Selling a used vehicle requires preparation, and taking the time to get your car ready for sale can lead to a higher price. The effort involved is minimal, but the result might surprise you. First impressions are critical when you are trying to sell anything, whether it is a house or a vehicle. Real estate agents often use fresh coffee and baked bread to create a welcoming atmosphere. In the auto industry, this concept is known as showroom appeal. If a potential buyer is impressed at that moment, the chances of a sale increase significantly. The same logic applies when selling a car from your driveway. Improving the visual impact when a buyer first sees the vehicle gives you a better chance of closing the deal.
Inspect the vehicle carefully
Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes to improve your chances of getting the best possible price. Closely inspect the car from all angles, looking at it from a distance and up close. Sit inside the cabin and take note of anything that might put off a prospective buyer. Things like stone chips, scratches in the paint, scuff marks on the trim, and heel marks in the carpet detract from a car’s appeal. You might consider having these minor imperfections fixed before offering it for sale. Repairing scratched or chipped paint and removing small dents can have a huge affect on the vehicle’s appeal. There are companies and tradespeople who will come to your home or workplace to do this for you, and it won’t necessarily cost the Earth.
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Open the bonnet and check the engine for oil or coolant leaks. A clean engine can make a huge impression. Start preparing for the sale as soon as you decide to move the car on, rather than waiting until the last minute. It can take time to give your car a pleasant odor, so start by using an air freshener a week or two before you plan to list it. Wash the car to remove all dirt and deposits from the painted surface, and consider using a cut and polish to bring up the shine. Clean the windows, inside and out, so they sparkle. Don’t forget the door jams, which are the first things seen when you open the doors.
Detail the interior and boot
A smelly, untidy cabin is an immediate turn-off for anyone looking to buy a car. It suggests the owner does not care. Remove the floor mats and vacuum out the whole interior, including under the seats. Clean the seats, door trims, and the dash, which is particularly important because it is the thing you see most when you sit in the driver’s seat. Remove anything you find under the seats, as loose items can roll around and rattle during a test drive. Empty all storage pockets, consoles, ashtrays, and glove boxes of loose items that might cause noise. The only things that should be in the glove box are the owner’s manual and service book. Ensure the service book is up to date so you can show the buyer you have cared for the vehicle. Have receipts for work done or parts bought, like batteries and tyres, available to show the buyer.
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Tidy up the boot by removing everything that does not belong there. You do not want anything rattling around to distract a potential buyer while they are driving. However, make sure the spare tyre is in place and securely stowed so it cannot rattle. Also, verify that the jack and all the tools that originally came with the car are there and securely stowed. Vacuum the boot out once you have tidied it up. If you do not have the time or inclination to do it yourself, have it professionally detailed. This process only costs a few hundred dollars and it could add thousands to the sale price.
