Selling a car isn’t as easy as it looks. Not only do you want to get your car off the driveway quickly, but you want also want to get the best price for your motor. You also need to avoid common issues that will affect the chances of a sale. In this article, we will help make the process as smooth as possible, with some common sense tips to hurry the chances of a sale along.
-
Don’t only rely on the classifieds
Selling your car in the classified ads is a common approach, but there are many other places where you can sell your car. For example, you could trade your car in at a local dealership, although you may not get the best price. Used equipment auctions may be a better idea, and you may see your vehicle selling for more than the asking price if it’s in high demand. You can also sell your car online through specialised websites, or take part in online auctions. Each method will see a different return for your finances, but if you want to sell your car quickly, you need to make use of all the avenues available to you.
-
Do your research
For starters, consider the price of your car. It needs to be marked competitively, so it’s no good slapping a price sticker on with an overinflated asking price. Look online and at local dealerships to see how other cars are priced. You then need to consider other aspects of your car, such as miles per gallon, common issues, and manufacturing dates. The buyer will be full of questions, so educating yourself by looking at your paperwork and perusing car forums will give you the answers you need for the most challenging of questions. Of course, it’s perfectly fine to say “I don’t know,’ if you really don’t have an answer, as that is better than bluffing your way through a line of questioning with incorrect and idiotic responses.
-
Get a history check
The buyer wants peace of mind, knowing that you are an honest individual, and the car they are buying is free from outstanding loan payments and significant damage in the past. Websites such as Autocheck will provide you with a history check for a low fee, giving you credibility as the seller, and easing the worried mind of the person buying your vehicle. As you will know when buying a car yourself, the more doubts you have, the less likely you are to buy.
-
Be honest in your descriptions
Don’t overlook any faults within the vehicle, whether that’s scratches on the paintwork or any kind of mechanical issues. You should get these issues sorted out anyway, but if you haven’t, let the buyer know about them in your advertisement. It will improve both your credibility and protect you from any legal action if the buyer notices these imperfections after the sale has taken place.
-
Go for the win-win approach
The buyer wants to pick up a car at a fair price, and you want to profit from the sale. So, before you put the car up for sale, be careful with your pricing. As we mentioned earlier, you don’t want to overinflate the price, but you can still allow for wriggle room within a negotiation. Raise the price at around ten percent of the car’s value, and allow the buyer to haggle within this margin. With luck, you will both come away from the sale with a smile on your face, knowing a good deal has been secured.
Let us know if you have further car selling tips for our readers. Thanks for reading.
