He knows he wont get market value but does not want to give it away

He can't have the best of both worlds. I've lost count of the number of cars that end up being sc***ped because the owners prevaricate and up up doing nothing. The thing then sits there, rusting away, the brakes seize, battery goes terminal, tyres flatten...........................

Indeed - my local Mazda dealer currently has a previous gen Mazda3 2L SE-L auto on sale with a ridiculously low mileage (under 6,000 miles in 7 years) for about £13k. I though not a bad price, considering the mileage, but then I looked into its MOT record, and it had done all of 50 miles over the Pandemic era, mostly (presumably) to and from the servicing dealer / Mot station and home again.

I wouldn't like to bet on the life left in the battery (assuming the dealership hadn't changed it), and the condition of the brakes and tyres, especially as the latest MOT showed all four tyres deteriorating at the edges.

I'd put good money on that previously being owned by an elderly person who had either given up driving during the pandemic times (possibly for medical reasons), but never got round to selling it, and/or who had sadly passed away after being ill for a long time.

If I was going to buy that car, I'd insist on the dealer showing me it had a new battery, (decent) tyres and a full brake service (all in good order / any replacements done) in addition to following the recommended manufacturer's servicing, despite the low usage, plus I'd have it fully inspected for weather damage / rust.

The dealer's reaction if I did ask for that to be done (at their expense) would indicate how much of a discount they got when sold to them, given those items would like cost the dealer about £500 - £750.

I doubt if any of that was done, and hence IMHO doesn't deserve the asking price. A shame, as it looked quite nice otherwise.

If I was going to buy that car, I'd insist on the dealer showing me it had a new battery, (decent) tyres and a full brake service (all in good order / any replacements done) in addition to following the recommended manufacturer's servicing, despite the low usage, plus I'd have it fully inspected for weather damage / rust.

You can't trust the dealer to put in a decent battery or tyres. He will use the cheapest r******. Better to work out what it would cost you to fit reputable tyres and battery. Then deduct that cost from what you offer for the car and get decent parts when you take possession of the vehicle.

At least you can easily check to see if the tyres and battery are new after you originally looked at it.

With a brake service, you could always stipulate they will be financially responsible for any issues with the braking system for X time (a year, say) after buying the car - especially now that many dealers only offer 3 month 'warranties' for 'older' (say over 5-6 years old but not ancient) PXed cars - even their own make and ones with a full (dealership) service history.

I'd suspect they'd laugh at us for asking for either, but I do think the conversation needs to be had in such circumstances, given how much more expensive older second hand cars are nowadays, plus how many are not in a condition commensurate with the price they are being sold at.

The same goes for the interior - odd how so many get time spent making the exterior look nice, and yet have tatty or just grubby interiors - obviously not cleaner or vacuumed, stained seats, etc, where a (not that expensive) proper valet would make them far more saleable and probably gain in value above the existing asking price, or at the very least be zero cost item.

If the car can run, get day insurance and go to WBAC. You will not get the best money but it will be quick with no hassle.

My view is simple in conditions like this:

It's an inconvenience a long way away.

Doing nothing makes it deteriorate .

It's a worry.

Sell it just to get rid of the hassle .. price is immaterial.as long as not silly money,

WINTER is coming: bad time to sell cars.

Last year someone I know had to dispose of his deceased father’s car. The V5 was still in the fathers name, the MoT had expired, the car was Sorn’d and stored off-road at the son’s address. This was all explained to WBAC and they didn’t blink an eyelid. They offered a low-ish but fair price and picked it up on a flat bed the next day.

The car was undamaged though so that might have simplified things. He may also have had a lawyer’s letter giving him authority to sell. Anyway he was in a worse position than the OP and sold it without any problems and without driving it anywhere.

Apologies for the delay in replying but thanks for all the comments. I spoke to the owner this morning about the car.

As they were a member of the AA they called them out to see if they could charge the battery so we could drive it around to a few dealers ( with me insured for the day) , they said it would not hold a charge and ended up selling them another one for £185!!!! ... Even though they had bought the battery off them in Feb this year , wouldn't the original one still be under warranty? - reading the terms and conditions it say it needs to cover atleast 2000 miles a year but the year is not out yet.

Really feel sorry for him as he is still grieving and is being taken advangtage of.