It’s time to sell off your (old) pride and joy – and get it ready for its next owner. But getting your car ready for sale isn’t just about removing all those five-cent coins (and mysterious fuzz) from the ashtray – and the Savage Garden CDs are so scratched that they can’t be. get out of the glove box.
Preparing your vehicle properly before selling will result in a smoother experience – and attract better quality buyers who will pay a higher price.
If you want to sell your car, click This and get a price quickly.
So where do you start?
Remove everything from the car
Return the vehicle as it was when it was received. Think of it as a mental cleansing process as well as a practical one.
Organize any remaining finances
Are you still paying off a car loan? Contact your lender to discuss options. Ideally, you should pay off your car loan before you advertise. Many buyers are intimidated by cramped cars.
Fix anything that needs fixing
Hopefully you’ve taken good care of your car and kept it in good condition – but if not, that’s your first destination.
Walkable status means driving safely on public roads. A car in good condition is also a car that has been well taken care of by its owner – a car that will attract better buyers and will sell for more money.
If you don’t know how to check if your car is roadworthy, stop by a reputable local mechanic and have them check it out once more.
They will check to see if the tire has a lot of spikes; that all exterior lights work; that the horn works; that the seat belt is in good condition, not frayed or broken.
In some states, you don’t need to fix these, but something like two tires that have almost come off will cause potential buyers to haggle for ammo – which will lower your final purchase price. Friend.
Indeed, in Victoria and Queensland, you have no choice: proof of road ability is required when selling a registered car. The same goes for the ACT, though only for cars older than six years.
Once the car is rideable, it’s up to you whether or not you fix the aesthetic stuff. Dimples, scratches, and other minor repairable damage will reduce the value of your vehicle. If you don’t fix them, drop the price a bit.
Get it served if it‘it’s been a long time
This means that your vehicle is in a passable condition. If it’s a near-new car and you’ve followed the scheduled maintenance intervals with religious fervor, then you need not worry. But if it’s a little older and out of warranty, and you can’t remember the last time you changed your oil, you should take it in for service. Savvy buyers will ask.
Consider getting rid of any aftermarket accessories
If you have a sports or off-road vehicle, chances are you’ll be financially better off returning your vehicle in its most original form possible. Remove those large, 20-inch forged racing wheels and pop back the factory 18-inch items (assuming they’re still in your garage).
Remove the expensive bull bar and winch, and reassemble the original front bumper. Sell aftermarket equipment separately – it will take more work but you will make more money overall. People love to customize their cars with their own things.
Clean the car before selling
What message would it send to potential buyers if the crust of the McChicken you ate six months ago was festering in the back of their pride and joy of being the future? Not a good one, obviously.
If you’re short on time, take your car to a hand wash if that’s an option. Ask them to do the inside, outside, and engine compartment. Seriously consider polishing the paint. A full professional detail can cost several hundred dollars but it will add thousands of dollars to the price of the car.
If that’s not an option and you have some time, do a basic car wash. Find a shady place, spray it with water first, then use a bucket and sponge with some car shampoo to do the outside. Dip and wash the sponge as often as dirt builds up. Supermarket car shampoo is fine – you don’t need anything fancy. Do not use dishwashing liquid.
After you’ve washed the outside with shampoo, rinse it out again. Then use a chamois to dry the outside and you’re basically done. A quick tip: spray the tire with a spray bottle while you’re at the supermarket, and spray the tires after you’re done rinsing. Few car washes offer a greater reward for the effort. (Spray on the sidewall of the tire only – do not spray on the road contact. Unless you like collisions.)
If you have a lot of time, polishing the paint is worth doing – especially if your car’s poor quality paint has not been treated like this for a long time. A basic car polish, some microfiber cloths and time are all you need. Stand back and admire the reflective, shiny paint that follows is worth an hour or two of the effort – and will make your car look like it’s worth millions in the pictures. (Or at least a thousand dollars, depending on what you have.)
Furniture is equally important. Remove everything, including floor mats. Vacuum thoroughly and separate the carpet. Wipe all surfaces down. If you want – or if you need to – consider extra cleaning the seat to remove those suspicious stains, whether it’s fabric or leather. Your local auto parts stores will sell a lot of products that do exactly this.
The engine bay is also worth cleaning. Wiping all visible surfaces with a damp microfiber cloth or multiple cloths can make a big difference. It’s best to avoid spraying hoses into the engine bay unless you know what you’re doing.
Get your documents in order
If you’ve managed to keep a full service history, make sure you can prove it – ideally with a fully stamped service log. This does wonders for your car’s value. Follow up with your car’s owner’s manual and you’ve got all the documentation you need. Read our guide to other documents you may need to consider when selling your car.
You are ready to go
Take some great photoswrite the ad, calculate the price and then advertise – and all you need to do is see the requests that come in. Pack your bags and say goodbye to your car as it drives off into the sunset for the next chapter.
If you want to sell your car, click This and get a price quickly.
