Once you decide it’s time to upgrade your vehicle, it is highly probable that you’ll look to sell out your current ride. However plausible it may seem, selling a vehicle yourself is a daunting task. You get more money as compared to other options like trading it in and using dealership services. But you have to be cautious at every step of the way.

For a transaction to turn out valuable, you have to prepare the car at its best. This ensures that the price you receive is fair and there are no regrets to cast you down later. There is a great sense of satisfaction when you know that you have handed the vehicle to the next owner. You know they will take great care of it.

Selling a vehicle is not a casual affair. But it does not have to be extremely complicated either. To make things easier, we have put together a list of steps you can follow. This way, you can get a good price, and the transaction goes with a hitch.

Clean it up

This is one basic rule before you go out to sell any product. Many people forget to tidy up their cars before they take photos or ask someone to have a look at their vehicle.

Remove all personal items and throw off all the trash or debris. Also, check under the seats and keep the boot clean. The mess in your car will give an impression that you do not care about the vehicle and prospects can take advantage of this.

Or you can also go for a detailed, cleaning job. This will bring back the vehicle close to its original condition. Professional car cleaners take care of all minute details like scuff marks and minor scratches.

The latter option can cost hundreds of dollars. We advise you to weigh down both the options.  Can you clean it up on your own? Is the professional cleaning heavy on your pocket or is it pretty affordable?

Conduct minor repairs

Before you officially set out to sell your car, take it to an independent mechanic or a dealership for professional inspection. They will provide you a complete report on problems that need fixing. These could range from broken headlights to the bald tire patches.

It isn’t necessary for you to ask them for a professional clean up. You can make fixtures yourself if that is not a hassle for you. Simple fixes include making tires roadworthy. A worn out tire cannot run the same way on roads, and it would raise red flags.

There can be an issue with the windscreen wiper blades. Maybe the floor mats are dirty and torn. Take time to check everything thoroughly. Try to repair or replace things that you can.

Remember that any physical issues will lower the value of your car. Fix them to increase the appeal of your car.

Accessorize

Who can say no to added comfort?

Integrating a few extras can get you more by paying quite less. Following this method, you can attain a better resale value for your car. Accessorizing the car tempts the buyer as they are free from the responsibility to invest in them later.

Some accessorizing details may include offering an extra bunch of keys. You can also put in the navigation system, add a mobile charger or any other customization that enhances the overall value of the vehicle.

Hence, a little investment in these things can add to the returns.

Check the paperwork

You must have paperwork crafted according to the state you are living in. Conduct research and find out the regulations that are relevant to your vehicle. For public feasibility, each state also has comprehensive information available online.

The proof of your ownership of the vehicle is necessary for all regions. Sellers who may owe money on the car need to pay off the bank first. The buyers can write a check for the bank on their behalf, and they can give the remaining balance to the seller.

Some other documents that one needs to sell their vehicle are bills of sales, vehicle record, the source of funds, etc.

The more documentation you can provide about vehicle’s authenticity, the more at ease the buyer feels. It alleviates the overall value of the vehicle.

Know your car’s worth

When you know the actual value of your vehicle, you can decide upon the face value for the adverts. It also gives you an idea of how much you can negotiate. Whether you decide to sell car online or offline, you can still avail numerous digital tools to know its actual worth.

Some websites offer free car valuation, you can opt for them. Or you can shop around to examine what are the market rates for the cars of the same year and model.

Keep in mind, selling the car as a private seller is going to bring in more money as compared to other options. For instance, dealers need to make their profits, and they will keep their cut on each vehicle they purchase.

Knowing the worth of your vehicle gives you a good starting point for negotiations with the prospective buyers.

Design the ad

Marketing holds utmost importance in every business. It can lure customers to a product or turn them away.  Make sure your ads are enticing to the customers. Compose a well-crafted ad for your vehicle. You can either go for traditional classified ads or online selling.

You will be competing with some other classified vehicle ads. Take some time to write the details about your vehicle. Use an eye-catching headline with clear photographs and colourful details. This is the first impression your car is going to make on the public, make sure it is highly convincing.

Following all these steps will allow you to grab the expected price for your car without intense negotiations. The process can turn out to be a breeze if you perform all tasks efficiently.

Author Bio:

About Michelle Joe: Michelle Joe is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences, and express herself through her blogs. You can find her on twitter: @michellejoe524

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