To major or not to major... that is the question

I think most people would rather buy a car already serviced. If the shop has a good reputation and all receipts are available, that's the way to go, in my opinion.

 

Six or three twos, to quote my UK friends. If the price is discounted for the required service, should not make much difference whether you do it or not.

 

If I were a buyer I would prefer to have my shop do it with a discount in price, of course, and I could consider any additional preventive items to be addressed at the time of service - a seller, no matter how diligent about maintenance, is likely not motivated to do such items, or have a different thinking... Maybe list it initially with two prices, with and with-out fresh major... if it doesn't sell by due date of major, maybe consider doing it then.

 

I was faced with this question last year when I was thinking about selling. I decided to have the major done so I took it to a known excellent independent and had him do a PPI as if I were the buyer. I told him to be as thorough as possible.

Early this year I had him do everything he found in the PPI and everything else in a normal major service. I put new Michelin PSS's, had a new under tray installed along with 10,000 miles of nicks and scratches fixed.

Got it all ready to sell and was thinking about getting professional pictures done when I really started to think about what I would replace it with. I couldn't come up with anything that appealed to me so I've decided not to sell.

Long story short.........I had the major done

 

Dave- Good decision not to sell.

 

+1

I'd rather have my shop do the major.

 

Best news I have heard today...

 

Haha I could've told you you weren't going to sell it Dave

 

A fresh major is a plus for a buyer if a car hasn't been serviced for years, e.g. if it has been in long term storage. Peace of mind. But if records show you have been looking after the car well over the ownership period, and that a major is due soon, then, as Taz says, as long as you factor the major roughly into the price, I don't think it makes a difference.

Buyer might prefer to have it done elsewhere and seller might be happy to spare themselves the hassle.

 

I think a first time Ferrari owner would prefer a serviced car, ready to go. Seasoned owners likely prefer to have the service done by a shop they have built a relationship with and trust.

 

Agree with the statement that newbies will generally prefer to have a fresh service. The question now would be who buys 456's? I think it is usually a veteran ferrari owner...

 

+1. Exactly

 

I like this strategy.
Some people like a car serviced, some don't and prefer a lower price.
Only thing it might do is remind an impulsive buyer about maintenance cost... decisions, decisions .