Everyone needs to switch out their car every once in while. Our lives are not fixed things; we get new jobs, move to new regions, gain new members of the family, or otherwise discover new adulting responsibilities that make our current boy-racer hatchback a bit useless, really. When it’s time to upgrade, it’s time to sell.
We all know that cars are depreciating assets – but when they’re used, they’re used. And when they’re used, they don’t depreciate as much. As such, you’re in good stead to make a decent amount towards your next purchase. That is, providing you present your car in its best possible condition. There are various ‘big things’ that influence the saleability of a car, but sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. Here are a few things for you to be aware of before you put your car up for sale.
First Impressions Start Before the Engine Turns
First and foremost, first impressions are everything – and they don’t wait for you to demonstrate how healthy your engine is. As soon as a prospective buyer casts a glance over your car, they’re making judgement calls based on basic visual criteria: the health of the paintwork, the existence of any undisclosed dents or scratches, the colour of panels against other panels (slight mismatches, of course, indicating replacement at some prior point – itself indicating a prior accident).
Cleanliness and Presentation Still Matter
Suffice to say, then, that the state of your vehicle is key to ensuring the best possible result in a potential sale. This goes right down to the basics, including basic cleanliness. Even a simple valeting can make a major difference as to the ‘kerb appeal’ of your car.
Of course, if you’re sitting on something a little more valuable than the average Golf, you might want to take a different tack. When a used car is sitting under the accumulations of a life well-lived, it’s hard to know exactly what value you have. It’s here that an independent vehicle inspection can be invaluable, both for a professional valuation and for a careful cleaning that’s sure to catch the crumbs your Henry hoover would otherwise miss.
The Paperwork
Here, a crucial reminder: there’s no selling your car unless you can provide the right paperwork alongside it. At the very least, it’s a trust thing; if you can’t provide your V5C logbook, it’s a red flag for prospective buyers. Not only does it verify ownership, but it also indicates the history of the car – an important thing for buyers to know.
Small Mechanical Issues That Can Lower Value
Appearances are key, sure, but it also helps that the car is in decent mechanical operating condition. Your engine may run, but are there any little niggling things that could turn off a prospective seller? A slight knocking or unwelcome vibration could be enough to indicate future issues, even if they are simple fixes.
