Prep Your Vehicle for Sale
When selling your car to a private party, make it look presentable to maximize the return on your investment.
When you decide to sell your car, whether you sell it to a private party or trade it in to a dealer, you want to maximize the dollars that you put in your pocket.
Following are some helpful tips on preparing your car for sale.
Make It Presentable
Number One Most Important Thing is to CLEAN the Vehicle Inside and Out.
It is a great idea to take it to a professional detailer and have them clean the interior, exterior and engine. A clean, shiny car gives the impression that you care about the car and have maintained it in good condition. On the other hand, a dirty car full of fast-food wrappers does exactly the opposite, and may unfairly devalue your car in the eyes of potential new owners.
Fix Obvious Damage
You should fix any broken items that are easy to replace, such as lenses and headlights, You don't want to give a buyer a reason to not buy your car.
Paintless Dent Repair and Airbrush Touch-Up
Paintless dent repair can be a good alternative to traditional body shop repairs for small dents and dings.
Airbrush touch-up of small scratches and chips is also a good idea because it is cosmetic and it makes the car look better. The repairs are done quickly and many companies will do the work on-site for you.
Windshield and Tires
If the windshield is cracked, you should replace it
Your car’s tires should have some tread life left on them. Tires must be the proper size and match for the vehicle. If you are trading the vehicle in to a dealer, the tires should be fairly new to avoid a deduction when the car is appraised.
Remember the Service Records
Try to have all records complete and neatly arranged for your prospective buyer, this will instill confidence that the car has been well cared for.
If the car has been serviced at a dealer, the service records will be stored on a computer. Ask the dealer for a copy of the service history for your car.
Other Considerations
Be objective about the condition of your car, and be honest with prospective buyers about any serious problems or repairs the new owner will have to assume.
Sell your car "as is." You are not a dealer and you are not required to provide any type of warranty on the car. But be careful that you don't intentionally misrepresent the vehicle's condition, or the buyer may have some recourse.
Include a statement in your bill of sale that the car is sold "as is," and keep a copy of the bill of sale for your records. The bill of sale will establish the date of sale and help protect you from any further liability.
Finally, ask for payment by cashier's check or money order to avoid the hassles that can result from a personal check or a cash transaction.
