Getting your car ready and in a saleable condition is one of the key points when you’re thinking of selling it. Think of the purchase from the buyer’s point of view. They will be put off by many factors, will look elsewhere, and turn their noses up at a car that has only a few days left on its MOT or looks tired and unloved. Here are some handy tips to help you sell your car quicker, for the price you want and more easily.
Deciding the Price
be misled in thinking that your car is still worth what you paid for it, even if it was only a few months ago. Car prices and demand changes rapidly, so it’s best to keep an eye on the general consensus of prices, visit a mechanic, get an opinion from a professional and hunt around on the Internet until you find a price you’d be happy with. Check magazines and newspapers too and look at trade prices from dealers, who will always command higher prices, but at least you will know an upper-end of the scale.
Remove Possessions and Tidy Up
Ensure you go through every doorbin, cubby-hole and under the seats to see if you’ve left anything, dropped any personal items and just make sure nothing is left. You should always give your car a good clean both inside and out, or have it professionally cleaned, so it looks good for the buyer too. Ensure that it runs well and has all general maintenance covered recently. People will always buy a nice, clean and shiny car rather than one that’s dirty and not looked after.
Avoid Making False Claims
If the car has outstanding finance, then call the finance company first to make sure you can sell it. Don’t hide this from the buyer and don’t make any false claims about the car. If you’re honest in your advert, then there is no reason for the buyer not to hand over the money for it.
Writing the Advert
Ensure the advert is accurate, well-written and detailed. Give the buyer all of the answers they need, so that when they come to see the car there is nothing different or false about what they read in the advert. Quote how old the car is, how long the MOT is, how many miles it has covered, the general condition, any bumps or scrapes, and it’s history. If it’s been written off in the past, you need to state this.
Preparing Documentation and Getting Paid
It’s best to have as much documentation as possible from old MOTs, previous maintenance and repair work receipts, and service records. If the buyer’s or your insurance allows it, let them test drive the car.
Always expect to haggle on the price. If you have a minimum price you’ll go to, then stick to it. Another buyer will come along if someone offers too little. When you come to an agreement, ensure that you get cash. If the buyer wants to pay by cheque, then wait until it’s cleared before handing over the keys and documentation. Finally, make sure you send off the V5 for a change in ownership.
