Things to Fix Before Selling a Car

When you sell a car, it’s either you’ve decided to buy a new one, or you probably need some cash to cover an immediate necessity.  Used cars and vans are always in demand and the sales are evergreen all year round even during this pandemic. In practice, here are your options:

Sell it yourself

Sell it directly to a private party when you can get the best price. By selling it next to the buyer, you’ll get a bit of connection that your car is in good hands but it’s pretty exhausting.

Sell it to a dealer

Considering it is more convenient and cost-efficient. The dealership though may not give you the desired value or best price but you won’t waste time dealing with unscrupulous buyers. They can do most of the paperwork and the documents as part of the service.

Trade-in

Trading your car for a new vehicle sounds like a good alternative as it will go further in many cases, like receiving outright cash or you may convert it as an initial payment for the trade-in.

Even , you'll still have to prepare your car for the sale. Here are some guides you must do to make the sale easier and attract potential buyers effortlessly:

Prepare documents and paperwork in place.

To support your car’s validity, selling it requires documents just like in a regular transaction. Car seller must prepare the Transfer of Ownership/Deed of Sale, the Certificate of Vehicle Registration with Official Receipt, and insurance card readily. Also, compile the car manual, service repair and maintenance records, and other paperwork related to the sale. If the car is loaned out, contact your lender for information on the loan payout and the process of securing the vehicle’s perfect title.

When entering into a contract, it’s important to highlight the term of payment, and that the car is sold “as is, where is”, with no warranties whatsoever.  If all the papers are promptly secured, the selling procedures would come easy.

Study the Market.  

You can research the prices of comparable cars in the market as to how much you can sell your old car. Car prices fluctuate throughout the year. Depending on the purpose of the buyer, not all vehicles are in-demand for all time; some can sell at certain time of the year but luxury vehicles, convertibles and sports cars are collector’s items that can sell only to a few, during a particular season.

Region and climate can also play a factor in determining the utility and price of a vehicle for which it is appropriately valued.

Timing is important

Cars and vans are always evergreen. Selling a convertible or sports car during summer can be a good catch as you can get better offers, not during right in the middle of a typhoon season.

Advertise your car

This is where we can come in and help you out Through our Sell-My-Car Program. You can get the word out yourself in your preferred social media platform. You want to show the best of your car, so take quality photos. Provide detailed information about your car- make, model, mileage, category (body style), and color.

Also, state the asking price as "PM is the key" violates RA 7394 per the Department of Trade and Industry. While you're at it, it's best to mention the  the acceptable mode of payment, and the reason for selling the car. Remember, if you’ve made an upgrade or modifications to the car do highlight them. If any, admit to known mechanical conditions that need fixing in the future, and those that are easily repairable.

Have the car inspected first

Selling your car demands it to be in better condition. Again, we can help you out here should you decide to sell your car through us. But what exactly are the things that need to be inspected? There's the electricals which must work, along with other vital fluids. These includes the transmission fluid, brake fluid, washer fluid, engine coolant and engine oil.

Prudence is your guide

A few “affordable fixes” can add value to the selling price. If you want to refurbish or renovate before the trade, think of how much value they can give to the price. If you change for new tires, prospective buyers may likely pay a little more. But it would be a waste of investment if it only adds to $100 or less.

Buyers do an optical inspection, they will be interested to see the vehicle and check for themselves all the details. They may want to test drive to determine the car’s running condition. Connect with potential buyers eagerly, arrange a schedule and insist they come to view or test drive the car from your home address.

Attention to details of a second-hand car matters a lot. As the saying goes, first impressions last. Dents, dings, faded paint are an instant turn-off for potential buyers, especially if you said the car is flawless. The same goes for the interior. The least you can do is give it a good clean and detail before you put it up for sale. Besides, who would want to buy a car with a filthy interior, or worse, a smelly one?

Most buyers want to be assured that driving the (old) car is trouble-free and wouldn’t want to pay more than what they’ve already spent. Anyway, buyers, in reality, don’t assume that used cars are flawless.

A car’s wear and tear is anticipated when buying a second-hand. Cleaning your car meticulously may show that it is well cared for. Polish it with some minor aesthetic touch-ups because a few small touches can go a long way. For exterior parts, a fresh coat of wax would be attractive and a well-vacuumed and deeply cleaned interior leave a good impression for a higher offer.

If you have a budget, go to professional auto cleaners as they have appropriate tools for every detail of a car. Common areas in a car that are noticeable include car seats, tires and wheels, floor mats, and paintwork. Just keep all receipts of repairs and maintenance readily available for a higher market value.

Depersonalize your car

If you slapped on stickers and accessories on your car, please take them off before selling. Respect the new owner by depersonalizing your car before turning it over to them. The buyer has their own way to customize the vehicle if they desire. Brian Moody, executive editor at Autotrader, said it’s critical to remove any personal touches you may have added to your car over the years. “That’s not necessarily hygiene or a cleanliness issue, it’s more psychological,” he added.

So, whether you sell your car yourself or trade-in for a new one or sell it through a dealership, the guides and tips listed above could make your endeavor a lot easier, and you might as well get the best price of your used car in the market. Take note that selling your car may take a while and you have to deal with the interested buyer nicely and properly. When the deal is successfully sealed, make all documents easily prepared for a smooth transfer.