Fix and flip - should fluids be done before selling?

[Fordiesel69]

I got a car at auction for the purpose of a fix and flip. Not to bore you to death but it was sitting since 2022 so there were mechanicals things that needed to be addressed that I took care of, and I am now working on the cosmetics. Once done with the cosmetics I was thinking of doing coolant, tranny fluid and filter, power steering fluid, and axle fluid. To my horror, this will cost me about $175 as prices have really gone up. In 2019 when I did this exact job, I had about $85 ~ $90 into this this service.

My question to you, is with this car having 138k on it, would doing all this maint help sell the car faster and / or would it help to acheive the slightly higher asking price? Or am I just wasting my time trying to be nice?

 

[cptbarkey]

Time is money. If you didnt do the service be honest with the buyers.

 

[Kira]

It depends on whether the prospective buyer knows what fluids are.
Lotsa people know nothing about cars.
Some of them will be "offended" when you describe the maintenance you'd perform.
Their ignorance doesn't register as such. They can conclude you're 'talking down' to them or snowing them.

 

[BobsArmory]

Most people just look at the color of the oil on the dipstick. I would just send it as is and let them do it if they feel inclined since you won't see a return on the investment.

 

[nomas]

As long as the oil isn't black , I don't think there is any value in spending the money .

 

[KrisZ]

If you sale price reflects these extra items, then for sure, otherwise no. Unless you're running a charity.
You're selling a used car, in as is condition. Why put extra work on yourself when the average buyer will not care?

 

[KrisZ]

It depends on whether the prospective buyer knows what fluids are.
Lotsa people know nothing about cars.
Some of them will be "offended" when you describe the maintenance you'd perform.
Their ignorance doesn't register as such. They can conclude you're 'talking down' to them or snowing them.

In my experience they will think something is wrong with the car since it needed so many services done if you list them all.
It's better to keep your mouth shut about these things, unless the buyer inquires about it and seems like a person that knows what it all means.

 

[Urshurak776]

I would change the oil/filter. Supertech Semi-Syn and filter would cost around $19 combined.

Make sure fluids are topped off (Brake, antifreeze, power steering, etc.)

Look at the engine air filter. Filthy? Replace it, if not, move along. Buy the cheapest one you can find on Amazon.

That's about all I would do if flipping the car.

 

[AdmiralYoda]

I'd change the oil with the cheapest available as that is probably as far as a prospective buyer will check. I'd make sure the other fluids were topped off. I'd consider a spill and fill of the transmission fluid if it looked like it needed it...but probably not.

 

[Leo99]

Depends if you're going to start a business doing flips. If you want a good reputation as a flipper, then I'd say do the fluids. If this is a one-off, maximize your profits.

 

[John105]

I think if it were me as a buyer, none of those would be a selling point. I would go into it figuring I need to take a look at those things.

When I bought my car used in 2016, dealer said changed the oil. It seemed as if true, but I still didn't want to go the full 5k, so I changed it myself in 2.5k. So if I were the seller, I wouldn't bother with any of that. just my .02

Where would it end? Say you are flipping a car that has a multiple of 90k, and that's when a timing belt is needed....would you throw that in, too?

 

[SC Maintenance]

In my experience they will think something is wrong with the car since it needed so many services done if you list them all.

I would think so also, but I sold my Grand Cherokee years ago and listed everything wrong with it, and there was plenty. The tires were bald. The heater core was bypassed (leaking). A few others I can't remember. My phone didn't stop ringing off the hook - could have sold it 10 times. Must have listed it too cheap.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I'd get concerned if I pulled the dipstick and saw new transmission fluid ... for example.

 

[John105]

I'd get concerned if I pulled the dipstick and saw new transmission fluid ... for example.

I'd rather know that's the case and not buy the vehicle, than to have the seller correct the issue so that I never knew it existed. In the old days sellers routinely sold cars with blown head gaskets and poured Bars into the radiator

 

[D60]

I always do those things to my own vehicles no matter what the seller claims was done. I'd say anything other than engine oil is a waste.

I recently serviced a Subaru after the family purchased for their teenager. The seller told them he just changed the oil, but it was obviously overfilled ‐‐ even the dad (buyer) told me he noticed that. He said just do it again. If the PO can't do that right, what else did he screw up?

 

[Hall]

would doing all this maint help sell the car faster and / or would it help to acheive the slightly higher asking price? Or am I just wasting my time trying to be nice?

No, no, yes

95% of buyers don't care. At most, do an oil change - that gets buyers excited. You can also "check" and/or top off the other fluids.

 

[IndyIan]

What is the vehicle and value? $10k vs $3k is a big difference in spending $200 on fluids.
For me as buyer it would be plus, if you are trying get a high price and used the right fluids(have receipts). The wrong fluids are worse than old fluids...

 

[KrisZ]

No, no, yes

95% of buyers don't care. At most, do an oil change - that gets buyers excited. You can also "check" and/or top off the other fluids.

This pretty much. And those that do care, will likely change all the fluids themselves anyways. I know I do unless I have very solid proof it was done correctly.

 

[Fordiesel69]

The car will be listed for high 3k.

 

[eljefino]

If it has a tranny dipstick and a check of the dipstick leaves a bunch of clutch material on the rag, change it.

If you test the antifreeze and it's less than 50/50, ethically, you should bring it up to factory spec, even if it's just WM AM/AM in a rad drain and fill.

Change the engine oil, check the cabin and engine air filters. Change the PS if it's filthy. Don't bother with the axle oil.

You'll get a better ROI getting it really clean inside.

The services you're doing will help a car sell faster if it's already priced right, but if it's $200 more than its competition it will linger.