Thinking Of Selling Your Old Car? Do These Three Things First
Do you have an old car that you never drive anymore? Perhaps you kept it around to give your teenagers something to drive and now they've moved on to other rides, or maybe you just didn't get around to selling it after you purchased a new car several years ago. Whatever the reason, if you've decided that the time has come to sell the car, there are several steps you should take now to ensure a smooth sale. You probably already know that you should look up the vehicle's value in the Kelly Blue Book and set a reasonable price as well as make sure it's clean inside and out before showing it to prospective purchasers. Here are three more things you can do to help facilitate a speedy and seamless sale.
Get Your Paperwork in Order
Few things are more frustrating than finding a buyer for a vehicle only to find you've misplaced the title, registration, and any applicable maintenance records. Be sure to have these on hand before you list your car in order to prevent disappointment on both sides. Your state may require certain paperwork in order to transfer ownership, so be sure to have that available. You'll be able to find the information you need on your state's DMV website.
Create Honest But Appealing Ads
One of the worst things you can do when trying to sell an older vehicle is to misrepresent the car by trying to make it seem nicer than it is when creating your ad. This approach simply wastes everyone's time — being honest about the condition and age of the car helps ensure that your ad generates honest interest. Point out the positive aspects of the vehicle but mention the negative ones as well, and take several clear photos.
Get Rid of Exterior Dents and Dings
Taking your car to a body shop for the purpose of getting rid of exterior dents and dings will help portray it in the best possible light to prospective buyers and make it stand out from other cars in the same price range. Your local auto body repair shop will also be able to eliminate scratches and other visible detriments. They can also give your car a paint job that will give it a whole new look. Most body shops also have an onsite detailing department that can thoroughly vacuum and steam clean your car's interior.