Preparing Your Car For Resale
Ready to upgrade your current car? Here’s our guide on maximizing your current cars resale value and getting the most money you can to put into your upgrade. Whether you’re looking to sell privately or trade in at a dealership, follow our top tips below, and you’re sure to get as much possible!
1. Clean Your Car Thoroughly
When buying a car, first impressions count! If the car you’re selling hasn’t been cleaned in years, and you’ve got rubbish throughout – a great place to start to the resale process is to give it a good clean, inside and out. Make sure to wash the exterior well, give it a good scrub and rinse off. When starting on the interior, make sure to vacuum the floor, floormats and seats, clean off all fingerprints on windows and wipe down all surfaces. The shinier the inside, the more appealing!
2. Perform Necessary Repairs
While you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a car you’re wanting to sell, sometimes fixing those smaller things that you’ve neglected can be beneficial. Smaller repairs such as replacing the bulb in your taillight or replacing the wipers that don’t clear the windscreen anymore can definitely help attract a buyer if the car is in good working condition, and often fetches a higher price.
3. Gather Documentation
When selling your car, get the documentation ready as this is one of the most common questions buyers will ask. Have your cars service records and any completed modification work receipts prepared to build trust with potential buyers.
4. Set a Realistic, Yet Competitive Price
We recommend having a look on Trade Me or Facebook Marketplace at similar models in your area that are also for sale. Having a realistic yet competitive asking price in mind will not only stop yourself from being disappointed if you don’t get any hits, but will also help to sell your vehicle faster. Make sure to consider your car’s condition and mileage when comparing to other ones.
5. Take High-Quality Photos
Photos are a huge part of making a car look great on the internet, and attracting potentially buyers to physically wanting to take a look and consider purchasing. Make sure the photos are well-lit and you are using a decent camera, whether that be an actual camera or your phones – the clearness of photos is important, especially if the potential buyer is out of town and they want to be sure on it before viewing in person. Include photos of your car from multiple angles, including the interior, exterior, engine bay and boot. Make sure to also include any special or safety features on the vehicle, and any recent upgrades.
6. Create an Attractive Listing
When creating your listing, make sure to include a detailed and honest description of your car. Mention as much information as you can to avoid needing to answer the same question over and over. Consider writing about the followinVehicle Year, Make & Model
– Vehicle Kilometres
– Rego and WoF expiries
– Key Features
– Any Modifications
– Any Recent Maintenance
