Selling a Car

So you want to sell your car?

There are a number of things to consider before you advertise

• How do you want to sell – Privately, By Auction, through a Dealer, by Trade-In?
• What is my car worth?
• How do I maximise my profit?
• How do I prepare my car?
• How do I deal with potential buyers?

Top Tips

Choose when you sell – do not try and sell after Christmas or after a number plate change.

It is best to sell cars while they still have a relatively low mileage (40 000 for 3yr old car)

For older cars, it is more important that the vehicle is in good condition and has a clear history.

You will need to gather all relevant documents together and keep them in a folder – log book, MOT certificate, handbook and any receipts for repairs and spare parts.

If you have trouble selling the car, consider if the price is too high or whether it looks any different to how it sounds in the advert.

Trading your car in

This is a quick and relatively easy way to get rid of your old car. It is worthwhile to prepare your car well first – wash, clean and check. You will not get such a good price as you would with selling privately. You need to look at the price you are being offered for your car and what you are paying for the new car, then work out the difference to see what you are actually paying for your new car.

Sometimes it can seem like the dealer is giving you a generous price for your car, but they may be making money elsewhere by boosting the cost of the car you are buying. Do not be frightened to ask the dealer how they came to the price they have, as this may make clear any hidden costs to you.

Selling to a Dealer

Again, this is a quick way to sell your car. The price you get will not be as good as selling privately.

Selling by Auction

This is a quick way to sell your car. You may only get a trade-in price or less. You must put a reserve price on otherwise your car could potentially be sold for as little £20. The auction housewill take about 10% of the profit from the sale.

Selling Privately

This is the best way to get a good price for your car, but it is not hassle free. You need to decide where to advertise, how much to advertise the car for, and how best to deal with potential buyers.

Advertising

This can be through the local papers, auto magazines, national newspapers, websites and even enthusiasts clubs.

Many websites offer special deals that may be worth taking.

The advert itself should be factual and include:

• make and model of the car
• colour
• age/registration letter
• mileage
• condition
• any extras (alloy wheels, air conditioning)
• number of owners
• service history
• length of tax/ MOT
• Photo – taken in daylight with a neutral background
• Price and area you live

Pricing

To get an idea of what your car is worth, look in guides such as Parkers, or check adverts for the same model of car in newspapers, magazines ( Exchange & Mart ) and the internet ( Autotrader ).

You will need to be honest with yourself about the condition of your car, so you do not overprice it and get no offers.For prestige/specialist cars visit owners and enthusiasts clubs.

Preparing to sell