Selling a car privately. It can undoubtedly offer benefits compared to just trading in your old vehicle. However, there’s a lot to think about to make the most of the sale. To this end, today, we’re looking at tips for how to sell your car privately in the UK. Hopefully, this will allow you to make the right calls for your own car sale, too.
What You Should Know When Selling a Car Privately in the UK
Private car sales are great opportunities. However, there are several things you may need to prepare for to sell your car more easily.
First of all, make sure you can answer the burning question on every buyer’s lips: why are you selling? Chances are, you’ll simply be changing to a new car. However, giving a clear answer when buyers ask this question can help reassure them. A cagey answer could instead cause buyers to become suspicious.
With this answer ready in your mind, it’s time to research the market value for your car. Fortunately, this is an incredibly simple process these days. Heading to online car listing sites allows you to search for similar vehicles; in turn, this should give you a good idea of what a car like yours is worth. Be careful when choosing a price for your vehicle, too; overcharging will likely put buyers off, but a low price may make the car seem “too good to be true.”
Now, make sure you’ve got all of your paperwork to hand, ready for the sale. Obviously, you’ll need the car’s keys and V5C logbook. If you’ve got any spare keys, be sure to dig these out too.
It’s also worth getting a copy of the latest service and MOT history. Along with a car history check report, this gives you a clear picture of the car’s background and all its past records. Cars with a good history are usually worth more, so it’s important to check.
Listing Your Vehicle for Sale
Now you’ve got everything ready, it’s time to list your car for sale. If you’re selling privately, you’ll likely want to head to one of the aforementioned selling sites. Luckily, this is a very easy process.
First of all, you’ll need photos of the car. Make sure you’ve cleaned it thoroughly inside and out, and if possible, try to photograph it in bright light. It might seem a subtle difference, but this can actually make a huge impact on how your car looks!
Next up, a description is needed! Make sure to include all key details such as the vehicle’s make and model. Be sure to also add any information, such as whether the car is modified and how you have used it; the more information you give, the more confident buyers should be!
With your listing up, all that’s left to do is wait for buyers to contact. Be prepared to answer any questions they may have. Bear in mind, too, that you may need to welcome several viewings before someone agrees. Many buyers will also make offers rather than paying full price; so, be sure to consider in advance whether you’ll accept offers or the full asking price only.
Always Provide Full Documentation!
As we mentioned earlier, it’s crucial to find your paperwork before listing your car for sale. Be sure to hand this over when the buyer pays and collects the vehicle. In addition, it’s worth drawing up a receipt for the buyer, and keep a signed copy for your own records.
Final Thoughts
Trading in your car to the garage is simple, sure – but you’ll often sacrifice a lot of money. Thus, if you want to get the most back from your vehicle, private sales could be the way to go. However, there’s also a lot you’ll need to think about in this regard. So, make sure you stick with today’s tips. And, don’t forget to run a car history check to verify you can answer any questions a buyer might ask!
