The Ultimate Guide to Selling your Car

You might be tempted to rush straight to your end destination when it comes to selling your car, but taking the scenic route is a much more powerful option.

In an ideal world, you’d post a listing on a relevant website and be inundated with calls from people eager to buy your used Audi A1, second-hand BMW 1 Series, or used MINI Hatchback.

The reality is a little more complicated than that.

To ensure you get the possible deal and the smoothest journey, you’re going to want to do things the right way. Even if it does take a little more time.

Being prepared and knowledgeable before putting your car up for sale will save you a lot of hassle down the road. Fortunately, we’ve got the ultimate guide to help you do exactly that.

Step one: Determine your car's value

Before you even attempt to sell your car, first you must know how much it’s worth. Ask for too much and you might not get anything at all; ask for too little and you could be doing both yourself and your car a disservice. Different factors can affect a car's value, such as age, mileage, condition, and location. Start by gathering this information to give you an idea of the figure you should be aiming for.

There are various free online tools that can help you research how much your car is worth, including Confused.com and used car experts Strastone. Simply type in your registration number and confirm the vehicle's mileage, and it’ll generate an instant valuation.

Armed with this knowledge, you can then move on to part two.

Step two: Preparing your car for sale

Naturally, to generate as much interest as possible, you’re going to want to present your car in the best possible light.

Those minor issues you’ve been promising yourself you’ll sort for ages, but still haven’t? The time to fix those... is right now. Here are some things to look out for:

· Broken taillights

· Squeaky brakes

· Malfunctioning windscreen wipers

· Clogged air filter

· Stuck window or door

· Scratches or dents on the bodywork

If you want to give yourself the strongest chance of selling your car quickly and for maximum return on investment, it’s crucial you address and repair any issues.

In addition to this, give your car a good clean! Don’t overlook these tasks – they may seem insignificant, but they could have the power to turn a buyer into a bye-er:

· Dispose of any rubbish

· Wash the exterior (including paintwork and wheels) · Deep clean and sanitise the interior (including dashboard and upholstery)

· Hoover the floor and wider cabin

· Use an odour remover to get rid of any smells

Step three: Create a powerful listing

Next, you need to create an accurate and exciting listing. The words and images you choose to advertise your car can have a significant impact on how many enquiries you receive. So, take the time to tick all the necessary boxes.

Write a detailed description – Describe how the vehicle looks and runs. If it has any specific features, such as a sat nav, folding rear seat, or cruise control, be sure to list these. It just might be the thing that sways a buyer.

Keep it punchy and informative – Selling and buying a car is a big deal, but nobody needs a novel to decide. When writing your text, ensure that it’s informative yet punchy. Based on a report by the Neilson Norman Group, you only have around 10 seconds to communicate your pitch to keep a customer’s attention.

Be honest from the get-go – You might feel it’s counterproductive to list your car’s faults in an advert, but doing so will actually work in your favour. If there are issues that a potential buyer could spot quickly when viewing in person, you might as well be upfront about them in your listing. They’ll likely respect and trust you more.

Avoid abbreviations – Abbreviations can get lost in skim-reads, so you’re better off spelling out the full word for maximum impact. If you’re conscious of a strict word count, stick to common abbreviations that the majority will know, such as AC for ‘air conditioning’ and PAS for ‘power assisted steering.’

Quality photos – They say one picture is worth a thousand words. To guarantee a strong listing that piques people’s interest, you must include multiple pictures of your vehicle from different angles. It’s also recommended you ensure the background is clear and uncluttered.

Essential facts – The basic information must be included:

· Year of registration

· Specific mileage

· Colour

· Number of owners

· Car’s full-service history

When you’re happy with your advert, you can start marketing your car on relevant websites, social media, or even through word-of-mouth.

Step four: Handling enquiries and negotiations

The day that first enquiry comes in will be a good one! Try your best to respond as quickly as possible to each one, as any manner of things could disturb their interest from the moment that they message to the moment you respond.

It should also go without saying that your responses must be polite and professional. You’re not just selling the car; you’re also selling yourself as a responsible owner.

Potential buyers will likely try to negotiate the price, so be prepared for this. Actively listen to their new offer and the reasons behind it, but don’t cave in straight away. If you don’t believe their offer is fair, be courteous and re-explain the value of your vehicle.

Step five: Completing the sale

The final and most rewarding part of this entire process: completing the sale! Be wary of rushing this part just because you’re nearer the end; it’s the most important.

Avoid any legal or financial issues by completing the sale properly, taking great care to complete the paperwork, transfer ownership, and handle payments. If in doubt, follow government guidance to ensure everything is done correctly.

Once the exchange has taken place, you need to inform the DVLA that ownership has changed, and then you’ll have officially sold your vehicle.

Take the easy route

There is another way - you can take the fuss and complication out of selling your car by taking it to a dealer and letting them handle it. You could arrange for them to buy the car outright or use it as part exchange against a new car.

They will offer a fair market price for the vehicle based on its mileage and condition, and you will have the peace of mind guaranteed when dealing with a trusted trader.

Best of luck on this journey

Selling a vehicle can look like a daunting, complicated process – but one you can make easier by doing things the right way.

Each step may feel quite insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but together they contribute to a quick sale and more cash in your wallet. Put pedal to the metal and let’s go. Good luck!