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Off-road used car selling advice needed


Keithryan

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More often than not, when seeking for advice when buying second hand cars (SUVs in particular) we are told to ensure that said vehicle is not used offroad. It is suggested that we check every nook and cranny for traces of sand, etc.. This is particularly a head scratcher if coming from someone who regularly goes for desert drives.

Does this mean we don't find our cars worthy (perceived or real) of having equal value against the same model which was not used offroad? Or have we already accepted this fate, that our offroaded cars once we do decide to sell will not get a fair shake when compared to cars used as city dwellers only?

 

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25 minutes ago, Keithryan said:

More often than not, when seeking for advice when buying second hand cars (SUVs in particular) we are told to ensure that said vehicle is not used offroad. It is suggested that we check every nook and cranny for traces of sand, etc.. This is particularly a head scratcher if coming from someone who regularly goes for desert drives.

Does this mean we don't find our cars worthy (perceived or real) of having equal value against the same model which was not used offroad? Or have we already accepted this fate, that our offroaded cars once we do decide to sell will not get a fair shake when compared to cars used as city dwellers only?

 

I've had the chance to see one of the workshops in Ras Al Khor that prepares and cleans vehicles to be sold. They pull out the carpets, seats, and afterwards you won't find any traces behind that this car has been in the desert, so looking for traces of sand is in many cases not a fair reference.

Personally i don't mind buying a car that has spent some time in the desert, but in this oversupplied market where you can find one that's used as a lady-driven school crawler for the same price, i'd rather go for that option.

Selling a car that has been used as regular off-roader will affect your selling price, there is not mistake about that. And that's probably one of the reasons many of us are driving depreciated 20 year old vehicles in the club :) 

On a side note, what is "offroad use" ?

* Taking the car for camping trips with family on sand trails ?

* Dune bashing and flying on Faya ?

both are considered offroad. The first one will not hurt your 4x4 as it should feel at home doing these things. The second one is another story that our senior members can reiterate too 😉

 

 

Edited by Frederic
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However best you maintain, serious offroading does take a heavy toll on a car, be it the engine, gear, mounts bushing, etc. Its almost like 5 times the toll compared to onroad usage. Thats why the maintenance of an offroad vehicle is mugh higher compared to an onroad vehicle. 

While I do know some members who keep their offroad car in better shape than their onroad car, this is a rarity. Hence, the general assumption is that to stay away from a offroad vehicle as they have been reasonably abused and would have a limited life remaining. And what @Frederic mentioned hits the nail on the head, that when you can get plenty of onroad vehicles in good condition why take the risk of purchasing a vehicle which has been abused, especially when you intend to use it as a headache free daily driver.

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Very nice question asked @Keithryan, well done for putting this doubt in mind in writing.

Totally agree with @Frederic and @Srikumar

51 minutes ago, Frederic said:

I've had the chance to see one of the workshops in Ras Al Khor that prepares and cleans vehicles to be sold. They pull out the carpets, seats, and afterwards you won't find any traces behind that this car has been in the desert, so looking for traces of sand is in many cases not a fair reference.

These are called detailing shops and they are in abundance these days. Back in 2008 it use to be rare and every detailing shop used to charge 1000+ now you can get full car detailing inside out in 300-500 dhs depending on your negotiation skill and size of the car.

With such detailing you can only clean up the sand presence and not the offroad toll what Sri mentioned. Quick look around and under the car can still reveal its been regularly offroad or not.

 

1 hour ago, Keithryan said:

Does this mean we don't find our cars worthy (perceived or real) of having equal value against the same model which was not used offroad? 

1000000% YES

No offroad 4x4 or SUV will ever fetch same resale value as opposed to on road use car.

 

1 hour ago, Keithryan said:

Or have we already accepted this fate, that our offroaded cars once we do decide to sell will not get a fair shake when compared to cars used as city dwellers only?

Short Answer: YES

Long Answer: Depends on following criteria

  • No: 1 point what Fred mention: Define your offroad - Camping vs dune bashing. 99% of buyer wouldn't mind camping vehicle, but definitely stay away from dune bashing vehicle. That's why Safari driven "White LC" has the lowest resale value.
     
  • If buyer looking for offroad vehicle for dune bashing he/she will not buy previously offroad vehicle to have spare life for his next ownership. If buyer is buying 4x4 / SUV for road commute, then he may buy if you sweeten the deal little.
     
  • You may find a dreamers on dubizzle advertising 100K wrangler with 50K mod as a 150K selling price, but they will never fetch anyway close to the unmoded vehicle price unless they wait for 3-6 month for a one in million right buyer. So heavily modded 4x4 do attract lot of buyers but minus the cost of all mods you have done, as no one pays a dime for aftermarket mods, unless buyer is a genuine enthusiast.
     
  • Capable 4x4 looses very little value even with regular offroad use, if its well maintained - LC, Patrol, FJC, defender etc. as oppose to not very capable 4x4 or SUV when offroad use considered as an abuse.
     
  • Lady driven is a curse these days, that people stay away from this overly used term that raises truck load of suspicion, unless lady answer the call and comes out during viewing.
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15 minutes ago, Sidshk said:

But Isn't 4X4 are made to for off road driving ? Then why we are hesitant to buy ? its just a question out of curiosity 

Good question, like everything has a life or rather "USABLE" life. Same for 4x4, and there usable life depletes faster than on road use.

Sri gave an example of 5 times the load / stress while offroad and I can confirm that he is spot on and may vary from 3-5 times depending on the driver.

So if 4x4 supposed to have 300K kms onroad life, it may have 100K kms offroad life. Again this is very variable, but I am just trying to put in numbers to make it easy to understand.

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14 minutes ago, Sidshk said:

But Isn't 4X4 are made to for off road driving ? Then why we are hesitant to buy ? its just a question out of curiosity 

Not in today's world. It's more a style statement than for purpose. We see so many big American pickup trucks like Silverado, etc but do they carry any cargo?

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5 minutes ago, Srikumar said:

Not in today's world. It's more a style statement than for purpose. We see so many big American pickup trucks like Silverado, etc but do they carry any cargo?

Totally agree. The logo 4x4 does not mean much anymore these days, as many of these cars are AWD, but do not possess lockers or low gearing, making them almost useful for our deserts.

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  • Gaurav changed the title to Off-road used car selling advice needed
2 hours ago, Sidshk said:

But Isn't 4X4 are made to for off road driving ? Then why we are hesitant to buy ? its just a question out of curiosity 

Exactly. This is the ironic part of it. It is being used as how it is intended to be used but somehow it becomes detrimental to the seller's case. 

Edited by Keithryan
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