Tips for Preparing Your Car for Sale

Preparing your car for sale can make a significant difference in the final price you receive. Here are some essential tips for getting your car ready to sell and maximising its value.

Note: Many of these steps DO NOT apply when selling your car with Car Buyers Online. This is a general guide, which may help you when selling your car privately.

Selling your car privately requires some work, if you want to get a good price. Let's look at the critical steps, you must take, if you want to attract a buyer.

Return the car to stock condition

Accessories do not add their full value to a car on the secondary market. Expensive bull bars and winches may add some value to a very specific buyer, but more often, they narrow down the target market, making it more difficult to find a buyer.

People often like to customise their car their own way and even though it requires more effort, you'll get a better price removing any accessories and selling them separately.

While you're at it, be sure to remove any personal items from your vehicle. That includes removing any rubbish and fluff from the cupholders!

Prepare a Roadworthy

The next port of call is to ensure that your car is safe to drive on public roads via a professional mechanical inspection. You should aim to fix any noises or minor issues that your car might have and ensure your vehicle's servicing is current.

A roadworthy certificate won't just give buyers peace of mind, it's a legal requirement in QLD and ACT.

Make Minor Repairs

Addressing minor issues can increase your car's value. Consider fixing:

• Scratches and dents.
• Broken lights or mirrors.
• Worn-out tires or brakes.

Minor damage, scratches and evenn minor visible blemishes can reduce the value of your car. If you choose not to get them fixed, we recommend dropping the price slightly.

Thorough Detailing

A clean car makes a great impression on potential buyers. Make sure to:

• Wash and wax the exterior thoroughly.
• Clean the interior, including vacuuming and wiping down surfaces.
• Be sure to also clean the door sills and trim.

The engine bay is also worth cleaning. Wiping all visible surfaces with a damp microfibre cloth, can make a major difference.

Professional detailing can further enhance your car's appeal and potentially increase its value.

Gather Documentation

Having all necessary documents ready can make the sale process smoother. Ensure you have:

• Service history records.
• Registration documents.
• Repair receipts.

Comprehensive documentation builds trust with buyers and can justify a higher asking price.

Price Your Car Competitively

Being aware of market trends can help you price your car competitively. For example, there is a growing demand for SUVs and electric vehicles. Positioning your car according to these trends can attract the right buyers and help you get the best price.

The most common approach is to simply price your car based on comparable makes and models online. However, just because a car is listed at a certain price, doesn't mean they are selling. We often see vehicles listed for months on some platforms.

Choose the Right Platform

Where you choose to sell your car can impact the price. The most common options include:

• CarSales: A more expensive option, but it has the largest number of serious buyers. Also having a larger number of listings, you will need to price your vehicle competitively to stand out.
• Gumtree: Offers lower cost ads, but it tends to focus on local market buyers, so your ad will be less likely to be seen interstate. It is more likely to attract less serious buyers and time wasters, but it can work.
• Facebook Marketplace: Facebook is growing in popularity, though lacking in specialised search features. It has also been known to attract less serious buyers and joy riders. Expect negotiation with any potential buyers.

Either way, listing your vehicle personally will mean that you need to be available to facilitate the inspection, interact with potential buyers and it can be a time consuming process. Ensure your safety by organising inspections when you are not alone, and take precaution if letting the potential buyer test drive the car.

Alternatively, you might choose to trade in your vehicle.

Trade In Your Car

In most cases the dealers are able to economically prepare the vehicle for sale for you. Though they do expect to make a profit and also have taxes and fees to pay. Dealerships offer convenience but often lower prices.

Use a Buying Service

If you would like the convenience of a trade in, but with the potential to get a better price, use a buying service!

Car Buyers Online offers a streamlined process to ensure you get the best price for your car:

• Quick Quote: Fill out an online form to get a price estimate.
• Easy Inspection: The team will inspect your vehicle and find the best offer.
• Immediate Payment: Once an offer is accepted, you'll receive payment via EFT on the same day.

By following these tips and leveraging the services of Car Buyers Online, you can sell your car quickly and at the best possible price.

Ready to sell? Get a quote with Car Buyers Online today!