To sell a used vehicle is not that difficult nowadays. The tricky part is ensuring that you get the best deal for the transaction. You can easily go to your dealership and sell them your old car or trade it in for a new one. But the price you will be offered is normally lower than what you can get for it if you do the selling yourself.
You have to be reminded, though, that if you do not employ effective means, you will not be able to sell a used vehicle for a good price. And in the shortest length of time too.
It is essential, therefore, that you learn some effective and popular methods to strategically make your car attractive. This way buyers will be coming to you to fight for your precious old wheels.
This article will teach you some of the effective tricks that will take your car off the market in the quickest possible time.
Remember that time is of great importance here because the market value of your vehicle will depreciate with time. You need not worry about this though if you follow the popular methods enumerated here. Which by the way, are the same tricks most used car dealers use too.
Sell a Used Vehicle Tip#1. Make Your Car Attractive
Would you buy a car that looks like it has not been cleaned for a year? With chipped paint and torn seat covers? You definitely would not, right? Therefore, do not expect your used car to be sold if you present it in the same manner.
First impressions last.
You have to make sure that the buyer would fall in love with your car the minute he or she sees it.
To achieve this, give your car a fresh coating of paint. Have it detailed, clean or replace the floor mats, and make it smell fresh.
It should be impeccably clean from every angle and that includes the engine area and the underneath of your car.
Sell a Used Vehicle Tip#2. Have Your Car Repaired and Serviced
Looks are not enough. Your buyer should be pleased too once he/she gives your car a test drive. Unwanted sounds that denote problems in the engine are a big turn off. Next to being unable to start your car in an instant.
To address this, hire a mechanic to thoroughly check your car’s engine. If possible, have it fixed. Do not worry about the cost it may incur because you can easily increase the selling value of your car. Once you have restored the engine’s tiptop shape.
This does not mean that you necessarily have to fix everything. You do have the option to honestly tell your buyers the current problems with your car. So that they know what to expect from buying it.
This would mean that you have to sell a used vehicle for a lesser price, though. To compensate for the repair costs the buyer will have to face.
Sell a Used Vehicle Tip#3. Decide on the Price
This is a tricky part. You will lose if you put a low price on your car. But you may not be able to sell quickly too if you put a very high price on it. To come up with the right value, you need to do some research.
Firstly, you can check the price offered by car dealerships on the make and model of your car. The rule of thumb is you can sell a used vehicle for 15% more over the assessed value given by car dealerships.
Secondly, you can find out the current market value of your car model by checking the web or buy-and-sell magazines. See how much other sellers are asking for the same kind of car and you can sell yours for the same price.
Once you have determined the ideal market value, it is wise to add 5-7% more on the price tag. This will serve as your cushion when buyers start to negotiate, which is very likely to happen. You can also use this add-on to entice buyers to close the deal by offering it at a “discount”.
Sell Your Car Tip#4. Complete Your Car’s Documents
This is very important. Especially in the current times when smuggled goods and re-assembled stolen cars are integrating the market. Clean and complete documents will remove any doubts buyers could have over the property you are selling.
Some of the documents that you have to prepare are your proof of ownership, the car’s registration certificates, insurance policies. And even proof that the car has been paid in full.
Do not wait for your buyers to ask for these documents. As an act of good faith, have these documents ready and present them as you go through your sales pitch.
Sell Your Car Tip#5. Use Effective Advertising
Finally, know how to sell your used vehicle. There are many ways to do this now that the internet is available for everyone.
If you are old school, there are still offline advertising strategies. To learn more about them, here are your options.
Online Advertising
There are free online classified ads websites. You just need to register and then you can post your car for sale. Be sure to provide a complete description as buyers become more interested when they see that the seller took time to give all pertinent information about the car.
This means including photos of your car too. Take good pictures that will really entice buyers to contact you. It is also important to post your ad under the proper category.
You can also use social media sites. Just post it on your page and ask your friends to share it with their friends, or you can tag your friends on your post.
Offline Advertising
Offline advertising through local papers may cost you some money, so make sure that you properly have your ads listed.
For instance, if you are selling a 2008 model Toyota sedan, your ad should be listed under that category and not under pick-ups or SUVs.
Another offline method to advertise is by placing a for sale sign on your car. This will not cost you a dime and every time you drive your car around, there is a chance that someone will be interested and contact you.
Just follow the tips that have been stated here and you can have your car sold in no time at all.
Of course, it would also help to let your family or friends know that your vehicle is up for sale. Because some of them could coincidentally be looking for a new car or know someone who does.