When it comes to selling your used car online, no matter how sentimental it is, you’ll be looking to get as much money as you can for it. This is why listing your car online can work to your advantage, because you’ll be able expose it to a much wider audience. The more people see your car, the greater the chance that someone will want to buy it. Selling online though can come with its share of risks, so we’ve put together some top tips to help you get the best result.
Get yourself prepared
You need to make getting organised and preparing your paperwork a priority, this includes your MOT certificate, V5C, and any servicing receipts. Make sure you know as much as you can about your car before any potential buyers start contacting you about it, as they will be asking plenty of questions.
You might not be an expert, but just make sure you know the basics about your car. Like its engine size, how many speeds its transmission has, its mileage, the size of its storage space, and what kind of safety features it has. Be realistic and truthful about any possible repairs it might need, and if it has any worn parts. Knowing all this will also help you decide whether your car needs a fix up before you try to offer it up for sale, or whether you’ll just have to sell it at a lower price.
Make it presentable
Visuals count just as much as performance when it comes to selling your used car online, so make sure to give it a proper wash and polish before you list it. Vacuum the carpets and wipe down the interior, and of course clear out any rubbish or personal items. Make use of some air freshener inside the car, and give the outside a wash and wax, also don’t forget to give the tyres some extra cleaning.
All this work will also be reflected when you put up the all-important pictures of the car when you list it. These pictures will let buyers see exactly what they’re getting, so make sure they show off the car in all its clean glory. Make sure your pictures really show all the details of your car, such as the tyres, headlights, dashboard, and even what’s under the hood. Let the potential buyer see everything they want to see.
Get the price right
It’s a lot easier to set the right price for your car after you’ve learned as much as you can about it. Remember though, no matter how much money you’d like for it, it’s important to be reasonable with the asking price. If you set it too high you’ll scare away buyers, too low and you may get more people interested, but you’ll end up losing money.
Again, research is key here, and it’s important to do as much of it as you can if you want to find out how much your car is really worth. Look at similar models that are in roughly the same condition, with similar mileage. Also, if your car happens to have features that other, similar models don’t have, then you could even raise the asking price a little.
Make the meeting work
It can be stressful dealing with people that you don’t know in any situation, but when selling your car online, you’ll inevitably have to meet up with the potential buyer first. When you do, make sure to do the meet in public, and preferably bring a friend with you. Remember, you’re selling yourself as well, so it’s essential that you are polite, helpful and forthcoming with any information.
If they want to take your car for a test drive, ask them for their insurance details first and always go with them. Offer to drive them yourself if they aren’t insured to do so, and ensure that you perform all the basic tests while they are in the car. Remember, never let the V5C out of your sight, and don’t let anyone you meet with make a copy of it. When you finally seal the deal, make sure that you have a agreed upon a secure way of transferring the money before signing any paperwork.
