Your car has been good to you, but let’s face it, it’s time for an upgrade. You’ve been surfing the internet for days. Finally, you have found the ideal car, but you’re going to need to sell the used car first. The bond between you and your vehicle is no doubt a special one. And even though there’s an emotional and sentimental attachment, you want to get the most money you can get.

You may think that the best way is to take it to a dealer. But since they are in the business to make money off of used cars, they will turn around and sell it for a profit. The alternative is listing your vehicle online. By exposing it to a broader audience, you’ll be able to interact with more people who may potentially want to buy it. However, choosing this route is not without pitfalls. Don’t back off just yet from the opportunity to get the most money. Here are some tips to help you sell your automobile like a pro.

1. Clean it up

Get your automobile looking its best. You need to make a good first impression. Before you list it, clean your car, inside and out. Keep it that way throughout the time you’re trying to sell. car buyers have a hard time seeing a beautiful interior if it’s buried under trash and personal items. Vacuum everything (seats, mats, carpet, trunk, etc.), wipe the windows and throw in some air freshener. Wash and wax the car- don’t forget the wheels. But if you don’t have the time or inclination to do the dirty work yourself, get it done by professionals. No one wants to buy an ugly, stinky set of wheels. And besides, a clean car is easier to sell.

2. Get it serviced

Make sure that your car has been recently serviced. If there are any minor faults, have them fixed beforehand. If you don’t have time, honestly inform potential buyers of them. Remember, all negative aspects will bring the price down. It may be wiser to research how much it costs to complete minor repairs. Decide whether you want to fix your car or you’d rather just sell it for a lower price.

 

3. Compile all the relevant paperwork

Having at least 12 months on the registration makes a car more attractive to a buyer, but that isn’t compulsory. More importantly, make sure you’ve got the title, the owner’s manual, log book, and service records ready for the buyer to inspect. Present them with the receipts of any major maintenance or repairs, such as tires, lights, etc. You’ll also need a bill of sale later to prove that you no longer own the car.

4. Pricing

Be reasonable about the price you put on your automobile. Research websites to gauge the market value for similar cars with comparable mileage and condition are listed for in your area. An underpriced vehicle will get a lot of responses, but you’ll end up making less money on the deal. Conversely, an overpriced car will be hard to sell. But if you’re selling it with accessories, make sure you explain why your car’s price is above the market. List all the features to ensure potential buyers don’t overlook it. Stay realistic; not everyone will want to pay extra.

5. List it in the right places

Your options used to be limited putting a “for sale” sign in the car window or porting an ad in the local paper. Nowadays, there are several websites that you can use.

Deciding which site depends significantly on how you want to sell it. You could pay a website that gets a lot of traffic to avail services. Or opt for an online auction site or use a free classifieds site. Whatever platform you choose, make sure you understand all of the terms and conditions of listing your automobile there.

6. Advertise

One of the hardest parts is writing the ad, but you don’t need to be Shakespeare to sell your car. Cover the following basics:

• The year, make, and model
• The mileage
• What kind of gas mileage it gets
• The price
• Any repair or maintenance issues
• How to contact you. Email or cell phone is probably best, avoid giving the address.

Remember to take clear pictures so that the buyer can see exactly what he is getting. Capture details of the exterior and interior.  Shots to include are:

• Headlights
• Tires to depict the wear and tear
• Dashboard showing whether any warning lights or indicators are illuminated
• Backseat and cargo so people can see how much room it has for passengers and belongings
• Engine room

9: Know what you have

Once you place an ad, people will start contacting you about the car, and they’re going to have a lot of questions. Even if you’re not technically inclined, be prepared to answer them. Know what kind of engine it has, the type of transmission, the gas mileage it gets, the size of its cargo hold, the safety features, etc. Also be ready to provide information about all the recent repairs, if any.

10. The meeting

One of the most stressful steps of selling your car to a dealer is meeting people you don’t know. You can never be too careful- the last thing you want is to have those people at your house. Arrange to meet potential buyers somewhere public during the day, preferably with a friend or relative.

11. The test drive

Make sure you see the buyer’s driver’s license before letting him get behind the wheel. Never leave him alone in your car. Check with your insurance company if a potential buyer is covered, in case there’s an accident while on the test drive.

12. Negotiate a deal

Expect a lot of bargaining. Work out the lowest price you are willing to accept. Even if there is haggling, simply tell the buyer that that’s the final price. Be strong at this point. Remember, it’s your car, so you don’t have to settle for less than your car is worth.

13. Know the acceptable forms of payment

It’s not possible for buyers to have thousands of pounds available in cash. You need to be comfortable with whatever method they are going to use. Protect yourself from fraudulent payments. While some online sites handle payment, offering protection from fraud, they usually take a percentage of the money. If you accept personal or cashier’s checks, do not hand over the keys until it clears. Beware of a common scam when buyers overpay you by check and then ask you to pay the difference in cash. Either way, once a bargain is reached, provide a receipt stating the car is being ‘sold as seen.’ But don’t forget to keep a signed copy for yourself.

14. Take down the ad

Once your car is sold and the payment has cleared, take your online ad down. Nothing is worse than getting constant inquiries about the car you sold last week. Make sure that you cancel your insurance – no sense in paying for insurance on a car you don’t own. Now it’s to sit back and relax. Enjoy the money you’ve earned on selling your car online.