Tips on selling your car

Word of mouth usually works wonders when you want to get information across. Like a virus, your visibility spreads throughout a network of people who refer you to each other. But other than telling your friends to tell their friends that you are selling your car, here is some some basic useful information on things you can do to sell your car.

Maintenance and Cleanliness 
The same way first impressions count when you are going for an interview, is the same way that your car's first impressions to a possible buyer should be, the impression shouldn't last to the second base of the sale but should make the buyer make an offer. 

Things like like a cracked windscreen, a tear in the upholstery, a damaged dashboard, or dents and scratches in the paintwork are things that are very likely to put them off from even recommending you to someone else.

When you bought your car, it was neat and clean, so take your car to be thoroughly cleaned inside and outside. Even though the car might be used, the buyer still has to feel that they are purchasing something 'new' and worth their money.

But don't think that if your car looks great on the outside, the buyer will overlook any mechanical problems your car might have, so before putting the car on the market, get it checked out by a professional mechanic . You need to try and get your car as factory standard as possible, in that way it will sell for a higher price. 

Once your car is fixed you are now  ready to put your car on the market.  

Paperwork 

It is very important for you to have the correct and necessary documentation when putting your car up for sale. You must be able to provide basic documents like an invoice, a copy of the buyers ID book as well as proof of residential address, an up to date service history book, the original registration certificate and a transfer form (Yellow) obtainable from your local licensing office which must be signed by yourself. Do not accept faxed copies of deposit slips.

Platforms to sell your carte
There is a wide range of platforms where you can advertise to sell your car. You can do it old school buy putting an add in the newspaper, putting a for sale sign in the window with your number or simply just post an add in the Internet. Do a lot of research to ascertain a fair price for your car and  look at a number of websites to get a good indication of the selling price for cars that are similar to yours. Also, mention all the features of your car in the advert and include all the extras and include in the ad a good quality photograph of you car.

Handling responses
You have to be ready to take calls because buyers will call at anytime, and you must be available to answer questions about your vehicle. You don't have to give out unnecessary information over the phone, but you must make sure the vehicle is available for viewing and test drives.


For more details on buying and selling a car in South Africa you can go to www.autoadvice.co.za