Sometimes moving is the best time to sell a car. Which really just gives you one more hassle. But by heeding the advice below you can take some of the pain out of the process. Of course most of this advice does not apply to near junkers and is only for those seeking maximum value out of their vehicle.
First and foremost (and this is probably the most obvious) make sure to thoroughly wash your vehicle inside and out. If you have time, detailing the interior really makes a difference in the way your car feels to a potential buyer. Like a clean home for sale, you want people to be able to envision themselves in the vehicle, you don’t want them wondering what you did in the vehicle that left the goo in the cupholder or the stain on the seat. And many buyers feel that cleanliness is a reflection of how well the entire car has been cared for. Furthermore, and as much as possible, try and keep the vehicle clean until it’s sold. It doesn’t just need to look good in the pictures for the ad but also when meeting a potential buyer.
Second, consider what maintenance or repairs the vehicle needs and determine what, if any, work makes sense to complete before a sale. For example some minor repairs (or ones that fix funky sounds), oil changes, air filters and other routine maintenance will help sell the car quickly and maximize value while new tires or suspension might not give good return on investment. Another good tip is to have a friend drive and critically examine the vehicle to provide a more objective viewpoint since they’ll probably notice things you don’t.
Then, when advertising your car put yourself in the buyers shoes. Regardless of if you advertise in print, online or parked on the corner you will still need to establish a price and write a brief overview of the vehicle. Typically you’ll be limited by space so be sure to include the essentials like the make/model, color, number of miles and key features. Determine your asking price by considering both Kelley Blue Book value and actual prices of vehicles for sale. Searching used car websites like autotrader.com or eBay will give you a great idea of market value which may be higher or lower than KBB. Remember too that certain vehicle market prices will vary based on geographical areas (eg. four wheel drive vehicles demand higher prices in snow prone locals).
When potential buyers come to look at the car be sure you are ready for them. You might want to check with your insurance to see if you are covered if the buyer takes a test drive. You’ll also want to check with your local DMV to establish what paperwork is required to transfer ownership and license, you DO NOT want your name to be on a vehicle after you’ve sold it as this can have potentially harmful legal consequences depending on the new owners proclivity for illegal activities. Before you meet the potential buyer, be sure to let them know which method of payment you require. Be prepared to respond to low ball offers and be firm on what is the lowest amount you’ll accept.
These steps are designed to help you prepare properly and get the most out of your car. Yes, it’s a fairly substantial amount of work but it’s really not all that hard or time consuming, except for maybe dealing with phone calls and potential buyers, but then again if you’ve got interest in your vehicle that’s a good sign it will move soon. Of course if this sounds like too much work you do have the option of selling it a used car dealer or donating it to charity, just don’t expect to be satisfied with what ends up in your pocket afterward.