Very nice looking example.....for £3.8k it would have to be mint.
When I look at adverts, I look for a few things - and often times, it isn't the car I look at!!
1) Photos: Are they in focus, show all angles of the car, well lit, not on a stupid angle, not messed with using filters or tweaks, a good selection showing all items of interest and also illustrate the written description. i.e. if they mention new tyres, is there a photo to back it up? that sort of thing.
2) Description (HOW it is written): Spelling, sentence structure, punctuation, Logical progression, written with affection and authority, paragraphs, easy to read with good flow, does it tell the cars story? A sloppy description with bad spelling mistakes (I know we aren't all good at spelling, heck I'm not - but if I am selling my car and I try my best to use a spell checker!) shows lack of care, similarly lack of punctuation or sentence structure makes it very difficult to read and some important points can be missed or over looked.
Breaking the description down into paragraphs helps the reader to block information together and process it - a wall of writing is difficult to process and remember.
A story of the car shows passion and care for the car, this I like as it shows the owner has cherished the car as much as the description 'says' he has.
3) Description (WHAT is written): Does it give an accurate description of the car? A seller with nothing to hide will tell you everything. But always read between the lines. Research the make and model you are looking to buy and compare what is being described with any research you have done. i.e. The P38 very rarely has a rusty chassis, so if the description says 'Chassis has rust in the usual places' take it with a pinch of salt and think 'OK, my research has shown the P38 to be the most rust proof of any Land Rover and rarely rust through - so if there is rust on this one, what else is wrong?'
Do they just randomly list extras and features of the car? i.e. ABS, Traction Control, 5 Doors, Rear Seatbelts, CD Player, Headlights, Drivers Seat, Wheels......etc without giving any particular information ABOUT the car.....all the equipment can be found in Parkers or Glasses guides.....tell me ABOUT the car.....
If they write that it has a fault, but it is a simple repair for someone to do - then why did they not get it done?? What else have they not done? Unless ther eis a reason for not getting it done - i.e. sickness, lack of money, lack of time - which if it was a genuine easy repair they would say why they have not had it done... i.e. Drivers Head lamp blown, simple repair but I have hurt my back and couldn't do it myself or get the car to Halfrauds to do it for me......or......Rear door hanging off, simple repair for anyone knowing what they are doing, I just don't have the time anymore to get it done due to work.
Only after the seller/vendor has proved they a) know what they are selling b) have shown respect to me by caring about what has been written as I am the one who has to read it and c) Have shown some care and attention to the photos (everyone owns a camera - either a 'camera' or a phone with a camera, so there is no excuse for bad pictures or no pictures) then I will start looking at the car in the photos.....
The one presented looks good, some good photos which show the car (would like to see one of the engine mind you) the description is pretty good, not many spelling mistakes and describes the car well....I would like to have seen paragraphs to block the information into sections which makes reading it easier, but nonetheless it ticks the boxes.....£3.8k is at the upper end of the P38 scale for a standard model of the 90's era.....and she looks good.
