Have you arrived at the decision to finally sell the car you own and replace it with more remarkable, more likable, and more sparkling machinery?

Now that you’ve made your decision, it’s time to consider how and for how much you’ll sell your car, right? Well, sort of.

Classified platforms always try to convince you it’s a piece of cake. Yet creating an ad for your used car is just the first step. Here are 10 helpful hints which will help sell your car like a pro.

1. Take care of the crucial (and most obvious) details

Even a buyer who does not show the slightest interest in cars will perform a reasonably thorough check of your vehicle.

They’ll check to see if the vehicle’s lights and air conditioning operate properly. They will not ignore tiny scratches or extraneous noises coming from the car’s suspension. More cautious buyers will even have colleagues assist them in spotting real or imagined flaws.

As a result, any seller will address all of these potential difficulties in advance. The majority of problems are inexpensive to fix, but they are well worth it.

Here’s a simple checklist of the most important things to take care of:

Fix any dents and scratches
Replace dead bulbs and fuses
Adjust your headlights
Make sure your tyres are at the correct pressure
Check coolant, window washer and oil fluid levels

2. Have your car’s history available

Remember the time when you were a buyer and not the seller. How often were you irritated about vehicles with a suspicious background story? Exactly.

Do yourself a favor: be an upstanding citizen, and earn the buyer’s trust by offering a peek at your vehicle’s history report.

Giving the buyer access to the vehicle’s history eliminates any suspicion that you’re trying to conceal something. Furthermore, revealing the car’s history will give you bargaining power when negotiating the price. After all, you want to sell at the highest possible price, right?

3. Lick it clean

The importance of first impressions cannot be overstated. Some buyers, whose hearts are set aflutter by a lovingly waxed ride, may forget to have the vehicle inspected by a professional. So don’t forget that the inside matters, too.

When you vacuum under your seats, you’ll find a variety of small trinkets, such as fistfuls of change or forgotten keys. There may even be unusual items left behind after a night out with friends.

If you can afford it (and if the car is worth it), getting a professional car cleaning service is your best bet!

4. Be honest

As previously said, transparency and sincerity are attributes that create trust.

Even if the car you are selling has some defects, don’t try to hide them. On the contrary, show them or name them.

If it’s time for an engine oil change, let them know when it’s due. If one of your car’s speakers is broken, mention it as well.

The more you tell them about the car, the more likely it is that they will buy it right after absorbing all of the facts. Isn’t that what you’re after?

5. Choose where to advertise

You know you’re selling a fantastic car. It’s now time to inform the rest of the world.

You can sell your car in a variety of ways. Still, placing an ad in the most prominent classifieds is the most effective method.

Compare the prices of numerous vehicle classified websites to get the best one for your needs.

6. Hand your car over to an official reseller

Selling a car may not be a process that works for everyone.

If you don’t have the time, or you are just too lazy to do it, then you should turn to resellers, who can make the sale while you’re sitting on the couch.

This is highly relevant if the car is between 2 and 4 years old – resellers can quickly sell such vehicles.

You will, however, have to pay an additional fee for these services. Depending on the contract terms, you may have to pay for the services upfront or when they sell the vehicle.

7. Set the right price

An overpriced car will put potential buyers off. An underpriced one can make them suspicious. If you feel it’s fair, you can set a higher than average price – just make sure you explain the reasons.

Are you the only owner? Does it have relatively low mileage? Are there some accessories that don’t come as standard?

Make a list of all the extras you’re offering to show the target audience that you’re giving them a fair bargain.

8. Go for a test drive

It’s every buyer’s wish and privilege to test drive a vehicle, and there are no reasons why you should disagree. However, you should be careful!

Check the potential buyer’s driver’s license before permitting them to drive. It’s also a good idea to see how your insurance company would handle an accident during the test drive.

Furthermore, when customers drive the car, always stay with them – not only for safety reasons. Perhaps you’ll be able to explain some of the car’s unique features.

9. Prepare for the negotiation

Bargaining can be quite stressful if you aren’t a professional seller. However, there is a suggestion that will make your life easier. Get ready for it.

Determine the lowest price and have it in mind. This will let you negotiate with potential buyers on price, but you’ll always have the red line you won’t pass.

If the buyer reaches it, simply state it’s your final offer. You know how much your car is worth, so don’t undervalue it.

10. Get the deal done

Sometimes people pay at once, sometimes they want to pay in installments. However, ensure you’ve got the total amount before handing over the car keys.

When negotiating the final price, insist on using banking services to pay for the vehicle, which will safeguard you from counterfeit money. Check your country’s tax policy as well; you may be required to pay income taxes.

There’s one more thing to consider

Now that you’ve followed all of the mentioned suggestions, it’s time to put your theoretical knowledge into practice.

Do not overestimate your options, make wise use of your information, and, most importantly, employ common sense.

Selling a car should be like refueling a vehicle, scrolling through your favorite app… or using a VIN decoder. Don’t overthink the process and let things unfold naturally.

Now you are truly ready to sell your car like a true professional.

Sell your car like a pro: 10 tips that work

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