How to Prepare for Selling an Old Car in Burlington

How to Prepare for Selling an Old Car in Burlington

Posted on October 1, 2021

Of all the advice we offer car buyers and sellers, we think the best is ‘put yourself in their shoes’. When selling a car, that means thinking like a buyer. Considering what they want to see, how they want to feel and what they might be looking for in a car.

While it’s impossible to know exactly what’s in someone’s mind, it is possible to consider what is likely to be there, which will help prepare for sell and old car.

Preparing the Car

When you prepare for selling an old car, consider what a buyer will want to see. What are they looking for? What will they not want to see? What is most likely to make them buy?

We consider a few things worth thinking about. A clean car tells a buyer it has been looked after. A car without minor defects also hints that a car has been well maintained.

No little jobs to do like changing tires, fixing broken bulbs or changing perishable parts means less work for the new owner, which is definitely something they look for!

Preparing the paperwork

A buyer will also want to see as much paperwork as possible. That includes service history, receipts for maintenance work and perhaps a Carfax report if you’re selling privately.

The more paperwork you have, the more reassured a buyer will be. While a full service history is no guarantee of condition, it’s an indicator that the car has been looked after.

Receipts for maintenance or repairs are also a good sign. It shows you have repaired the car when necessary and taken adequate steps to keep the car in good condition.

You’ll obviously need the car’s official paperwork as no car sale could be complete without it!

Value the car like a buyer

Everyone wants a good deal so pricing your car correctly is essential. Do your research, use Carfax, Kelley Blue Book, Auto Trader, eBay, Craigslist and Kijiji and compare like for like.

Once you have an idea of what your car is worth, select a price somewhere in the middle. Price it high and you’ll put some buyers off. Price it low and you won’t get as much as you could.

Pricing it in the middle ground makes the car appealing without selling it, or yourself, short. Plus, it shows a buyer you’re not a pushover or desperate to sell, which comes in useful during negotiations.

When it comes time to negotiate, be prepared to deal but don’t immediately accept the first offer, unless it’s asking price.

Buyers almost always start low and work up while sellers start high and work down. Work with the buyer and have your research on hand so you can prove your valuation is a fair one.

Accept a fair offer and everyone should walk away happy.

Of course, you could avoid all this by selling your car to a dealership! We’ll always offer a fair price!

For any questions, concerns, or inquiries. Please don’t hesitate to contact us here!

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