Did you know that the U.S. sells about 17.2 million cars each year? The market is full of new and used light vehicles for sale. With such a saturated market, you may wonder how you can make your car stand out above all others.
Luckily, there are numerous ways to highlight the best features of your vehicle to entice buyers. These tips involve everything from getting your paperwork together to writing a killer car description.
So, what should you do to get your car ready for sale? How can you boost curb appeal and make as much as possible? You can read below for our full guide on how to sell a car easily and quickly.
The Paperwork
If you want to know how to sell your car, the first thing you want to do is gather your vehicle's paperwork. Some people already have everything together. If you don't have the papers, then you will have to search for them.
Remember, you cannot sell a car without the proper legal documents. The crucial piece of paper you need is the title. A title proves you own the vehicle and, therefore, are legally allowed to sell your car for cash.
Another thing to keep in mind is whether you still have loans on the car. If you do, you cannot transfer the title to the buyer until you pay those loans off.
Wash and Repair
No one wants to buy a dirty or broken vehicle. Before you even think about putting your car up for sale, you will need to get it washed and repaired.
It may be tempting to turn a car wash or repair job into a do-it-yourself project to save money before you sell a used car. However, taking your car into a professional car wash has several benefits you won't receive if you do it at home. For instance, taking your car into a car wash will maintain its value.
The people who work there know how to clean a car, so it looks spotless. They have equipment and skills that most DIYers do not possess, so they can remove dirt and dust from every inch of your car. You should also pay a little extra to have them clean the interior of the car too.
This way, the car is spick and span. If the car has anything that needs fixing, take it to a mechanic.
You may not think something is wrong with the vehicle. However, it is still a good idea to take it to a repair shop so a mechanic can evaluate the condition. If anything, they can change the oil or rotate the tires.
Any little thing has the potential to make your car more valuable.
Take Some Pictures
Taking pictures is important when you sell a car online. Many people tend to snap whatever photos they can and go with the first ones they take, but that is a mistake.
If you don't professionally list that you are looking to "sell my car," then buyers will not see its true worth. Take care to snap high-quality photos in excellent lighting conditions.
If you take photos in dim or dark lighting, it will not highlight the car's best features. However, you also don't want the lighting to be too bright, or it will bleach out the color of the paint.
Be sure to photograph every angle of the car's exterior and interior. That way, potential online buyers have a good grasp of the car's condition.
Check History Reports
Before posting online, you need to run a history report on the vehicle. This is crucial if you are not the only owner. If you purchased the car from someone else, a history report reveals anything that the vehicle has been through, such as a car accident.
Even if you are the car's first owner, you should still run a history report to post online or show potential customers. You know your automobile inside and out, but your buyers don't know a thing about it.
If they should trust that your car is not a lemon or doesn't have a sordid past, you will need proof. According to the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information, there are several things you should take into account to prevent a vehicle history report scam.
If you do not have an accurate report, buyers will think you are lying to them. Keep in mind, lying to the customer never works. Be 100% honest when selling a car because the customer will eventually find out if anything is wrong.
Write a Car Description
After photographs, the next crucial thing is writing a car description that attracts interest. Car descriptions are the best way to sell a car.
You want to be as thorough as possible when describing your car. Keep in mind that people want as much information as they can get before coming out to see the car in person.
When writing a car description, you should include:
- Make
- Model
- Year
- Color
- Engine
- Miles on the odometer
If you aren't sure if the mileage is accurate, you can always find a service that gives you a free odometer check. After you list the general details, you will write an overview of the vehicle.
A car description entails a few written paragraphs that sound encouraging and upbeat. In your writing, you want to include things like:
- In great condition
- Reliable
- Single-owner
- Low mileage
- A/C system
- Stereo system
- Bluetooth enabled
- Automatic windows
- Leather interior
- Clean interior
- Fantastic in harsh weather conditions
- No smoking inside the car
- Brand new tires
If the car has any special features or any upgrades, mention those in your online description. These are things that persuade people to come to check out the car and potentially sell your car.
Advertise Online
Many states have rules against parking a car on private property or the roadside for advertisement purposes. If you are thinking to yourself, "how to sell my car?" there are other ways to do it.
To avoid any fines, advertise your car online. The internet is the best way to sell a car these days. There are countless sights you can use to promote your vehicle.
All you would have to do is research which sites have the most traffic. Don't limit yourself to just one website, either. You may get more exposure and prospective buyers by advertising on a few different networks.
Finalize the Purchase
Once someone decides to purchase your vehicle, you will want to set up a money transfer. You can go through the bank or use one of the several transfer apps on the market.
Afterward, create a bill of sale that protects both you and the buyer from any risks down the road. In the Bill of Sale, include both your and the buyer's information. You can also list a few details in regards to the purchase.
How to Sell a Car With a VIN Checker
When it comes to the question "How to sell a car," a lot of other inquiries arise. We hope this guide helped pin down the most crucial steps to take if you want to sell a car online. Remember, it needs to be clean, properly photographed, and have a full vehicle history report.
If you want the best VIN checker on the market, check out our VIN checker to unlock your free vehicle history report! This way, you will know that your vehicle has no hidden issues. Afterward, you'll be one step closer to putting your car up for sale.
