If you want to sell a used car then make sure that the car that you wish to sell is road worthy and safe. If you sell a dangerous vehicle then you will not only be ruining your reputation but you will be putting other peoples lives at risk. You can be certain that the car is safe if you send it for a service and M.O.T before putting it up for sale. This does cost money, but then it also increases the value of the car and you can expect to put the price up to reflect this.

Next you can research how much your car is worth by comparing it to other vehicles for sale that are of a similar age. You will also need to take into consideration the condition of the car and mileage when pricing it.

Consider that your car needs to be looking clean and shiny, as though it were a person going for an interview. It needs to make the right impression on potential buyers from the very first moment that they see it.

This goes for the interior of the car as well as the exterior. Don't forget to freshen the fabric with a spray if you are a smoker as the smell can cling to the seats and upholstery.

Keep the cars log book, M.O.T and any service history or other documents in the front compartment so that they are easy to find and you will not have to remember to take them with you for each viewing. This includes keeping any receipts for recent work carried out so that the buyer can see the money that you have put into the car and the work that has been done. The only document that you mustn't leave in the car and will need to remember if proof of ownership. You don't want the car to be stolen and for that to go with it.

It may be worth shelling out for some new mats to go on the floor if you want to get a decent price for the car and the original mats are ripped and nasty. You can also hang an air freshener in the car so that it smells good. These little details show that you are the type of person who has probably taken good care of the car.

You can advertise the car in several ways depending on your preference. There are car sales magazines for this purpose and sections in newspapers. You may also like to consider the Internet and placing a photograph of the car, details and contact number in local newsagent windows.

When a potential buyer phones you to make an appointment ask them questions about what they are looking for if they haven't asked you. This can save allot of time if they are looking for something very different from what you have to offer.

When you have made an appointment check your car over before the viewer arrives. Make sure that a passing bird hasn't left a message on the windscreen! Also don't forget the car keys and have some petrol in the car incase the viewer wants to go for a test drive.

If the viewer wants your car then they will probably haggle with you over the price, so make sure that you have allowed for this when you originally work out what you think it is worth. If a silly offer is made and you feel confident that you could sell the car for more then you don't need to accept the offer. Be prepared to refuse to sell if necessary as another buyer will come along if your car is decent.

If a buyer wants the car but hasn't got the money yet then secure the deal with a deposit and agree on a date for the rest of the money to be paid. Don't let the buyer drive off in the car until they have paid in full.

Learn more about this author, Heidi Marie Fleetfoot.
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