Getting into an accident can lead to a lot of problems. If you’re the one at fault, you need to worry about the settlement. If you get injured, you’ll have to worry about the medical bills. And, if your car gets damaged, you need to worry about repairs. Needless to say, there are a lot of things you’ll need to handle.
Sure, you can hire a lawyer from firms like oklahomalawyer.com to make the process a lot smoother, but paying the settlement, medical bills, and repairs at the same time aren’t going to be easy. Perhaps, that’s why many people consider selling their damaged vehicle as a last resort. Since you’re in this guide, you’re probably in a similar scenario.
Unfortunately, if the vehicle is damaged, it would only make it more challenging to sell to anyone, but that’s only if you sell it as is. Here are a few tips on how you can turn a not-so-perfect vehicle into an appealing purchase to buyers:
1. Prepare The Documents
Even if a car is in tip-top shape, it won’t mean anything if buyers aren’t sure whether they’re making a legitimate purchase or not. So, before anything else, you need to prepare all the paperwork implying that your vehicle is officially on sale. Doing so eliminates any doubts buyers may have when purchasing the vehicle.
Here’s a list of the paperwork you need to prepare before selling your car:
- Vehicle registration certificate or V5C
- Service history records
- Receipts from bought parts
- Ministry of Transport (MOT) test certificate
You can use a printable bill of sale form to prepare the needed information.
While not all of these are required, it’s still a good idea to include all of them as it helps relieve buyers of their doubts about the purchase. After all, they’re buying a secondhand vehicle, so it’s only natural for them to be cautious. And, believe it or not, buyers will prefer going through a lot of paperwork rather than none at all. Once you’ve prepared the documents, it’s time to work on the actual car, and what better way to do that than by maintaining its appearance.
2. Make The Vehicle Look Appealing
If you want to sell a secondhand vehicle for a high price, you want to make it look appealing to the buyers. You need to check the mats, upholstery, steering wheel, and buttons, and see if there’s anything you can do to make them look better.
Perhaps, use a rag and wipe some dust you find while you’re inspecting the vehicle. It’s also worth using a perfume right before the sale so it gives off a fresh vibe. It’s also worth noting that the seat is what buyers look at before anything else, so you might want to clean the seats as thoroughly as possible. If it’s not possible, consider buying a new seat cover instead.
However, if you don’t have time to do all these, you can always send the vehicle to a car salon.
3. Optimize The Vehicle’s Performance
Optimizing your vehicle’s performance will go a long way in convincing buyers to pay a higher price since they’ll take the car to a driving test at least once when making their decision. Here are a few ways to do it without breaking the bank:
- Oil Change: One of the most affordable ways to improve a vehicle’s performance is to change its oil to a more suitable type. You can look at your vehicle’s model on the Internet to see what kind of oil is most appropriate for it.
- Polyurethane Bushings: If you think the vehicle’s suspension is a bit lacking, you might want to consider replacing the bushings with poly bushings. They’re affordable, and they can significantly help reduce the noise and vibration during rides, both of which are often noticeable aspects of a vehicle’s performance.
- Install Air Springs: Due to recent technological advancements, air springs are now a lot more cost-efficient, so it’s worth installing air springs to your vehicle as they make road trips a lot more comfortable for the driver.
- Spark Plugs: Although spark plugs aren’t as expensive as other parts, their effects on a vehicle’s performance are enormous, so it’s always worth buying new spark plugs before the sale.
4. Capture Aesthetically Pleasing Photos
Believe it or not, photos are a huge thing when it comes to buyers. These provide them with a closer look at the vehicle, allowing them to spot possible issues and check if the vehicle’s overall look is up to their standards. Needless to say, if you want to sell a not-so-perfect vehicle, you might want to take as many pictures as you can. However, make sure these photos are of high quality and show valuable information, rather than just shots of insignificant areas.
5. Post Advertisements On Suitable Platforms
You’ve now prepared the vehicle to be show-ready. What’s left now is to look for suitable buyers. One way to get as many buyers as possible is by posting advertisements for the vehicle on various platforms. And, before you decide that posting the ad on as many platforms as possible is a good idea, remember that there’s a chance you’ll encounter low-ballers and spammers. So, ideally, you’d want to post only on reliable platforms, such as Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
Furthermore, when posting the advertisement, make sure you provide the basic information about the vehicle, such as the model, age, and even mention that it’s no longer new. Once you gather enough momentum, buyers will start asking for the price. On that note, if you’re going to discuss the price, it’s much better to do it personally rather than over the Internet.
6. Complete The Transaction Personally
While it’s a lot more convenient to complete the transaction virtually, meeting the buyer in person is always a good idea if you want to see if they genuinely want the vehicle. Most of the time, genuine buyers would offer a higher price, rather than those looking to sell it to others or give it as a gift.
Also, take note that some buyers will be persistent in lowering the initial price, so you might want to add USD$1,000 to USD$2,000 to the price you want.
Final Words
Selling a vehicle is already hard enough as it is, so, naturally, it’d take a lot more effort when selling a car that’s been used or has been through a lot. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get a good price from it. At the end of the day, you’re the one who knows your vehicle the most, so you should know best how much it should really cost.
