Category N write-off (non-structural damage) in 2018
• Multiple ownership changes in a short period
• Discrepancies in the seller’s statements about the car’s history and condition

Key Lesson: Always verify the seller’s claims and be wary of cars with complex histories or frequent ownership changes.

Case Study: Ford Mondeo ST

The second potential purchase was a Ford Mondeo ST priced at £850. This car presented a more straightforward case:

• Clear vehicle history
• Single owner since 2019
• Cosmetic issues (dent in door, missing parking sensor)
• Needed MOT renewal

Negotiation Process

The seller initially refused to budge on the £850 asking price. After inspection, the buyer offered £400, which was rejected. Eventually, they agreed on £500, contingent on a test drive.

Negotiation Tip: Be prepared to walk away if the price doesn’t meet your profit goals.

Challenges of Buying Used Cars

This experiment highlighted several challenges in buying from used car market:

1. Incomplete information: Sellers may not disclose all issues or may be unaware of the car’s full history.
2. Overpricing: Many sellers list cars at or above trade value, leaving little room for profit.
3. Mechanical issues: Older cars often have hidden problems that can be costly to repair.
4. Short MOTs: Cars with expiring MOTs can be risky purchases and may require immediate investment.

Facebook Marketplace Seller Experience

The Mondeo seller shared his experience with Facebook Marketplace:

• It was his second time using the platform
• The car had been listed for two weeks
• He had received numerous inquiries but no serious buyers
• Most potential buyers were looking for unrealistically low prices

This insight suggests that serious buyers may have an advantage in negotiations, as sellers may become frustrated with time-wasters.

Webuyanycar.com

One of the key results was the experience at Webuyanycar when you are trying to sell to them. They use a grading system from 1 to 5.

1. is Showroom Condition,
2. is Excellent,
3. is Good,
4. is OK
5. is Poor

They base the initial offer on the car being in showroom condition, which is unlikely for an older car. So, the offer for you is highly unlikely to be what they offered on the website!

Buying cars from Facebook Marketplace is a challenging endeavour. Success requires:

1. Thorough research and vehicle history checks
2. Strong negotiation skills
3. Knowledge of the used car market and common mechanical issues
4. Willingness to walk away from potentially problematic deals

Selling cars to Webuyanycar.com is a challenging task.

One of the biggest headaches when buying and selling cars online is the difference between what the seller thinks it’s worth and what the online buyer’s computer says it’s worth. In this case, the seller wanted a whopping £850 for the Ford Mondeo, but We Buy Any Car’s online tool only offered £640. That’s a huge gap that can make a deal fall through.

Valuation Discrepancies

In the end the seller walked away from the deal as Webutanycar only offered £240. They graded the car as a grade 4. That’s a huge drop in value from the £640 they offered on the website to £240 in person.