10 top tips when selling your car

If you’re looking to buy a new car then the chances are high that you’ll need to sell your old one. In this article we’re going to give you ten top tips for selling your old motor.

1. Part exchange
The easiest way to sell your old car is to simply part exchange it against the new car you are buying from the dealership you’re buying from. All you’ll do is hand them the keys, they’ll then take a look at your car, and tell you how much they are prepared to pay for it. It’s then up to you whether or not you accept the offer.

2. Car buying websites
There are quite a few companies out there whose job it is to buy used cars. Generally, all you have to do is go on their website and put in your car’s details and condition and you’ll then get a rough valuation. What you’ll have to do then is take your car to be inspected by them to finalise the deal.

3. Selling privately
You’ll probably get the most money for your old car by selling it privately. However, this can be a bit of a hassle. Firstly, you’ve got to pay for your advert, then write a description, take some photographs and then deal with potential buyers face-to-face. If you feel that this is the best way to sell your car then try DesperateSeller.co.uk’s advertising package by clicking on the Sell my car option in the menu.

4. Auctioning your car
You could list your car on an auction website. By doing this you can easily set the price at which you are happy to sell. Alternatively, you could just let the auction run and see what potential buyers are willing to bid it up to. However, you need to be aware that you may be legally binded to sell your car at the highest bid so please check associated terms and conditions.

5. Scrapping your car
In the unlikely event that no one wants to buy your old used car then you’re probably going to have to scrap it. If this is the case then it’s your responsibility to take it to an authorised treatment facility. If you don’t then you could be fined and you don’t want that. Also, if anyone offers you cash to scrap your car then walk away immediately. This is because it’s illegal and any money you get for scrapping your car should be in the form of a cheque or a bank transfer.

6. Value your car
One of the easiest ways to find out how much your car is worth is to use an online valuation tool. We actually have one on DesperateSeller.co.uk so if you click on the Value my car option in the menu then you can go and use it to get a market valuation of your car.

7. Clean your car
It’s worth spending a few hours giving your car a really good clean. This is simply because a shiny motor will fetch you more cash and be easier to sell on than a dirty one. It’s also worth using some colour restorer on the paintwork because this will help your car shine like new. Don’t forget the interior either by giving it a good vacuum and wipe down so it doesn’t look too lived in.

8. Repair damage
If your car has got some damage on it then you’ve got to figure out whether it’s worth spending some additional cash getting it fixed before you try to sell the car on. Usually on a newer car it’s worth it but perhaps not so much on an older cheaper car.

9. Take good photos
You really want to make sure that you take a nice set of photos to really show off your car. So try to pick a nice location with a clear background so your car stands out. You should take a photo from the side, one from the front three quarters, one from the front, one from the rear three quarters and finally one from the back. This way potential buyers can have a good look around the car. It’s also worth taking some interior photos too. So, take some shots of the dash, the steering wheel, the gear selector and the front and rear seats. Make sure it’s a nice clear day and not raining or too dark. Don’t be afraid to be too critical of your photos so make sure they’re good enough.

10. Write a good description
When you’re writing the description for your car you want to put it in the best light possible while also being honest. If it’s had any recent maintenance done such as a replacement clutch then mention them as these will be something that buyers know they won’t have to worry about in the near future. You also want to list out any major options and accessories fitted to your car as they could enhance its appeal.

If you are interested in selling your car privately then hit the Sell my car option in the main menu. Good luck selling your car!