If you have decided it’s time for an upgrade and you want to sell your car you have a couple of options. You can choose to trade your vehicle in, or you can sell it privately. There are pros and cons to both, and a little research required before you decide which way to go. In most cases, those who want a hassle-free changeover and are not too worried about getting top dollar are usually happy to trade at the dealer. If, however you feel you could get proportionally more selling privately, this might be the way to go for you. Here are our top tips below on how to successfully sell your car privately.
Know your bottom line
Research is the key here! It really takes little effort to go online and spend some time researching the advertised price of vehicles comparable to your vehicle you are looking to sell. Searching for the year, make, model, km’s, condition and location will give you a good reference as to what people are advertising similar vehicles for, from here you can decide on your bottom line, and then advertise your vehicle for marginally more so you have bargaining room.
Clean and detail the vehicle
This goes without saying. In order to get the best sale price for your vehicle you are going to want to make sure it is clean and shiny inside and out. If you are great at cleaning your car, go ahead and DIY. However, in most cases, investing a few hundred dollars on a solid detail will more than pay for itself in the long run.
Advertising your vehicle
Take lots of photos! Be sure to include comprehensive photos in your ad of the front, back, side profiles, interior front, interior back, boot space, engine etc. It’s a great idea to closely photograph the features of the vehicle too, inclusions such as alloy wheels, sunroof, grille etc. Make sure you photograph your car in a neutral background as opposed to a cluttered garage. When writing the ad, use as much detail as possible and think about all of the things you like about the car, a potential buyer will likely be impressed by the same. Highlight the positive aspects of the car but be honest too. If the car has any damage whatsoever, you’ll need to be forthcoming. There are many places you can advertise your car for sale such as Carsales.com.au, Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace.
Test drive
Letting someone take your car for a drive boils down to trust and gut instinct. Asking to hold someone’s licence while they take your car for a test drive is perfectly acceptable. Use your initiative, if a P-Plater young bloke rocks up you might be best to insist on going along for the test drive.
Negotiating price
When it comes time for negotiating on price, remember it’s a business transaction, not a fight! Be open to reasonable offers but also firm on your bottom line. The buyer will always try to haggle you down on price, stay firm and polite but also be prepared to walk away if it is not the right buyer.
To arrange a pre-purchase inspection with your buyer, visit https://www.autoleaders.com.au/ or call 1300 888 618.
