Used Car for Sale: How to Sell Your Car for Maximum Profit

I’ve had the unpleasant opportunity over the last few years of selling a used vehicle or two. Out of that experience I have learned a couple tips that might make your car selling experience a little easier.

It’s all in the Details
Every time I pass a used car on the side of the road with dirty tires and a dull coat I just cringe. For a few extra bucks the seller could have the car cleaned up and make back much more than the cleaning fee on the sale price. Similar to the way curb appeal is stressed when selling a house, cars must be shined up to attract buyers. Most detailers will go over your entire car, inside and out, for less than $50.00. If you have a car for sale it is worth it to have the car detailed so it is in the best possible condition to show.

Determining a Price
Once you’ve got the car cleaned up determining a price is the next greatest challenge. There are several ways of valuating your car for sale; however the most widely accepted method is to look up the Kelly Blue Book value for third party, private sales. Go to kbb.com and follow the prompts for selecting make and model. Be honest about mileage, and your cars overall condition. Remember, very, very few used cars are in excellent condition. Most fall into the good/fair category based on normal wear and tear on both exterior and interior parts.

Blue book valuation is not the only method of determining a fair price. I’ve used EBay Motors as a price-setting tool by signing up for an account and searching on completed auctions (under the Advanced Search area) for the vehicle I am selling and in my regional area. This should give you a good idea what the market is willing to pay for your used car for sale.

Advertising
The best form of advertising is a $1.00 “For Sale” sign listing the selling price and your contact number. If you can park your vehicle on a crowded corner during the day you are sure to generate interest. If you are having a hard time finding a place to park the car ask a small business owner in a high-traffic area if you can park your car for sale on their lot. For their trouble you could offer them $100 when the car sells. Newspaper advertising can be expensive, so check with your local credit union first. Most credit unions have a monthly publication, or bulletin, with free classified ads.

Be prepared to swap keys with potential buyers and let them test drive your car. For safety reasons it is best to meet the potential buyer at a public place, such as a fast food restaurant or local store. If you don’t already have your title then fill out a bill of sale – many can be found online specific to your state. This will serve as a receipt for your transaction, until the title is cleared and forwarded to the new owner.