How To Get a Car Ready to Sell
Overview
You love your car, but when it comes time to sell a car, being too ‘well loved’ means it may not fetch the price you are hoping for. Let’s get that fixed up for you with 10 tasks to get a car ready to sell.
Steps
Task 1: Clean Your Car
To maximise the value of your car, it’s crucial to make a strong first impression. This means getting it squeaky clean! Begin by thoroughly cleaning your vehicle addressing every nook and cranny. Use bug and tar remover where needed and get into the tricky spots with a detailing brush. Hit your wheels with wheel cleaner and a wheel brush, and don’t forget to rinse as you go.
Follow up with wipe the chamois for a spotless finish and get your tyres glistening with some tyre shine.
Task 2: Touch Up Dents and Scratches
It’s hard to sell a car covered in scratches. Run a fingernail over any scratches around your car. If your fingernail doesn’t catch; you can buff that out with a cloth and some scratch remover.
If your car has more extensive fine scratches or swirl marks; use a machine buffer to make that paint work shine.
If you’re selling a vehicle with more serious scratches, they may be worth fixing if you are confident. Some dents where the paint is intact can be removed quickly and cheaply by a dent repair specialist.
Task 3: Detail the Interior
Empty any rubbish and personal items, give it a vacuum, and tackle any upholstery stains with a Bissell spot cleaner. The Bissell is super handy around the home too.
Clean your windows with some tint-safe window cleaner, wipe your dash and plastic trims with some protectant, and don’t forget the little tree to tie it all off with a fresh scent.
Task 4: Address Maintenance Issues
This could include jobs as simple as changing windscreen wipers, replacing blown light bulbs and fuses, or topping up the oil.
Selling a vehicle with more serious engine, driveline or electrical issues can be difficult and cost you a lot off your sale price. It’s worth paying a professional to fix these, or of course do it yourself if you’re SUPER handy.
Task 5: Gather Essential Paperwork
If you’re looking to sell a car with a logbook, make sure that the appropriate services have been completed and checked off.
Find receipts for any work you’ve had done on the vehicle. Proof that you’ve looked after your car will help fetch a good price.
Task 6: Replace Broken Parts
To avoid negotiation hurdles, replace any broken or missing parts on your vehicle. At Supercheap Auto you can conveniently order many parts yourself. Many cosmetic parts are simple to replace with a couple of hand tools and only minimal time investment.
Task 7: Engine Bay Detail
Selling a vehicle with oil stains all over the engine could lead the buyer into thinking there are problems, even if it was just a spill. Give your engine bay a good detail, you’ll find step by step instructions on our DIY How To Clean Your Engine Bay.
Task 8: Take Great Photos
Great photos will really sell a car. Choose early morning or late afternoon when the light is at its best. Get down low to give your car an impressive stance for some statement shots. Grab a few shots up higher and from each side of your vehicle.
Then go into detail on any damage or special features. Don’t forget to show off that nice clean interior and engine bay.
Task 9: Opt for Private Sale
Selling a vehicle privately is a bit more work than dropping it at a dealership and signing the dotted line, but the result will be THOUSANDS more in your pocket.
Task 10: Price Competitively
Research the market to determine the selling prices of similar vehicles in terms of make, model, mileage, and overall condition. Price too high and you won’t have any interest, price too low and you’re leaving money on the table.
Tips
Sometimes it’s sad to part ways with your trusty daily driver. But when you’ve put in the work to sell a car, you’ll probably find that the pain is softened when you’ve got a happy buyer and a handful of cash.
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