Could a £200 Defect Cost You Thousands at Negotiation?

Buyers don’t always see a minor defect as a minor defect. A broken trim panel, faulty cabin light or tired seat can quickly become ammunition for negotiating a much bigger reduction in price.

That doesn’t mean fixing everything before selling. The key is deciding which defects could disproportionately affect presentation, buyer confidence or negotiations.

Pre-Sale Repair Checklist:

✓ Fix obvious low-cost cosmetic defects
✓ Replace broken or missing trim where practical
✓ Address simple cabin or lighting faults
✓ Consider worn items that photograph badly
✓ Rectify known operational or airworthiness defects appropriately
✓ Get quotes before committing to expensive work

Be cautious with major upgrades purely for resale. A new interior, avionics package or expensive refurbishment won’t necessarily add its full cost to the eventual selling price.

The seller takeaway: prioritise inexpensive fixes that improve presentation and remove unnecessary negotiating points. For larger defects, it may make more sense to disclose them clearly and price the aircraft accordingly rather than spending heavily before the sale.

Aircraft sellers, which small repair or improvement has made the biggest difference to an aircraft you’ve marketed?