How Do You Sell Your Car Easily For A Good Price?

Selling a car privately for the very first time can be a daunting endeavor. Getting it showroom pretty, deciding on the best price, and polishing the perfect sales pitch may seem like a giant pain in the posterior, but the process does not have to be as agonizing as it sounds. You can master the art of automotive sales and get a great price when you sell your car.

Get ready to bid farewell to your four-wheeled friend. By following a few easy steps, you can ensure that your car will sell quickly –and that your bank account balance will rise substantially. Here’s how.

Make it Showroom Ready

Is your car a “cream puff?” If so, it won’t take much to restore its former glory. And, don’t worry if your car is…um…a little less than perfect. No matter how old or how well-loved your automobile is, you can make it more appealing to potential buyers by giving it a thorough once over.

Clean it. The buyer has come to purchase your car, not your stray Doritos, used Kleenexes, and cigarette butts. And, no, they do not care for Fluffy’s hair either. If it’s not a part of the car or a car accessory that is included in the sale, remove it. Vacuum the inside–including the trunk–thoroughly, empty the ashtray, clean the windows and mirrors, and wash, polish, and wax the exterior. “Selling a Car: Preparing Your Car for a Sale” recommends using a plastic restorer to rejuvenate a tired car, both inside and out. And, adding an air freshener–they even come in “new car smell”–will help conquer any unpleasant odors as well.
De-ding it. Alright, “de-ding” is not an actual word, but it is important to touch up minor dings and scrapes. Grab a touch-up pen at your favorite body shop and fill in scratches and stone chips. If your car is in great shape except for a few dings, it may be worthwhile to have a professional dent remover take them out. Make sure to take care of any chips in the windshield as well.
Show It in Writing. It is important to have all of your paperwork together before a buyer asks for it. This includes your car’s maintenance records including oil change history, receipts for parts and repairs, the owner’s manual, and the vehicle history report. You can obtain your vehicles history report at Autocheck.

Find the Magic Number

When setting a price, the object is to get as much money as you can without scaring away potential customers. It may sound a bit like walking a tightrope, but there are a few ways to determine the best price.

Classifieds. A great first step is to check out classified ads for similar cars and see how much they’re asking. Bear in mind that dealerships will have very different prices, so don’t bother comparing your vehicle’s price to theirs.
Online Tools. You can also make use of several online tools that take into consideration your car’s options, condition, mileage, and the region in which you live. Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book> are two of the most well-known.
Room to Haggle. Car buyers expect to haggle, so you’d better be prepared. Edmunds.com’s “10 Steps to Sell Your Car” states “if you want to get $12,000 for your car, you should list it for $13,500” as people tend to negotiate in big chunks. This way you can appear to come down a hefty amount and still get the price you want.

Market Like a Pro

Glam Shots. Your visuals will either attract customers or send them on the hunt for alternative transportation, so make sure that you take the best shots. “Selling Your Car: Use This Checklist” recommends using a DSLR camera, taking your pictures in a bright light, and choosing an attractive setting. One major car publication suggests using a shot of the front three-quarter view as your main photo. Don’t forget to include the interior, the dash, the engine, and the exterior from the front, back, and side.
Advertise. Your local classifieds and the Auto Trader are viable print options for your advertisement, but it is important to keep online options in mind as well. When composing your ad, highlight your car’s best features. Kelley Blue Book‘s “10 Steps for Selling Your Car,” recommends mentioning why you are selling the car, clearly stating your asking price and negotiating terms, and defining the terms of payment up front. And, don’t forget, an old school “for sale” sign can work wonders too.

Now, you’re set to sell your car like a pro. It won’t be long and you’ll have an empty space in your driveway and a very full wallet.