Are you looking to sell your current car? There are many reasons why people let go of their vehicles.
Some choose to upgrade to a newer model. Others, on the other hand, can no longer afford the maintenance that comes with car ownership. But regardless of your reason, knowing where to sell your car is paramount to secure a quick sale.
Thankfully, there is the internet that can help you find a buyer fast. But what is the best way to sell a car online? How can you stay a step ahead of other sellers?
Keep reading below to find out how.
Best Way to Sell a Car Online
The internet continues to play a crucial role in the lives of car sellers. Car dealerships use Facebook lead generation to connect with prospective buyers. Private sellers need to make their online sales ad an effective one.
So how do you do it? Let’s take a look at the essentials you need to cover.
1. Thorough Inspection
Before you put out anything online, you need to make sure that your vehicle is in good running condition. Thus, you need to give your car a thorough inspection. If your car has existing mechanical issues, you can’t expect it to sell fast.
If it does, the buyer will likely offer a low price. Check if you can hear any rattling. Make sure all the lights are working.
Mind your car’s suspension. Inspect if there are any leaky seals or a busted suspension. Don’t hesitate to contact your trusted mechanic. He can give you a fair assessment of the parts you need to repair or replace.
Additionally, you can also change the oil and replace the old tires with new ones. Your buyer will certainly appreciate these gestures. Make sure you factor in these expenses in your price tag.
2. Consider Detailing
Some sellers believe that the best way to sell a car online is to capture the attention of prospective buyers. There is truth in that and you can do so by giving your car a good round of detailing.
Wash your car thoroughly. Use wax and buffers to take its shine to the next level. If you take your car to an automatic car wash service, make sure you touch on the body seams and door jambs.
As for the major scratches, cover them up using touch up paint.
When it comes to the interior, vacuum all the carpets. If they smell, spray some carpet deodorant. Vacuum all the seats including those hard-to-reach areas.
Lastly, make sure you have all the key documents of your vehicle. The documents should also include the ones coming from your service providers.
3. Determine the Current Value
Next, you need to know the current value of your vehicle. Thankfully, there are online tools that can help you determine if you are pricing your car fairly. Check out Consumer Reports, Autotrader, or Edmunds to get an idea of the current market value.
Another way is to go for an in-person appraisal. Sometimes, dealers who conduct appraisals also offer trade-ins. When trading your car, don’t hesitate to haggle for the best deal possible.
Additionally, be mindful of the financing. This is crucial if you still have pending payments for your current vehicle. If the value of the new car is less than what you owe on your existing car loan, you still need to settle the outstanding amount of your loan.
4. Take Photos
When taking photos of your car, make sure you cover all the key areas. These include close-up pictures of the paint job as well as the clarity of the headlights. Take shots of the interior and showcase how clean the car is.
Don’t forget to take photos of the wheels as this is a big deal for some prospective buyers. Go all out with the photos by using a good camera. You don’t need to spend on a high-end camera.
A smartphone with a powerful camera will do the trick.
5. Where to Sell?
After taking the photos, you can start identifying the possible websites where you can post your ad.
One of the most popular websites is Craigslist. You can post your ad on the website for free. Moreover, the website offers numerous options to make your ads more enticing. It also allows you to post multiple pictures.
The problem with Craigslist, however, is that it is also a favorite of scammers. Since it doesn’t charge anything, some fake buyers take advantage of unsuspecting sellers.
Another good option is eBay Motors. The site gives you an option to post your ad with a fixed price or enlist your vehicle in an auction. Posting an ad is free. But if you get to sell your car, eBay Motors will charge a fee. The fee depends on your car’s sale price.
It is a perfect venue to post your ad considering the 160 million buyers the website has.
There is also CarGurus that offers several tools you will find useful. Some of these tools include a dealer trade-in estimate, price analysis, and instant market value, to name a few.
Through these features, you will see if you are offering a good deal to prospective car buyers. You can also compare your price to other vehicles for sale in your area.
6. Create Your Ad
When creating your ad, you need to be as specific with the details as possible. You want to be transparent to buyers.
Take your time when writing your ad. List down all the existing flaws of your vehicle. Tell the history of the car including its major fixes. You also need to include your final price.
Your goal is to make your ad answer all the possible questions the buyers may ask.
7. Deal with Buyers
When dealing with buyers, you need to screen them carefully. If they have questions, respond to them as soon as possible. Avoid buyers who have trouble financing the payments.
Be ready for negotiations. This means adjusting your price to arrive at a win-win situation. But before negotiating, set a minimum price that you are willing to agree upon.
Improve Your Buying and Selling Skills
Combining the tips above leads you to the best way to sell a car online. And if you’re going to make a career out of selling vehicles, you need to practice to get better.
To further improve your buying and selling skills, we invite you to read our different articles. We provide guides and tips that will help you become a better negotiator and closer.