Where to get an Approx. Depreciation of a car without books and records?

Sorry it doesn't work that way,
there is no standard deduction
because there are too many variables.
Most appraisals would not be based on paperwork,
but would be based on current condition of the vehicle.

 

"So basically you are saying a mint 308 QV with books and records is worth just as much as a mint 308 QV without books and records? I have to disagree with that statement."

I didn't make that statement, you just did...

I said there is no standard deduction, or "set amount" that you automatically remove because the car has no paperwork.
A seller asks a price, you either pay that price, or negotiate a different price.

 

I would agree with Dave that there is no standard deduction, but those factors would be based on negotiations. If you are shopping than you should have a comparison of comparable conditioned cars. Since there is no standard you will have to take the current condition of the car, factor the current selling prices and make a reasonable offer. If you provide more specifics then maybe some of the seasoned Fchatters/owners could throw some numbers out to you.

 

Yes and no. I think the way to think about it is that you don't deduct for poor records, but rather ADD to the value the better the paperwork is. This isn't just repair records, but any kind of provenance the car may have had. Racing history, famous owners, car show trophies....stuff like this will add value to a car. A great condition car with no records, while suspicious maybe, will still have the "market" value.

Ken

 

And then again a car that has records showing that it had a 30k service performed in 1991, is still a car that is going to need to have it performed all over again.
Are service and other records for the car good to have?
Well sure they are, but there is not an automatic point removal system for each document that you deem missing.
Point is, in the end the buyer and seller come to a reached agreement in the selling price of the car.

 

With out books and records, you have to assume that it will need a Major Service, new brake pads, rotors, a battery and fluids, and maybe even tires. Or maybe not! and the determination occurs at the PPI.

 

Well I'm no lawyer, so I can't give any legal advice...
All I can say is that this would never happen to me.
I have done a number of PPIs for people,
and if paperwork X is promised and not provided then the deals off... Always see before you buy!

 

Regardless what anyone says books and records make a large difference in value. I have no done quite a few exotic purchases and I would say that you can estimate at least $3000-$5000 deduction.
Steve M. wrote up a nice est. for me once on 308s and he knows his values pretty well.
Dave you are an idiot for saying something like that. Get a life.

 

I think the best you could hope for if you already did the deal and never received the books/records is the cost of new books. Records are nice to have, but don't really mean all that much. If a proper PPI is done and you figure out what the car actually needs, I think that is way more important than records. Like Dave said, if you have a record showing a 30k was done 11 years ago, you still need the service.I do agree however there are some buyers who are obsessed with records and wouldn't buy without but I would guess they are a huge minority. I would however want the books with my car and would assess the record situation on a car by car basis. If some shmuck was selling a Ferrari and wanted to meet you at a mall parking lot then yes records would be helpful, but if some guy owned a car for ten years and could tell you the history when he had it but not before you are back to the PPI.

 

Sorry if I hurt your feelings,
and my **** stinks bad!
I'm sorry someone got ripped off,
but buyer beware, if your not going to check out a car before you buy it.

 

I agree with Jeff but if you paid for the car and you didn't get them but they were promised you lost a good chunk of change. I am not that picky but I do my own work too. However if I do know that 308s sell for more with complete service history. So if I purchased one and paid slightly more for it because of a good service history I better get the records. Regardless many will pay a premium for a car with complete books and service records. Mike Sheehan I think does appraising. He could tell you.

 

Books are on eBay; look there.

Records aren't worth anything unless they show expensive services have just been done. If you're going to do a belt change anyway, that record is worthless. Most buyers figure they'll do a 30k regardless anyway. If you have a new clutch recipt, who cares? Were you planning on replacing it even if it was still strong? Nope.

Does anyone really do a 30k and sell the car a month later? If so, then great, he'll tack on the charge to the sell price. Records are best to varify mileage; that's the only big value I see in them.

Ken

 

The only way of getting a rough figure in writing is to approach a recognised specialist and ask them to make a statement based on the condition of your car with and without proof of maintence, milleage etc.,

 

Is the real issue here that you bought a 308 and were told it had all books and records, you paid and took delivery, and now the seller won't produce them so how much can you go after him for? If so, it is a little different story. Did they promise in writing?

 

So what I am seeing here is two scenarios,

A. The dealer said all records would be included but were not provided and the promise was not part of a written agreement.

B. Most of (A) AND the included records were part of the written agreement.

Doesn't this constitute Fraud?

In the case of item A I have heard that verbal agreements made at the time of sale while witnessed can be binding in some circumstances.

In the case of item B it looks like fraud.

How about a case of misrepresentation coupled with pain and suffering with a dose of simple pain in the ass! Whats it worth in court? 50k? 75k?

Any legal minds out there that could provide recourse for this guy?

DJ