There are many options to consider when selling a car privately. This guide will help you explore those options and assist you throughout the whole process.
There are 4 main options when it comes to selling your car.
Private Sale
This option is probably the way to get the most for your vehicle, although it will more than likely be the most stressful way too. Be prepared to have a few potential buyers turn up and view your car, and usually haggle with you on price. If you can handle the pressure, then this type of sale will see a better return than most ways. Obviously you will not be pricing your vehicle at dealer prices, but then you are not offering the add-ons that dealers will usually have to provide.
Trading The Vehicle
The hassle free option in selling your vehicle will be to trade it to a used car dealer. You will be offered less than you would via the private sale, but you will be without the stress of it too. Take your car to a local dealer and ask them to evaluate the vehicle, you will usually be offered a quick sale at a lower cost, but then the dealer has to try and make a profit so its totally understandable.
Selling Via Auction
As with the Trading option, an auction sale can be hassle free, but as with the Trading option, you will more than likely see a smaller final value for your vehicle. Be prepared to have some potential buyers come and view the car, but you won’t feel so pressured into getting a sale, as your car will hopefully be being watched by a number of future bidders.
Scrapping The Vehicle
If your vehicle has failed its MOT or has a serious mechanical problem, you may be considering scrapping it for its basic scrap metal value. Try and make sure that if this is your only option, that you are provided with evidence that the car has been scrapped. You may also consider breaking the car, selling different parts from your vehicle to buyers. Once again there are good auction sites where this method is quite popular.
Here is some advice on how to try and get the most for your car if selling it privately or to a trader.
Valuations
There are a number of valuation websites on the internet which will give you a good idea on what kind of price you should be looking for, for your car. Do a search on Google for Parkers Guide or WhatCar and you will be able to find a good guide on what to expect.
Do some research on similar cars for sale in the local press or in various magazines selling cars, even take a look at local dealers and the auction sites to get a general idea of what price to pitch your vehicle at.
Condition
Take in to consideration the age and the mileage of your vehicle, if it is an older model with less miles on, it may be worth the same as a newer model with higher miles.
The general condition of the vehicle is a good guide on how much to expect for your car, if the bodywork and the mechanics of the car are all in good order then you can expect to ask for a little more than an average condition model.
MOT
A vehicle with 12 months MOT will always be more appealing to a buyer than a car with less than a full MOT, if you are in a position to put your car through an MOT if it has less than 8 months on, then you will have more interest for sure.
Selling Points
If the vehicle you are selling is a high specification model of that particular make then make sure you are advertising the points. Things like Air Conditioning and Alloy Wheels will have a positive impact on your target audience.
Preparing your car for sale is a vitally important stage of the process, if you are to make a good impression on the potential buyers.
The phrase “first impressions last” comes to mind when first turning up to view a car for sale. Its a fact that scuffed, dented, paint chipped, untidy cars are not the biggest attraction for any buyers. Not only will having prepared your car have a positive effect on your potential buyers first impression but it will also enable to ask for that little bit more in price. Buyers would much rather spend a little extra on a car that looks like it has been taken care of and is in good shape.
Engine Bay
Have a look and top up all the levels under the bonnet, things like oil, anti-freeze & even the washer bottle, its the little touches like having topped up levels that give the impression that the car has been cared for and maintained.
Interior
Clean out those ashtrays if you are a smoker and hoover up those dog hairs if you are a dog owner, these are the 2 most off putting things to see in a used car. Spend a little time just tidying the inside of the car, a little polish here and there and a good vacuum will be pleasing on the eye of any buyers.
Tyres & Wheels
It is a well known saying to “tyre kick” and you can be sure that your potential buyer will check the wheels and tyres on your vehicle. A missing wheel trim can really have a negative effect on the look of any car, and tyres with low tread will also be a put off, the buyer is not going to be impressed if he has to go and spend more money on getting the car legal