Tips For Selling Your Car

By John McElborough

Selling a car can be a challenge for many people. Generally, if you sell your car yourself, you will get a higher price than if you sell or part exchange it with a garage. So what things do you need to know?

Preparing your car

The better you can make your car look, the more buyers will get a good impression. You need to make sure it looks immaculate. You can use a professional cleaner, or do it yourself. If you decide to do the cleaning, you must remember places which are often missed, like the door openings and the boot.

Wash and polish the exterior, including the wheel trims and any trims. Clean the inside and remove any loose items, or it can look untidy. Make sure the windscreen washer fluid and radiator are topped up, so you give the impression you have looked after the car. Take out any personal items; fluffy animals are not everybody's taste!

Imagine you are a potential buyer and look at your car as critically as you can. Does it look good and well cared for?

Gather all your documentation, especially any service records. If the car has any faults, decide whether you will get them fixed, or be prepared to negotiate with any potential buyers.

Advertising your car

You will need to write a clear, concise and accurate description, whether you are selling online, in your local paper or in a specialist magazine. If you are selling online, you can usually include several photographs of your car.

Once you have the car immaculate and are satisfied that buyers will be interested, take good clear photographs. Take two or three clear photographs of the car, preferably from the sides, back and front, along with the interior if possible.

Find out how much cars of the same make and model are going for, so you have a good indication of how much to ask for your car. Over pricing your car means that buyers will ignore it and under pricing means that you are going to lose out, so you need to come somewhere within the guidelines.

The perfect car ad will include the following:

- Exact type of car - the correct car make, model and engine size
- Year and registration letter
- Mileage
- Colour - be precise - metallic red is clearer than 'Toreador'
- Tax - state when the tax will expire
- MOT - the date when the next MOT is due
- Service history - if your car has a recorded service history
- Number of owners - cars with fewer owners are desirable
- Features - any features, such as air conditioning, alloy wheels, electric windows Asking price
- Reason - if you have a reason, such as moving abroad, include it

A note of caution

Most buyers are honest people who are just looking for a bargain. However there are some unscrupulous people who will pose as buyers, so always be on the lookout for thieves. By using a little common sense you can avoid problems.

Remember:
- never leave the keys in the ignition while someone is looking it over
- always go with them for a test drive
- if the buyer is paying by cheque, wait until it has cleared in your bank account before letting the car go

The Maidenhead Advertiser has been faithfully serving the local community since 1869, featuring the most comprehensive News, Sport and Classified Adverts for the community.

Article Source: http://www.artipot.com

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