Fix and flip - should fluids be done before selling?

[dishdude]

I would check all the levels and do a visual inspection of the fluids, change if dirty. Same with the engine and cabin air filters, if they aren't due for replacement why change them?

What about the front end? Brakes? Suspension?

 

[fdcg27]

The car will be listed for high 3k.

Then you should do little to nothing.
If you have one potential buyer really close to your asking, throw in a free oil change.

 

[Lyman]

It would depend on the condition of the fluids. If it needs something, I'd take care of it.
When I bought my Jeep Cherokee the seller had changed all the fluids. Axles, Xfer case, Trans, Coolant, and oil.
I was a little shocked. I ended up flushing the trans myself as my OCD got the best of me. I also changed the oil early.

 

[meep]

I work on cars from time to time with our church ministry. We do oil changes for folks in dire need at no cost. Some vehicles are nice and they trust us more than local mechanics, some vehicles are rolling in on 3 donut spares. We are supposed to change oil, light bulbs, and top off fluids.

I’ll make judgment calls, armed with the mityvac. At times I might suck out 3-4 quarts of ATF if the stuff in there looks like motor oil. Many of these people drive gently and cautiously and can get crazy miles out of 4th owner vehicles. Doing partial fluid changes for proven road-warriors can go a long way. Super tech fluids, recycled oil products can be had at reasonable cost for lower tier vehicle work.

 

[Shel_B]

I work on cars from time to time with our church ministry. We do oil changes for folks in dire need at no cost.

That's terrific. Volunteerism, and doing something for your neighbors and for your community, is very rewarding for all involved

 

[Kira]

since you won't see a return on the investment.

^^That's not a guaranteed truth by a long shot.

When I sold my sister's Jeep ('99 XJ w/171K), the engineering parents of the college bound daughter, were ecstatic that the fluids, ignition and hoses had been recently done. I priced it higher than most vehicles with an odo at 171K.
The Cherokee was "ready to go".

The daddy noticed that the tires were growing thin of tread AND that they were evenly worn.

Keep in mind that there's a difference between a 'local-to-a-neighbor' sale and a sterilized "Foxtrot-you-It's-as-is" sale.

 

[Hootbro]

^^That's not a guaranteed truth by a long shot.

When I sold my sister's Jeep ('99 XJ w/171K), the engineering parents of the college bound daughter, were ecstatic that the fluids, ignition and hoses had been recently done. I priced it higher than most vehicles with an odo at 171K.
The Cherokee was "ready to go".

The daddy noticed that the tires were growing thin of tread AND that they were evenly worn.

Keep in mind that there's a difference between a 'local-to-a-neighbor' sale and a sterilized "Foxtrot-you-It's-as-is" sale.

May not be a guarantee truth every time but in the aggregate it is more times than not.

 

[Lubener]

At 3K I would just change the oil.

If I were buying, I wouldn't want to see a fresh oil change done unless there was a warranty involved. . It could indicate someone is masking a problem.

 

[Shel_B]

If I were buying, I wouldn't want to see a fresh oil change done unless there was a warranty involved. . It could indicate someone is masking a problem.

Help me understand what problem fresh oil might be masking. Offhand, I can't think of one. What problem can be discerned by looking at used oil on a dipstick? What warranty might be involved with an old car having 138k on it being sold for $3,000?

Speaking for myself, if I was buying an inexpensive old car, I'd welcome a fresh oil change.

 

[andrew_j]

If I were buying, I wouldn't want to see a fresh oil change done unless there was a warranty involved. . It could indicate someone is masking a problem.

The typical 3k car buyer would be very happy they would not have to deal with an oil change shortly after buying a vehicle.

When it’s yearly state inspection time for our vehicles and if they have above 3k oil gets changed my wife’s dismay. We run 7k-10k oci . I don’t want to be back in a few months dealing with it..

 

[demarpaint]

For a flip. I would detail the car, address obvious problems, make sure the brakes are good, change the oil and filter and be done with it. Sell the car as is and move onto the next. Sometimes less is more.

 

[eljefino]

Help me understand what problem fresh oil might be masking. Offhand, I can't think of one. What problem can be discerned by looking at used oil on a dipstick? What warranty might be involved with an old car having 138k on it being sold for $3,000?

Speaking for myself, if I was buying an inexpensive old car, I'd welcome a fresh oil change.

A car that burns a bunch of oil will have new looking oil in it. A fresh OCI is an excuse for why the oil looks so good.

When I sell my old cars I don't mention the oil was changed (or any other maintenance or repairs) unless I'm asked. The only exception is a timing belt service, folks want to know that was done. People want to believe cars were "loyal" by "never demanding repairs." It's a dumb belief system but their money's green. This is the same reason dealers will toss your maintenance binder, never forwarding it to the new owner.

 

[Shel_B]

A car that burns a bunch of oil will have new looking oil in it. A fresh OCI is an excuse for why the oil looks so good.

OK, I understand your point, but it seems that you're painting a generalization with a very broad brush. A car that burns oil may show a lower oil level. Or the car may have had a recent, perhaps even its regular, oil change. The dipstick in my Camry shows fairly new-looking oil at more than 2,000 miles and it uses zero oil. I don't believe you can say that fresh oil means the engine's burning oil.

 

[Lubener]

Help me understand what problem fresh oil might be masking. Offhand, I can't think of one. What problem can be discerned by looking at used oil on a dipstick? What warranty might be involved with an old car having 138k on it being sold for $3,000?

Speaking for myself, if I was buying an inexpensive old car, I'd welcome a fresh oil change.

Coolant or fuel in the oil.

Some used car dealers will give a 30 day 50/50 warranty on the power train. Twice for me.

 

[Lubener]

OK, I understand your point, but it seems that you're painting a generalization with a very broad brush. A car that burns oil may show a lower oil level. Or the car may have had a recent, perhaps even its regular, oil change. The dipstick in my Camry shows fairly new-looking oil at more than 2,000 miles and it uses zero oil. I don't believe you can say that fresh oil means the engine's burning oil.

It's possible. A lot of make up oil will make the oil look cleaner.