Just as important as the day you buy your first car is the day from which you sell it. This can help you acquire a higher budget for your next vehicle, or might allow you to sell on a vehicle on someone elses’ behalf, such as when a relative passes or when a family member, like a child, decides to move abroad, begin studying, or simply stop driving for a period.

Selling a car is a relatively complicated administrative task, but it can be achieved, and it will no doubt be done successfully. What matters is knowing a few tips you can use to ensure that your forward progress is assured and that you receive a fair and just price for such an asset.

Of course, while you can expect buyers to try to negotiate with you, if the car is in good condition, safe to drive and has all its paperwork in place, you’re more than within your rights to stick to a minimum expected figure. In this post, we’ll discuss a few additional tips for organizing this selling process more readily:

RETAIN BASIC CONDITION, CLEAN & STORE

Of course, making sure that the vehicle is in good condition will enable you to ask for a higher price and to encourage a sale in the first place. Cleaning internally and externally is key, as is making sure that the condition of certain elements, such as replacement windscreen wipers, can help you avoid dispelling issues that might otherwise cause someone to expect a reduced discount, when a cheaper replacement could be a better spending prospect for you. If you prepare your vehicle for self storage, you can also keep it in good condition until you meet with a prospective buyer.

CAREFULLY CHOOSE YOUR SELLING PLATFORM

It’s important to choose the right selling platform for you. Depending on the country you live in, this can change. Check what fees may be required and what audience certain platforms have. For instance, in the UK, AutoTrader is known to be one of the more reliable options, but many have had success selling cars on eBay and even Facebook Marketplace. Vet those who come to check the car carefully through an initial conversation, and make your price clear so that negotiations can be reliable. Check what listing and sales fees a platform may offer, and what the mutual review process might entail.

KEEP ALL DOCUMENTS TO HAND

It’s essential to have the logbook, the proof of your purchase and reservation, your car’s service history and its certificate of roadworthiness, as well as an up-to-date copy of its insurance policy contract. The car parts receipts and car warranty documents re also essential to provide. Without this, the car’s history may come into question even if you’re completely legitimate, and it makes a prospective buyer feel as though this purchase may not be the best idea. With all of that documentation neatly laid to hand and copies of the most pertinent examples for your own records, you can work to a satisfactory sale.
With this advice, we hope that first time car sellers feel more comfortable in selling off such an important asset.

Photo Credit: Toyota