How to: Sell your old car.

It’s hard to get rid of a car you have learned to drive with, you can’t help but think of all the memories you’ve created, all of the work you’ve done on it and the places you visited; But that time eventually comes in which you need something that remains reliable, and won’t empty your wallet In fuel or maintenance costs… Today I will be listing in a quick article easy ways to get your car sold much easier and faster. 

1-Exposure is key.

First, let’s start with the basics… If you put up an ad on the classified section of the newspaper, your car has little chance of being seen or shown among the many other newer and better looking used cars of the classifieds. In the end, you DO WANT your car to be seen by lots of people who are looking to buy their first car.

For the moment… we’re in the 21st century, that means digitalization is key to getting around, and so we must flock to major websites like Craigslist, Bring a trailer, cars and bids… It’s important to remember to never stick to advertise your car in a single website. Always aim to advertise your car in more than one website to maximize the chances of getting a call asking to see the car you put up for sale. 

2-Keep it clean, Keep it runnin’

One of the main things that will attract a buyer to your car is not that straight pipe you installed, neither that Stage 1 ECU tune or the 5k$ rim set fitted on your car. The first thing that your future buyer will see is HOW your car looks like! You can’t hope to put up a simple description and expect buyers to come and check it out in person.

What’s important… is not only that the car is clean. Any imperfections like dents, scratches, missing mirrors, tape, cracked lights or windshields… Will drive off any potential customers. Fix the cosmetic damage, run the car through a torough wash in and out, ensure to have a proper background to show the full car, take pictures in BROAD DAYLIGHT! Never try to take pictures at night or you’ll make it seem like you are trying to hide imperfections!

As well, try your best to keep the car in a good mechanical state. It can look like it’s a mint condition vehicle in a first glance but… If the car has a glowing check engine light, starts to spew a smokescreen behind it… or even have the clutch slipping? It will drive away future buyers. Do the regular maintenance like oil or the filters, fix whatever you can… the better a car looks and the least issues it has the more chances of it being seen and getting a call to see it in person.  

3- Be honest, Be responsible, Be reasonable.

Not all of us are expert mechanics. And we all know that one of the most usual questions that we will get asked by customers is “How many miles?” “How much horsepower does it make?” “How many break downs it had?” ”Mpg?”… And then the dreaded last question of “How much you were asking for again?”

Alright… Remember that YOU CANNOT lie to a customer. It is a crime and it can be prosecuted by the competent authorities; Always make sure to keep every invoice for your car mainteance noted down in a notebook, note its mileage when it was done (not necessary to note down the cost) write things like the last oil change, when the tires were changes or the current mileage on the clock.

Remember, if you abused the car there will be signs left seen easily by those who have a keen eye. Bald rear tires? stiff suspension? Leaking oil? Slipping clutch? That is but a few ways to see how hard a car has been abused during its entire life… which now brings us to the last thing to have in mind when selling our old vehicle.

BE REASONABLE! I know that your car has brought you from hell and back, you have gone for many roadtrips and you installed countless mods on it. Whats important here is NEVER to overprize, never to undersell… Always make sure to reach a price in which both halfs of the deal can be satisfied. And if an agreement cannot be reached, do not be afraid to turn down a buyer.

And that is pretty much all about how to sell your old car! I hope you enjoyed it!