Selling a car can be a complex process. You’re going to want to get the best price, and you’re going to want to find a seller that isn’t going to make you jump through a bunch of hoops only to pull out at the last second.
A lot of people are looking for a quick sale right now with the rising cost of living, but that also means that there are a lot of buyers who are feeling thriftier. It can be completely overwhelming if you’ve never done it before, but anyone who’s sold a car in the past will tell you that it can be tricky.
There are several steps that you’ll need to take to make sure that it all goes off without a hitch.
Prepare Your Car For Sale
First of all, you’ve got to make sure that your car is in a condition that would make someone want to buy it. This means cleaning it, giving it a once-over, and ensuring that you’ve got all the documentation that you need.
Here are some tips to help you get your car ready for those prospective buyers.
- Clean the car: You’ve really got to get in there. It’s not just about making sure that you’ve taken it through a car wash. You need to thoroughly clean the interior, including the windows, carpets, and upholstery. No one’s going to want to pay top dollar if they can see crumbs from a bag of chips all over the floor.
- Check the mechanical condition: This is really important if you want to sell it quickly. Check the oil and fluid levels, tire pressure, brakes, and other mechanical components. It’s worth taking your car to a garage for this step.
- Make necessary repairs: If there are any mechanical issues with the car, such as a blown engine or transmission problems, find out how much it’s going to cost to fix. You might find that you could boost the value by a lot with some cost-effective repairs.
- Get a vehicle history report: Obtain a vehicle history report to show potential buyers that the car has a clean title and no major accidents.
Determine The Value Of Your Car
Once you’ve done all the above, then it’s time to figure out how much you should be expecting to sell it for. A car’s value is based on several different things and some of them are going to be out of your control. They include the make and model, year, mileage, condition, and where it currently is.
Here are some resources you can use:
- Kelley Blue Book: Kelley Blue Book provides an estimate of the value of your car based on several factors.
- Edmunds: Edmunds provides a similar estimate to Kelley Blue Book but also takes into account any additional features your car may have.
- Online marketplaces: You can also search online marketplaces to see what similar cars are selling for in your area.
Decide How To Sell Your Car
This is a bigger question than some first-time buyers might realize. You can sell the car yourself, you can talk to a dealership, or you can find a car-buying service that will take it off your hands.
Here are some factors to consider:
- Time: Selling your car yourself may take longer than selling to a dealership or car-buying service. If you’ve ever tried selling anything online, then you’ll know how much hassle it can be.
- Convenience: Selling to a dealership or car-buying service may be more convenient, but you may not get the highest sale price. They’ll have their own metrics and they’ll be wanting to make a tidy profit that doesn’t involve you.
- Fees: Selling to a car-buying service or dealership may come with some hefty fees. It’s always worth checking before you start down this road.
Find A Car Dealer That Works With Salvage Cars
Major damage or a blown engine isn’t necessarily the deal-breakers that you might think. You may be able to sell it to a dealer that works with salvage cars. These businesses specialize in buying damaged vehicles and repairing them for resale.
Here are some tips to help you sell your salvage car:
- Research salvage dealers in your area: Look for salvage dealers in your area that specialize in buying damaged cars.
- Get quotes from multiple dealers: Get quotes from multiple salvage dealers to ensure that you’re getting a fair price for your car.
- Be prepared to negotiate: Salvage dealers may offer a lower price for your car, so be prepared to negotiate the sale price.
You can easily sell your salvage car by finding a great dealer. CarBrain offers free towing and their 5-star customer representatives can talk you through everything that you need to know.
Finalize The Sale
Once you’ve found a buyer for your car, it’s essential to finalize the sale properly. This involves transferring the title, signing a bill of sale, and canceling your insurance.
Remember that insurance companies will see missing or incorrect misinformation as an excuse to not pay you. Don’t make the mistake of still being on the car’s title either, especially given how many accidents take place every year. You want to make sure you are no longer responsible for the car once it’s out of your hands.
