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How to sell your car privately – Top 8 tips to follow

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Selling a vehicle privately can be a challenging job. It requires patience, time, energy, and the right sales information up for review.

In return, you get bombarded with calls and requests for test drives, only to have a bunch of no-shows. To avoid all that fuss, many people prefer to trade their vehicles in at a dealer. But that too has its drawbacks. Selling your vehicle privately not only ensures a higher return, but you can also make a sale far faster.

Here are a few tips to aid you in selling your vehicle privately. Check them out!

8. Get your car inspected

The first move should be to get the car inspected by a professional mechanic. Ask them to identify any problems and get them fixed immediately. Remember, buyers usually shun away from vehicles that have too many issues. Otherwise, you may have to quote a meagre price to attract a potential buyer. It’s better to spend some money than to lose wads of cash on a sale.

7. Give that ride a wash

After fixing any technical faults, it’s time to thoroughly clean the vehicle. Vacuum the interior, work on removing the ugly stains from seat covers, and give the dashboard a polish. Subsequently, wash the exterior and apply a shiner to the wheels. A sparkling car will not just sell for a higher price but will also sell faster.

6. Photograph it

If you are going to advertise your car online, you need quality photographs to impress potential buyers. Get a high-resolution camera and photograph the car from different angles. Make sure the area is well-lit, so the vehicle imagery is clear and crisp. Do not forget to photograph the interior.

5. Set a price

When you take your car for inspection at the mechanic, ask them what they think the value of the vehicle might be. Most mechanics are well aware of market prices and are more than willing to offer an estimate. With that quote in mind, use a car evaluation tool to determine the price of a used car in Milton Keynes to will help you determine a reasonable price for your vehicle.

4. Put it up for sale

Now that the vehicle has been wiped clean and photographs have been taken, it’s time to advertise your car. The best way is to advertise online is via a car-selling portal. This way you can upload your advertisement without spending a dime. Just be sure to ensure you publish the ad only when satisfied with the content.

Other methods include advertising in newspapers, telling friends and relatives, or posting on social media.

3. Brace for calls

If all goes well, you will start receiving calls and e-mails within a day or two. Many of these callers will not be serious buyers, so make sure you make it short and precise to save time and energy. Serious buyers may ask for your address to inspect the car personally.

2. Be honest

It’s not wise to hide any known issues with a vehicle. If the buyer is savvy and discovers the problem(s), you’ll lose their trust, and potentially ruin your chance of finding a buyer! So be totally honest and be forthcoming in regard to any issues with the car, however minor they might be. Moreover, highlight the positive aspects of the vehicle and identify any new equipment installed.

1. Negotiate a deal

Once the buyer has checked, tested, and expressed their interest in buying the vehicle, it’s time to negotiate a deal. Just make sure you don’t cut your price for a quick sale. With a deal struck, hand over the keys and title, and be sure to retain all receipts for your records and tax purposes.

After completing all of the necessary paperwork, make sure your insurance company knows you no longer own the vehicle. Once sold, never miss out on telling the DVLA (DMV in the USA) about the new owner, and keep a copy of that sale receipt.

Top car selling tips to avoid fraud

1. Only allow cash payment or a CHAPS bank transfer.
2. If the buyer is paying via check, you should hand over the vehicle only after the clearance of funds.
3. Avoid payment through PayPal, Western Union, or any other transfer method.
4. Always accompany the potential buyer during the test drive.
5. Only hand over the keys to the buyer after the release of the total payment.
6. Have someone with you when the potential buyer visits you to inspect the car.
7. The buyer must keep a valid driving license as well as insurance coverage to take a test drive.
8. Ask the buyer where they live.

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