Car Sale
Friday, January 8th, 2010
Where to Sell
This is a basic question; you have to decide after you have decided to sell your car.
You can sell car in two ways:
Archive for the ‘SELLING’ Category
10 Step Guide To Sell Your Car
Friday, January 15th, 2010
Know Your Market
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Just go through this quick questionnaire to see saleability of your car.
(a) Is your car going to sell easily?
(b) Is it a hot commodity?
(c) Will you have to drop your price?
(d) Is your car’s price getting affected by seasonal? Convertible and sports cars sell in summer. Collector car are difficult to given a price valuation.
Try using internet to see how much others are demanding. Be specific in make, model, year, trim level and geographical location also. Compare their condition and mileage also to have a rough idea.
2-Price Your Car Competitively
Once you have a rough valuation of your car, price it competitively. As a rule of thumb always price it 10% higher then what you want to get from it.
3-Treat Your Car with A Special “Make-Over”
As the common saying “first image is the last image”, most people coming to view your car will make up their minds in first few seconds.
So try to give a positive outlook of your car. Before you advertise make sure it has been cleaned and wash to look attractive for pictures (and “first image” also) you can also following to make it looking nice.
(a) Wash and wax it properly. It may cost you between £15- £50 but reward will outshine cost.
(b) Make sure it is free from dents, ding and scrapes and is mechanically sound.
(c) You can carry out low-cost repairs yourself, further read our “maintaining” section.
(d) Vacuum inside of car to comply with aesthetics of your prospective buyers.
(e) Wipe brake dust off wheel alloys/ covers and clean tyres with a tyre gloss product.
(f) Clean all mirrored surfaces and wipe windows from inside and outside.
(g) Clean dashboard and empty ashtrays.
(h) Documentation like V5C is a must and keep record of servicing schedule and MOT certificates.
(i) Make sure you carry out servicing or even a routine oil change before advertising or trying to sell it.
(j) If you can get written report of mechanic’s opinion from your local garage, will be handy in selling your car.
(k) Get a car’s history and show to prospective buyers, it can be catalyst.
4-Where to Advertise
Now as you and your car are ready to advertise, and then decide now you are going to sell it.
Now as discussed before if you sell to a dealer it is easiest and quickest but money would be remarkably less then selling privately. Dealers may make you a better offer if you are part exchanging. Now a days a number of websites also offer to pay you cash and will visit your home to take their car. Be careful as their valuation is based on your description, so give them as much detail as possible.You can get instant cash but for sure at a cost of big bucks.
Latest market trend says three quarters of people now buy and sell online, so adverting in you local paper/ magazine is a dying trend.
Once you advertise your car online, it is free from any geographical limitations, but it can attract more consumer and tricksters as well. These websites can be from Gumtree, EBay to Autotrader.
5-Crearing Your Ad
Once you have decided where you have to advertise your car. You have to write your ad, keeping in view your product and audience. So before you actually create your ad, make a concise summary having bullet points giving you information about your car and your audience.
Your ad should contain year, make, model and trim level of car other then mileage, colour, and condition, remember too.
(a) Include all relevant information precisely, honestly and accurately.
(b) Also mention exact model, year of registration, plate no, mileage (exact), whether it has a full service history, colour, number of owner (if there is not a long list), list of feature, equipment, price, and contact details.
(c) Online selling has more space to write almost anything. But long bull and cock stories will not catch your reader’s attention. So keep it short and sweet.
(d) Avoid abbreviations and industry slang. It is quite possible that reader of your ad don’t like or don’t understand abbreviation like FSH (full service history), PAS (power assisted steering), AC (air conditioning), EW (electric windows), RCL (remote/central locking), ONO (or nearest offer), VGC (very good condition).
6-Showing Your Car
Usually you start getting buyers, once your ad goes live. So be ready to show your car. Also respect the fact that they may be bit uneasy, so answer their questions honestly and openly.
Potential buyers will want to test- drive take following measures to avoid any disaster.
a) Check driver’s driving licences, and write down their number.
b) Make sure they are insured,(at least third party).
c) Meet them out of your home in day light.
d) If needed change your policy to cover any driver.
e) Before jumping into car, let your buyer know that they will be responsible for any speeding fines.
f) Always first get into passenger seat and then handover keys.
g) Keep a friend or some relative with you, if you feel there is a need.
h) Give approximately 30 minutes to test drive, and if your buyers are not local, then you decide for your route. Map allowing them to drive on different road conditions.
i) Removing dog hair and freshening with fragrance.
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Usually dealing with buyers is quite simple if you correctly use your intuition; if they sound anything but serious then wait for another.
Start screening buyers from email and phone conversations. If you don’t feel comfortable giving then your correct, arrange to meet them at some shopping centre till you are satisfied.
Some buyers may want to take car to their mechanic (here inspection report from your garage comes handy) for inspection, then either you can go along, refuse or let them take if there is enough trust by now.
