When properly chosen according to your boating needs, cheap outboard motors are very good bargains. However, caution must be exercised as choosing the right secondhand outboard boat motors must be complemented with paying the right prices for them.

Retail Price of Brand New Motors

Usually, the price of secondhand outboard motors in good condition must play in the range between 50-60 percent of the retail price for their brand-new counterparts. Thus, you must do your research so that you have ammunition during price negotiations! At the very least, you have a starting point for comparative purposes.

Exterior and Interior Condition

Before buying the cheap outboard motors, you should have conducted visual inspections and audio tests that will make damages and deteriorations obvious. From these engine tests, you should be able to secure information on repairs to be done and replacement parts to be purchased. You will then be able to deduct part of the costs from the initial selling price, which is only fair and equitable.

Depreciation Value

Normal wear and tear must be accounted for when purchasing secondhand outboard motors, which in accounting circles is called depreciation value. If the straight-line method of depreciation is used, you can deduct fixed figures from the original purchase cost for every year that the cheap outboard motors have been used until these are sold to you. For example, if the outboard motor was originally purchased for $1,000 and has a life expectancy of 10 years, then the depreciation for each year would be $100. If it was sold to you after two years of original purchase, then you can take the $200 depreciation into account when haggling for the right price.

Level of Maintenance Care

However, you must also consider that degree with which the original owner exercised proper maintenance. He/she will also ask for a higher price based on the good condition of the cheap outboard motors even after many years have lapsed. Admittedly, there are many factors to be considered when purchasing second hand outboard motors at a price agreeable to both buyer and seller. But with adequate research, satisfactory inspections and good haggling skills, you definitely can!