Is it time to sell your car? In order to find a buyer and get a good price, there are a few important steps you’ll need to take when selling, including cleaning your car and providing the right documents. Below are some common mistakes to steer clear of during the sale process.

Failing to clean your car properly

Cleaning your car will help to make it look more presentable and attractive – both in photos and in person. By not cleaning your car, you could deter a lot of buyers, so it’s worth taking the time to give it a good clean. Make sure to thoroughly clean the inside and outside. For a professional spotless clean, consider paying a valet service to clean it for you. Alternatively, you may prefer to save money by doing it yourself. 

Misplacing important documents

Do you have all the right documents you need to sell your car? A V5C logbook is typically the most important document – while you can sell your car without one, many buyers will put off if you don’t have it. Service history records and an MOT certificate could also be worth supplying to help build trust. It could also be worth digging out the car owner’s handbook if you still have it, as many buyers will appreciate this. 

Overlooking small value-boosting repairs

Providing that your car isn’t too old or severely damaged, there may be small fixes that you can make to add value. For example, fixes like alloy wheel repair for scuffed wheels can typically boost the value of your car. Make sure that you don’t overlook these fixes before selling your car. Obviously, the value gained needs to be more than the cost of repairs – for this reason, you should avoid any major work (particularly on an older car, which is already likely to have depreciated a lot).

Trying to conceal problems

It’s never a good idea to try to hide faults with the car. If a buyer picks up on them while inspecting or test driving your car, they’ll instantly lose trust. It may even be possible for a buyer to sue you if you did not disclose any problems that they can prove you already knew about (for instance, if they go to a mechanic for an engine fault, and find that the car has already been in there for the same problem). 

Getting the price wrong

Another big mistake to avoid is mispricing the car. If you price it too high, you’ll struggle to get any buyers. If you price it too low, you’ll be losing out on extra money you could have had in your pocket. To work out the best price, try comparing the price of other cars online that are the same model and a similar age. Remember that any visible damage will devalue your car – a 2016 Ford Focus in good condition is going to be worth more than a 2016 Ford Focus with a huge dent in the back.

(collaborative post)