Get top dollar for your used car
If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, you may be thinking about trading in your current vehicle at the local dealership. If you don’t have much time and are willing to lose a few thousand dollars, then by all means trade that car or truck in. You won’t have to pay a percentage of the sales tax on your new automobile that is equal to the trade-in value of your old car. At a sales tax rate of 8%, that could be as much as $160 for a $2,000 trade-in. However, with a little effort, the same $2,000 trade-in automobile could be sold for $3,000 to a private party. And for a few hours of labor, that may be worth your time.
Most folks are eager to get their hands on an additional $1,000. First, use edmunds.com or kbb.org to begin your search for your car’s fair market value. To get an exact value, enter all of your vehicle’s available features and miles. Screenshot the page or print it out. You now have access to all of the information about your automobile, as well as the estimated market value that private party sellers in your area are ready to pay.
For lots of potential buyers, place a free listing on Facebook, Craigslist, eBay, or other site/app of your choosing. You can also place a sign in the window as you drive around. Be prepared to provide information such as the make, model, year, mileage, engine cylinder size, and so on. Check out sites like autotrader.com for online vehicle sales listings. Get a copy of your car’s title and put it somewhere you’ll be able to find it quickly if an interested party wants to buy it right away. You’ll need great photos as well, so read on for more details.
Take the vehicle to a local car wash and thoroughly clean it on the inside and out. You can also do this in your driveway. Everything should be taken out of the trunk and other storage areas. Make sure the spare tire and jack are properly secured. The interior and trunk should be vacuumed. If feasible, use a spot remover to remove stains from the seats and trunk carpet. The car’s floor should only include floor mats,
Unless the repair is relatively modest, such as changing a fuse or a bulb, don’t spend money for mechanical or electrical repairs. If your automobile has any issues, be upfront with the buyer. Take the car to a fast oil change location to get the oil changed and other fluids topped off. Most quick oil facilities will also fill up your antifreeze, transmission fluids, and power steering fluid. You’ll be able to use this as a selling point and a potential buyer will see a well-maintained vehicle.
Be prepared to answer questions honestly when potential buyers contact you. Try to schedule specific meeting times. Don’t say anything ambiguous like “sometime tomorrow.” Request that the person arrive during the day rather than at night. If at all feasible, obtain the prospective buyer’s phone number. However, don’t be disappointed if the potential buyer fails to show up or arrives late. Keep in mind that a potential buyer is your customer, so be understanding and flexible.
Check the buyer’s driver’s license before allowing him or her to take the automobile for a test drive. During the drive, you should accompany the customer and guide them on a short and familiar trip. Don’t be too adamant about your pricing throughout the negotiation. You should be prepared to take less than your quoted price, depending on the resale value of your automobile. Know what your lowest price is ahead of time and always accept cash only.
Be extremely cautious when getting inquiries from potential purchasers in response to your web or app posting. Scams are everywhere. Be smart and safe when selling your car. Most people are good and will honor transactions as agreed. However, it doesn’t hurt to be careful and aware.
Who knows? You may enjoy cleaning up vehicles for sale and turn it into a real money making hobby or business!
