5 Pro Tips To Get The Best Price For Your Car
5. MOT
A vehicle that has three days left on its MOT is unlikely to sell for top dollar. The buyer has to immediately pay for an MOT plus any repairs. We’d recommend selling your car with at least 6 months left on the MOT certificate - proving it meets minimum safety and environmental standards. Have the current and historic certificates ready for inspection as they help confirm the mileage reading is correct. If you can’t remember when your MOT is due, find out and set yourself a reminder at Motoring.co.uk
4. Car Service
Ensure the vehicle has been recently serviced to maximise its price. Again, this suggests to the buyer that everything is in order. The same cannot be said for a car that has not been maintained every year. Furthermore, a recent service ensures that the buyer is not required to pay for maintenance in the near future – and that is a big plus.
3. Accurate Car Valuation
It is important to have a realistic, independent, price in your mind when selling your car, so you can roughly know what to expect. A vehicle that is advertised too cheaply compared to similar models might look too good to be true to potential buyers. In contrast, a high price rarely encourages buyers to make contact as there are thousands of properly priced alternatives. A realistic price ensures you – as the seller – get fair market value and attract all potential buyers.
2. Presentation
Ensure that the vehicle is clean inside and out. It might look unloved when dirty and that is a warning sign to a buyer. If the carpet is permanently stained cover it with mats. Custom-fitted mats can be bought online for very little money. If necessary, polish the exterior paint to remove light scratches and restore its factory shine. Be careful not to polish to hard or long and this can wreck the surface. Furthermore, black plastic trim that has faded can temporarily shine thanks to a wipe-on, spray-based, solution. There is a similar product to make the tyres look newer.
Consider the mechanics too. There are numerous minor issues that put-off a buyer that can be fixed cheaply. Examples include replacing the battery so the engine starts properly, adjusting the clutch so the gears engages smoothly, and tightening heat shields to minimise rattles. It might also be wise to remove modifications such as a coloured grille. Typically, a buyer prefers a factory specification as it makes a car easier to sell and cheaper to insure.
You can get a full valet for as little as £15 for a small car, so it really should be a no-brainer. You wouldn’t attempt to sell your house if it was less than shipshape, so why attempt with your car?
1. Documentation
When selling your car, providing the right documents is a must. Make sure you have the following available:
V5C (or logbook)MOT CertificatesService book with stamps where appropriateReceipts for any major repairs done on the vehicle
Transparency and being truthful about the vehicle’s history is key to getting the buyer’s trust, and the best price. Attempting to sell on a car with outstanding finance will be very difficult. Make sure you have cleared any outstanding balances with the manufacturer or finance company before attempting to sell your car.
