The demand for cars has increased due to the pandemic. People prefer going places using their own vehicles than access public transportation. But buying a new car is difficult due to several concerns in logistics such as manufacturing delays and supply chain interruption.
As a result, people are more inclined to buy used cars these past few months. In June, 1.2 million used cars and trucks were sold. The value of used cars increased as well.
If you have a car that you want to sell, you might consider taking advantage of the current situation and put it up for sale. But before you do, there are some things that you need to do to get the best deal out of your used car and sell it fast, too.
Prepare All the Paperwork
Before selling your car, you need to first assemble all the paperwork. This includes your vehicle title, registration, and insurance papers. You can also include the car manual, which came with the car when you first bought it. Including this document will give the new owner the same feeling of buying a new car.
You can also include receipts of car-related purchases, modifications, and repairs. These documents will assure interested buyers that your car is well-maintained and therefore a worthy purchase.
You also need to prepare a bill of sale, a paper that documents a legal transfer of goods from a seller and a buyer. You can get this form from your local DMV or download it online.
Clean It Up
Your vehicle needs some cosmetic reconditioning, too. Buyers are more attracted to clean cars rather than “as is” cars. Buyers are already paying a lot of money to buy a used vehicle, so it will be comforting for them to know that they don’t need to burn more money for cleaning services right after buying.
Start by cleaning the interior. This means vacuuming the seats and all the corners and crevices. You also need to sweep the dashboard, steering wheel, cup holders, and the other surfaces to remove dust and stains. Make sure that you also remove your belongings from the trunk, glove compartment, and seat pockets.
Next, you need to clean the outside of the car. Wash the exterior and wax it. If you notice that the paint is starting to fade or the coating is starting to peel, you might consider taking it to a nearby spray painting booth for a fresh coat of paint.
Inspect the Technical Aspects of the Vehicle
You will also want to inspect the technical side of the car for issues. Even though your car looks sparkly clean, if the inside is problematic, the car won’t sell. Check the engine bay and clean it if needed. You also need to inspect the wires and make sure that they’re in good condition.
Test the breaks, lights, and tires as well. If you find issues, it’s best to have them repaired. But you’ll also need to consider if you’ll still get the return on investment if you sell the car. If the issues are minor, you can simply specify them in your car listing for transparency to avoid issues after the transaction.
You also need to inspect the underside of your car for any problems. Some buyers can be very meticulous and will have this checked before they close the deal. You may also need to have this part of the car cleaned, especially if the car is very old.
Do Your Research Before Pricing the Car
If you’re not sure how to set your car’s price tag, you need to do a little research. Check online marketplaces for car listings with the same make and model as yours and look at their condition and prices. You can use this information as your benchmark in determining the price of your car.
You have to be careful with pricing, though. You don’t want to state a price that’s too low, especially if you did last-minute maintenance and cosmetic detailing. But you also can’t overprice your car, as it will make the car more difficult to sell. If you charge too much, your potential buyers might click away from your listing to find better options.
While there is a high demand for used cars right now, it’s unclear when this demand would dip. Thus, if you’ve always wanted to sell your car, now is your chance to do it. Just make sure that you do the necessary preparations concerning paperwork and your car’s overall condition before you publish your ad.
