This is a part of a series of articles provided by the MOT Chelmsford blog.
When you have decided you want to sell your car, the first thing you will need to know is the value of your car. There are a number of ways you can find out, including magazines, local newspapers and online. There are several website where you can receive an instant free valuation just by providing a few basic details about you car such as its make, model and year. Car advertisements in your local newspaper will also give you a guide as to how much a car like yours are selling for.
When you have decided you want to sell your car, the first thing you will need to know is the value of your car. There are a number of ways you can find out, including magazines, local newspapers and online. There are several website where you can receive an instant free valuation just by providing a few basic details about you car such as its make, model and year. Car advertisements in your local newspaper will also give you a guide as to how much a car like yours are selling for.
If you are going to sell your car privately, you are almost certainly going to get a better price than selling it to a dealer. After all, a dealer has to be confident that he will be able to sell it on for a profit, so he is sure to offer you less than your car is really worth. That said, you should bear in mind that selling your car yourself will take more of your own time and be more of a hassle than selling it to a dealer. Another option, is to sell it at a car auction where you will have to pay a commission on the sale price your car fetches.
Before selling your car get it into the best possible condition both on the outside and the interior. A professional clean might well give you the edge over other similar cars being advertised for sale in your area. Make sure the tyre pressure is correct and check the oil and screen wash.
When advertising your car give as much detail as possible. Whether online or in the local newspaper, list the make, year, model and style including how many doors it has. You should also include the mileage, colour and engine size.
Always mention any extras your car has that will be popular with potential buyers, such as power steering, air conditioning, four-wheel drive, in-car entertainment system, sun roof etc. Why not also put a For Sale notice on the car itself remembering to include your phone number so that anyone who is interested knows how to contact you.
Be sure to emphasise the best features of the car. If it has a low mileage, say so. Point out if it is particularly reliable or very economical on fuel. Think back to what attracted you to the car when you bought it. The chances are that the same features will make it attractive now.
When it comes to the actual sale always have an absolute lowest price in mind and keep to it. You may have to negotiate to a degree but never go below what you really want.
When accepting payment for your car, cash is usually the best option. In addition, a bank or building society draft is a reasonable alternative as it is as good as cash and can only be issued if the buyer has enough money in his account. If you do have to accept a cheque, do not part with your car until the cheque has cleared. Any genuine buyer will accept having to wait a few extra days.
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Thank you for visiting the MOT Chelmsford blog.