by Alaina M. Coyle

Created on: January 28, 2011

Whether you’re looking to upgrade or just need to unload your current vehicle, you want to get the fairest price when you sell.  Used car dealerships rake in more than $45 million a year, in part because many individuals are intimidated about trying to sell their car privately.  However, by following a few practical tips, anyone can successfully sell their car.

Prepare

Good presentation is essential for not only selling your car, but for getting the price it’s worth.  Even if your car is in perfect mechanical condition, you’ll turn off potential buyers if the body is muddy or the interior is dirty.  Take the time to wash and wax your car, or pay someone to detail it for you.  Vacuum the inside, paying attention to all the nooks and crannies.  Consider paying to have the dents and scratches fixed.  Aesthetics play an important role in selling vehicles.

Value

Setting the price of your car is not a simple task, and should not be taken lightly.  Research what similar vehicles are going for in your area to give you an idea where to start.  Purchase the Kelley Blue Book (or see if your local library carries a copy) to find out the list price of your vehicle, or look online.  You must also take into consideration the condition of your vehicle.  Assess your car objectively and note any flaws.  Are there stains in the interior?  Is there a considerable amount of rust?  Will maintenance be required soon?  Factor all of this in when determining your asking price, then cushion it a bit to allow for buyer haggling.

Advertise

First of all, put a ‘for sale’ sign inside your vehicle for on-the-go advertising.  Tell everyone you know that you’re selling your car; word of mouth is often the best form of advertising.  Exhaust all free options before you pay for an ad.  Put up signs in gas stations and grocery stores; list your vehicle on Craigslist, and other free resources.  If you’ve tried all the cost-free advertising available and still haven’t sold your car, place an ad in your local newspaper.  Online classifieds are also a good choice, as they allow you to list several pictures and more details than newspapers.  Wherever you advertise, make sure you list accurate contact information.

Sell

Be honest when selling your vehicle.  It’s better to be upfront from the beginning, rather than hiding problems from the buyer.  You leave yourself open to legal action if you lie, so save yourself the hassle and be clear about any of the vehicle’s faults.  Make sure you have all of the vehicle’s paperwork readily available, including the title, warranty information, and maintenance receipts.  Once the buyer makes his decision to buy, request a money order or cashier’s checks to avoid potential problems with personal checks.

It may take some time to sell your vehicle, so don’t give up if you don’t receive any offers right away.  Following these sales tips and using common sense, you will be able to successfully sell your car.

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