The time has come to sell your car and you’re not quite sure where to start. Don’t despair, help is here. The trick to selling your auto: repair, revamp and research. Slapping a classified ad up may get some quick responses, but putting a little elbow grease in will have that vehicle backing out of your driveway in no time.
Repair
before listing your vehicle, take a trip down to the ole’ auto mechanic shop and get your car tuned-up. The extent to which you fix it up should depend on the cost and the return on your investment; how much will the fix add to your sale price. If you want top dollar when you sell, there are some must-fix items:
before listing your vehicle, take a trip down to the ole’ auto mechanic shop and get your car tuned-up. The extent to which you fix it up should depend on the cost and the return on your investment; how much will the fix add to your sale price. If you want top dollar when you sell, there are some must-fix items:
- Oil change
- Fluid top-up
- Minor dent repair
- Minor windshield repair
- Brakes (consider)
- Repair or replace old wipers and/or headlights
- Overall inspection
Having a clean “bill of health” will entice buyers to actually take the vehicle on a test drive! If any major fixes are needed, discuss them with your auto service shop and figure out whether they are necessary and cost effective.
Revamp
Whether you have a family vehicle or not, you’ve most likely “personalized” your vehicle a bit while you’ve owned it. Sure, you may not mind the crumbs, wrappers and road maps shoved into the driver’s side door, but chances are the first impression potential buyers get won’t be stellar. A revamp is needed to make sure that your vehicle sparkles as much as possible. Vacuuming and cleaning the interior are no-brainers, but you can take it a step further by steam cleaning the upholstery or having the car detailed. Get rid of all stains, dirt, muck and grime – inside and out.
Whether you have a family vehicle or not, you’ve most likely “personalized” your vehicle a bit while you’ve owned it. Sure, you may not mind the crumbs, wrappers and road maps shoved into the driver’s side door, but chances are the first impression potential buyers get won’t be stellar. A revamp is needed to make sure that your vehicle sparkles as much as possible. Vacuuming and cleaning the interior are no-brainers, but you can take it a step further by steam cleaning the upholstery or having the car detailed. Get rid of all stains, dirt, muck and grime – inside and out.
Research
Before placing that classified ad, take a good look at your car. Make a mental note of the positives and negatives and then check out the Kelly Blue Book online for your vehicles estimated worth. Then do some researching in the classifieds to find out what the average price is for vehicles that are the same year, make and model. Note the condition of the vehicles and compare to your own. Finding the average is a good starting price. Also take in to consideration the timing of your sale – if it’s winter in Canada and you’re trying to sell a convertible, you may not get top dollar! Above all, take off the rose coloured glasses and look at your vehicle through the eyes of a potential buyer; what will he or she see as advantages and flaws?
Before placing that classified ad, take a good look at your car. Make a mental note of the positives and negatives and then check out the Kelly Blue Book online for your vehicles estimated worth. Then do some researching in the classifieds to find out what the average price is for vehicles that are the same year, make and model. Note the condition of the vehicles and compare to your own. Finding the average is a good starting price. Also take in to consideration the timing of your sale – if it’s winter in Canada and you’re trying to sell a convertible, you may not get top dollar! Above all, take off the rose coloured glasses and look at your vehicle through the eyes of a potential buyer; what will he or she see as advantages and flaws?
Final Tips
After you’ve done some research, gotten your car all dolled up, it’s time to sell, sell, sell! Here are some final tips:
After you’ve done some research, gotten your car all dolled up, it’s time to sell, sell, sell! Here are some final tips:
- For a fast sale, price your car at the lower end of the spectrum.
- Place ads everywhere! Free online classifieds work well - think free social media sites as well - (kijiji and facebook, youtube), as do vehicle specific papers. Put a “For Sale” sign in your car’s window.
- Have your manual, service receipts and final report for your mechanic ready for buyers.
- Be honest with potential customers about your vehicle’s flaws.
- Ride with people during test drives – at the very least take their license and insurance before they go.
- Only accept cash or a cashier’s cheque.
- Don’t forget to remove your license plates!
- Sign over your registration.
Now it’s time for some car shopping of your own…!
Lilly Gordon is a freelance writer and web publisher. She is a Mom of two and is currently researching used vehicles and auto repair in Edmonton.
No comments:
Post a Comment