Some people really test your wits by asking you tricky or open questions “what’s wrong with your car”. Refer them to inspection report or ask them to check your car.
Now never steam cleaned engine as a sparkling engine may make your buyers suspicious or is about to run out then get a new MOT.
7-Negotiation
If your buyer likes your car, then be ready for an offer which can be anything and in any form. That can be “I like the car, but …..”
“What’s your best price……….?”
“I can pay £………..Take it or leave it…..
Be ready for haggling and though initially stick with your decided price but be flexible if things seem to be going now here.
8-Receiving Payment
DVLA now dictates rules which govern sale of motor vehicles. We list certain measure which if taken properly will save you from time-wasters, theft and fraud.
a) Once a price has been agreed ask for deposit clearly starting that it is non-refundable.
b) Never hand over car keys till you have received a clear payment.
c) Always prepare two copies of a written sales agreement and make sure both of you sign and date each copy in following.
DATE TIME;
NAME (SELLER)
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE
EMAIL/FAX
NAME (BUYER)
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE
EMAIL/FAX
VEHICLE DETAILS
VIN………….
MAKE…………….
MODEL…………….
COLOUR……….
TOTAL……………
PAID IN FULL……….. SOLD AS SEEN…..
SIGNATURE (SELLER) SIGNATURE (BUYER)
Contact your insurer to cancel your policy.
Always before finally handing over keys, have a last look everywhere in car, in case there is some valuable item which you misplaced long time ago, it can be your jackpot winning lottery ticket which popped out of your pocket after driving home.
9-Doing Paperwork
Once you have finalised and sealed the deal, make sure you have filled all transfer documents,
You are legally obliged to tell DVLA by sending them relevant form on vehicle V5C.
If your car is in register of Security Company, then inform them also.
You have to contact car manufacturer or whoever issued a warranty giving them of owner’s details.
10-After Sale
Best after sale is peace of mind which you get after making a successful and smooth transaction. It saves you from any hassle and focus is on mutual benefits.
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Preparing Your Car For Sale
Thursday, January 7th, 2010
1-Oil change
Easiest and cheapest.Check dipstick that its fill up to correct level.
2-Check tyres
Too mach inflated or deflated leave any good impression. Tread depth is at least 1.6mm deep while 3mm is strongly recommended.
3-Make sure all lights are cleaned and in working order otherwise replace them.
4-Repair/ replace anything which affects driving.
5-Check your cars brake fluid, windscreen, washer and coolant levels. Use sweet smelling washer fluid for best impact.
6-Replace any missing trims/ badges.
7-Remember damaged alloys can be repaired (often).
EXTERIOR
Make sure that your car’s exterior is ready for buyer’s inspection.
(a) Wash the car using car shampoo and a sponge but never use washing-up liquid which can cause rust.
(b) Scratches can be covered using special fluids like T-cut.
(c) Wheels should be cleaned after finishing with rest of car using a special alloy wheel clearer for stubborn dirt.
(d) Rinse car thoroughly with a hose or bucket of water.
(e) Dry with chamois leather.
(f) Use car wax or polish to create perfect sheen.
INTERIOR
(a) Vacuum carpets, mats, seats, dashboard and any dusty crevices.
(b) Use low gloss cleaner on dash board, don’t use household polish.
(c) Wipe glass with window cleaner and damp chamois.
(d) Get minor damage or holes on dashboard fixed by specialists.
(e) Empty ashtrays, spray and wipe them clean.
(f) Use a light air freshener or odor neutralizer if the car smells small. Don’t over use it.
PHOTOS
Make minimum of 08 photos. While main photo should cover front ¾th of car.
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Homework
Wednesday, January 6th, 2010
Always make a prudent valuation of your car. Getting quotes from dealers/garages and doing some net research will help you to make a realistic valuation of your car.
If you looked after your car and has been used less then average, then it can be worth more. Refer to mileage additional you can demand.
Now at save time, if your car lead a tough life, your valuation needs to be adjusted to reflect that.
Be honest about your car condition, popularity and demand for that specific model.
Even if you have bought a special or limited it is not going to make any exceptional difference. If it is packed up with some extra equipment, then you may be able to make few hundred extra quids.
Some highly searchable and popular models can make car lovers go crazy but most cars take their time in selling, so be patient.
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Part Exchange
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
Whenever it comes to part exchange your first objective is to get as much money from your old car as possible. To make sure that you achieve this objective just follow this no non-sense guide here.
1) All related documentation is must to get a top notch price for your car, example of these documents is v5c registration document and current MOT.
2) Make sure all details given are correct on these documentations.
3) A full service history is more like to fetch a better price then few missing stamps, try your garage if they can do something.
4) As a buyer you feel more comfortable buying a car if you get all keys and so same thing happens vice versa.
5) Always carry out service or any other work but calculate wisely whether it is more cost effective to do or leave as it is.
6) A clean car is more likely to get appreciation and so money but if its too filthy or unhygienic then it can be rejected altogether also.
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