Buying a used car from a dealer vs private seller - what's the price difference?

Transportation, Travel and Trips
1
I'm looking to buy a used expensive (for me) car - for about 50-60k, a used Mercedes V-klasse, an 8 seater.

The ads on autoscout24 are mostly from dealers, and I've already learned they are very firm with their pricing - they may lower a price by maybe 1k.

However, there are also private sellers, and wonder what prices are they able to get? What price they would get if they sold via a dealer? Is the dealer markup, percent-wise, on a 50k car lower than on a 10k car?

Thank you for sharing any insight on this.

2
Just depends on the dealer and where... but mainly what guarantee they offer. Whatever you do, get the Tourig Club or an independent garage to make a full assessment of the car before you go ahead- unless you really know what's what.

3
On a 50-60k car from a main dealer?? You're having a laugh aren't you!!

4
There are experts which can answer your question for a price.

http://b2b.eurotaxglass.ch/D/fzbewer...&login=no&sess =

You will get two numbers: The higher is what dealer will sell for, the lower is what a dealer will offer you, and in between is the private price.

5
A dealer may provide a guarantee a private owner cannot. A dealer will certainly mark up what they pay to a private seller, to carry the cost to you. So you can certainly save from a private seller for a lot less, without a warranty.

I just bought one recently from a private seller. It appears to be less than half of comparable cars from Autoscout and Blue Books. And the Service Heft history is complete.

I have to say that used cars in Switzerland are typically in pretty good condition, even from private parties. Particular because of MFK testing and service history tracking.

6
No Swiss dealer will work for less than some thousands profit on a car. So if you are looking at a sub 25k car is private obviously massively cheaper. When it comes to 50-60k as your Mercedes would I personally have a look at the "proper" garages.

In my experience is there not just a difference between dealer vs private... but much more "what dealer". I met some very dodgy used car dealers in CH and would bet my money that they either manipulate the mileage or sell you a repaired crash vehicle while pretending it's pristine. So in this price range would I look at Mercedes dealers or some of the grey importers. Problem with the importers is that they typically import former German company cars and those are rarely V Class vans...

7
Thank you - Eurotax gave me 53k purchase price and 62k sell price, so about 20% of markup. I'll use this to bargain then...

8
The car I'd like to buy would probably still be covered by a manufacturer warranty.

Is TCS able to check for things like large car body repairs? Eg. if the car is still symmetric, no cutting and welding of panels or undercarriage straightening after a heavy collision damage? That a car wasn't stolen?

9
Yes, they look good and have service history, doesn't mean they haven't been driven by an ape and only had the oil checked when the light comes on, etc etc.

How many times have you seen a bonnet up in CH on a station forecourt?

The MFK in CH is no more onerous than in other EU countries.

As always, it's buyer beware.

10
You should see what passes as a used car in other places. Rusted through and miraculously moving. It use to be so in neighbouring countries, but I think it has since improved with scheduled testing. Other countries have no scheduled testing whatsoever..

11
Indeed, the 986 we just got (from a dealer) has a three month warranty on the power train, pretty much standard here.

Tom

12
Always cut the middle man. If you are able to do the extra work of course.