buying and selling a car is no longer as simple as going to a dealership and having them do all the work. With so many different makes and models on the market, it can be hard to know what your vehicle is valued at, and what the actual process is when you are going to sell your vehicle. Even though it sounds simple enough, the average person doesn’t really know where to begin when they ask themselves “how do I sell my car? We’ve compiled a list of a few things you are going to need and consider when you will be selling your vehicle.
What will be your asking price?
When the average consumer googles “how to sell my car” one of the first things that any person needs to determine is the actual value of the vehicle they are trying to sell. The best way to determine this is to take a look at other comparables in the market and cross reference based on similar characteristics. These characteristics can be things such as the vehicle’s: condition, mileage, geographical location, and what’s included in the sale (as is or safety certified).
Another important thing to keep in mind is time on the market. You may come across some pricing outliers online, however, pricing is directly correlated with interest in your listing. You can also use some consumer tools as well to double-check your work such as Canadian Black book which is an independent third party that provides vehicle valuation data used by dealers across the country to appraise vehicles. You may also approach different companies or services, such as Top Trade Auto, who will undergo a one-on-one consultation with you to be able to find the proper valuation of your vehicle and eventually sell it as well which will take away your worry of “gosh, how do I sell my car” ? However, if you do tend to work on your own accord, taking these aforementioned characteristics and resources into account should definitely get you on your way to evaluating your vehicle and having an accurate asking price.
How does your ad look?
Next, on the quest of “how to sell my car”, you need to advertise your vehicle to the best of your ability. This can be done through local printed advertisements or the more effective manner which is listing your vehicle online. You can also contact us at Top Trade Auto and we can help make the process streamlined and as smooth as possible. We recommend you take at least 8-10 photos of your vehicle, interior as well exterior. It is important that the photo is in the frame and looks to be high in quality. Secondly, make sure to have a clear, concise, and transparent description that is grammatically correct. These items will create a trust factor for the potential buyer on your ad, who’ll subconsciously be creating an image of who you are as a seller. No need to have the car detailed, however, it is important to show a relatively clean car if you’re trying to maximise the value of the vehicle. Buyers want to see a car in a good overall condition that they can visualise themselves in, not a car that has seemingly been neglected.
Documentation
Lastly, one of the most important things to have in order to be able to finally “sell my car”, is any documentation or outstanding information regarding your vehicle. Your car will need to be free and clear of all liens and encumbrances. This means if you have an existing car loan on the vehicle you’re trying to sell, you should also have a plan to have that paid before transacting with a buyer. Your licence plates are yours to keep, they remain with the person, not the vehicle, so please make sure you’re always in physical control of your licence plate. You should also write up a bill of sale which will include the seller and buyer’s information as well as a generally agreed-upon contractual statement ratifying the sale. Be sure to include the date, purchase price, as well as signatures of both parties, and be sure to retain a copy.
These are just a few of the basics to help get you started on the way to finally being done with that daunting question of “how to sell my car”. If you do want an extremely easy, and streamlined process, be sure to contact us today for a consultation!