A moment of uncertainty in the market like the one we are experiencing can be a perfect opportunity to sell your used car. There are many people undecided with the purchase who do not choose a new vehicle because of its high price, problems with car financing or the waiting times to receive the car.
It is then when you take a look at second-hand cars to buy something that will serve temporarily, more or less long. In addition, the offer is greater, since it is not only about choosing a specific model, but also assessing its state of maintenance or kilometers. This series of tips and tricks to sell car They will help you achieve a successful sale and make it stand out among the many advertisements found in the car search engine:
Know the market
The first step is to find out how much is the car worth in question and set a reasonable selling price. This must be done in several ways:
- Ask for one appraisal to professionals in the sector (mechanics, dealers, resellers, etc.).
- Consult the insurance company about the real market value of the car.
- Find out how much they ask other owners for similar vehicles.
To get the final sale price right, combine this inquiry. A trick: dealers and insurers generally rate lower, while individuals do so higher. Calculate an average. If you want it much easier, you can use our used car appraiser, which gives quite reliable values due to the large database we have.
Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes
When a person decides to buy a used car, he not only pays out his money, he also deposits his trust. And it is that, unlike new vehicles, second-hand cars have a past that the buyer does not know. Avoid the evasions and answer all their questions clearly and truthfully. Some time ago we compiled all the questions to ask before looking at a used car. Check that you are able to answer all of them without hesitating.
The buyer needs to know the record of the car: if it has had one or more owners, if it has been stored in a garage or outdoors, if it has been used for work or for the family, if it has received all mechanical services in a timely manner. All the documentation Being able to test care will be very helpful in helping you decide. The buyer can also know a few things in advance through the traffic report.
Still, it is vital to demonstrate that you are up to stream of all payments and that the vehicle has passed the inspections of the ITV. If the bills of the arrangements and improvements, it is also convenient to show them: it favors transparency and the confidence of the buyer. If he asks you to test drive the car before you buy it, don’t say no or it will look like you’re trying to hide something.
Highlight the qualities
The two essential criteria that affect the valuation of a car are the age and mileage. These data should always appear in an ad. Other interesting details are collected in this list. Review it and highlight them in the ad in order of importance:
- make and model.
- Know that the vehicle has not suffered accidents.
- Have passed all mechanical controls.
- He chassis condition and the bodywork.
- The number of owners that you have had
- The state of enginetype of fuel used and consumption.
- The state of the upholstery and from within.
- The accessories of safety and comfort.
- He price.
Image
It is not enough that the car is good: it must appear so. The cleanliness, order and care in the details reinforce the feeling of care. It’s psychology: if the owner cares about cleaning, vacuuming, waxing and perfuming his car, he must also be just as careful with the mechanical and structural components. In addition to a thorough washing and thorough interior cleaning, there are other ways to prepare your car for sale, in order to get a better rating.
About the ad photos (never forget to include them), it is convenient to make at least six: two for the sides, one for the front, another for the rear, one for the interior and one more for the engine, with the hood up. So it looks like you hide nothing. You can also earn points by following these car photo tips.
Where and how to find buyers
- friends and acquaintances: Word of mouth is the oldest marketing strategy, but it works. You will not lose anything by telling your friends that you want to sell the car. Closing a deal with a relative gives peace of mind, but the circle is sometimes reduced.
- General and specialized press: Publishing the ad in newspapers allows you to reach more people, while doing it in industry magazines is a direct line to people who are interested in the motor world. Of course, these ads are usually paid and little information about the car can be published. This medium is less and less used.
- Internet: As you surely know, selling a car on the Internet is free, you arrive at a huge amount of people and allows you to include photos and detailed information. It is, without a doubt, the future (although there are people who still do not trust it). You can review here our tips for selling a car on the Internet. They will surely help you. Another advantage is that the entire transfer of the vehicle can now be done this way thanks to tools such as Paycar.
- Dealers: leave the car in hands of a professional it is more comfortable and often faster. The bad thing is that you usually earn less money and you have to leave the car with them so they can show it to potential clients.
[NOTA]: Post published in April 2011, updated with images and expanded with more tricks.
