You have covered a lot of ground together, but the time has come to say farewell to your old car and sell it. There are a few different options for this, but today we will go with a DIY private sale. Before you begin the actual selling process, you need to do some research first. You can start by checking the current market value of your car’s make and model. The next thing is to make sure you are knowledgeable about your car’s current condition and any features it has that might strengthen your position during negotiations.
Now that you’ve completed your research, it’s time to get your car prepared for the sale. You can be sure that a car that’s clean on the inside and out is going to be much more appealing to your potential buyers! If you have any nifty extras like a car window shade consider throwing it in for free, it’s a small price to pay for the goodwill it will generate! People love goodies, so give them some, the important thing is to make a big sale!
You should also seriously consider having an independent auto mechanic inspect your car to identify any possible issues that might eventually require repair. It’s vital that you be transparent with your buyer and let them know if there are any concerns right away, it will actually help make the sale as it will build trust! If a small repair is needed now, it’s best to take care of it yourself so you can offer the car on a clean slate.
Now it’s time to clean out the car’s boot and interior. It’s important that you remove all evidence of your presence, especially any rubbish! If you have customized your car by putting stickers on the interior or exterior, remove them, the new owner does not care that your child is an honour student or what sports team you support! Wipe them off! Make sure that the owner’s manual that came with the car is in the glove box, everything else must go!
Your next step is to have your car professionally washed and detailed, meaning that expert cleaners take a proverbial fine-tooth comb to every inch of the vehicle and leave it looking and feeling almost new! This is really a big selling point, and well worth every penny you spend on it!
It is an absolute must that you have all the car’s paperwork squared away, in fact, it is the Law! The paperwork required for car sales can differ depending on which of Australia’s states and territories you reside in. Having all the correct documents in place is key to making this go off without a hitch, while avoiding any government fines!
Now that your car is as clean as a whistle and all the required pre-sale paperwork has been prepared, your next task is to create an attractive advertisement you can list on the platform you choose, be it online, in print media, or even just some signs you put up around your area.
You can start by taking some eye-catching photos of your squeaky clean car. Presentation is everything, don’t just take a few snaps of it parked on your curb next to the rubbish bins, take a drive and find a nice, scenic spot with a park or a beach as the backdrop. Don’t take the photos at high noon, it’s the worst light of the day and it won’t be flattering! Opt for the ‘sweet light’ of early morning or late afternoon, or a cloudy day when it won’t be an issue. The three main shots you want are from the car’s back at an angle that shows the car’s side, then the same angle from the front. Now you want a straight side shot- easy peasy! Throw in a front-only shot if you have a particularly attractive front grill and headlight combo. Do NOT include any people in the shot, no kids, no pets, nobody. The only possible exception to this is if you had an attractive bikini model posing with it, like they do at the big car shows, but that will only help if the potential buyer is male! Be sure to post “Bikini model not included!”
Now that you have taken your photos, it’s time to write up your advertisement copy. You will need to make sure to include the following basic information:
Your Asking Price
The Make
The Model
The Year
The Mileage
Vehicle History
Your Contact Information
When you are setting your asking price, always go above your absolute minimum! You need to set it a bit higher so there is room for negotiation, because there is no way you will be getting the asking price, you always have to drop it down some, that’s just how it works! You should also be careful not to set it so high it discourages potential buyers from even trying!
Wave good-bye to your old car and say hello to cash!
