Car Selling Tips

for getting you the money you really want completely stress free...

Do you want to get the price you really want each and every time you choose to change or sell your car without all the stress and hassle you normally get?

If the answer's yes the tips and advice on this page (if used and followed) could do just that for you...

Getting your car ready for sale...

This is an essential part of your money making plan.. (well, it is if you want to get the best price for your car)...

• Roll up your sleeves and get the wax out - clean your car inside and out, in every nook and cranny. Make sure it's as tidy and sparkling as possible. Even if your car's really an absolute cracker a buyer's emotions won't believe you if it's dirty. A sparkling shiny one speaks volumes. We all like things clean and sparkling it makes us feel good, and helps us see the good in what we're looking at.
• How long is your MOT... and I don't mean 12 inches... If you've got less than 6 months consider getting a new one.  An MOT is a big recommendation to your car's basic condition. The newer the MOT the more power it has on your prospective buyer. 
• If your vehicle has a serious defect and is unroadworthy, you could be breaking the law by selling it, which could come back and sting you in the bum and cost you money. Always describe your car accurately... telling lies or being deceiptful creates an excessive emotional reaction from a buyer... And it's true that 'what goes around... comes around'. So be straight or beware!
• To get that professional sparkly look think about getting a full, professional valet service. It might cost you a few quid but it can really make a difference to getting the money you want and how easy you can sell your car.
•  If you car's got any minor paintwork damage or simple mechanical faults try to get them sorted. The cosmetics impact on first impressions, the mechanicals impact on your test drive and inspection... They might seem OK to you but your buyer doesn't trust you... they don't know you from Adam. So rather than having dozens of people messing you around and trying to kick you in googles on price... get the bits done and you've then probably got the best they will find out there. Everyone wants peace of mind... a quality buyer who's not going to give you grief also wants peace of mind and quality. If you stand out from the dross you'll have no problems getting the money you want. 

Now you're ready to get your car up for sale... Yes this part of the job can be stressful so here are some tips for a stress–free sale.

Top ten tips for a stress-free car sale

1. Put a realistic price on your car. If you want a smooth quick sale this is essential.
   • Just check the prices of similar cars in classified ad magazines or online with a UK search. 
2. Any outstanding finance - you can't sell a car with outstanding finance.
   • This is for any loan secured on the car such as any hire-purchase agreements, log-book loans, conditional sale agreements etc... 
   • To sell your car get the finance company's permission or settle the finance first. (If you PX it at a dealer the dealer will agree to settle it for you as part of the deal). 
3. Don't talk Bull and give false or reckless claims. Be careful how you word your advert be truthful and honest.
   • You can use those corny phrases like: 'First to see will buy' to emphasise your car's desirability... But such phrases especially if you've still got the car after a few days will work against you and bite you in the bum.
4. In Your Ads - Stick to facinating facts that potential buyers are looking for or interested in.
   • Describe the car as accurately as possible, highlighting any extra or unusual features you car has over others. E.g. Two previous owners, 125bhp, Cambelt changed last month, etc...
   • Always state your car's year and number plate (e.g. 2001 Yreg, 2003 52reg) 
   • Mention how many months are left on the MOT
   • Say where you are in the world... your local town.. or your nearest well known town... E.g. Near Telford etc.. 
5. In your adverts and on your receipt... always state the condition of your car. 
   • If you're selling it for for spares only, or it requires substantial repairs, say so... If the clutch is slipping, say so... be very, very clear. Mis-interpretation will always come back to haunt you. 
   • And don't forget to put this info on the receipt once you've agreed to sell. Do 2 duplicate receipts with this on and get your happy buyer to sign both so you both have a copy of what you've agreed. This saves any confusion or denials of what was agreed later. Be honest and straight, but get your buyer to be honest and straight aswell by signing to what's been agreed.
6. Your documents and any history are best kept close at hand.
   • Always keep all and any receipts for any work carried out on your car. It's a great collection of evidence to show how well maintained your car has been. Most people don't keep recepits or even remember to get their service books stamped. 
   • Always keep all your MOT certificates this varifies the mileage of your car over the years showing it to be genuine. 
   • Try to remember to keep your service records up to date by getting your book stamped, or if you've not got one buy one from the main dealer and keep it up to date with all the services you've had done. You can always take the book to all the places you've had it serviced for them to get it up to date. If you have time you can always ask the previous owner where they had it serviced and get them to stamp up what they've done. Most garages will even do it through the post if you send a stamped addressed envelope. 
   • Getting a fully-stamped service record, especially a dealer one adds value and desireability to your car. Sometimes it can be a clincher in selling your car quicker. 
   • Always remember to hand over all the documents to your car when you sell.
7. Is your buyer insured to test drive your car?
   • Your own insurance might cover them, but at the same time check before-hand. If it doesn't you'll need them to prove they're covered... unless you're a risk taking gambler. 
   • Don't let anyone test drive your car alone, always go with them.
   • Don't be a victim of car theft – if you go on a test drive in your car and you go to change seats with your potential buyer take your keys with you and then hand them over when you're back in the car... no speedway theft leaving you standing in the road watching your car disappear into the distance. 
8. Don't fool yourself there will be haggling, so build in an extra margin to cover for that. 
   • You can be happy, your buyer can be happy everyone wants a chip.. and you've still got close to what you really wanted.
9. Give them a 'Sold as seen, tried and approved without any guarantee' receipt.
   • If you're in the dark you can copy our free car seller's contract by clicking here.
   • But be aware that no wording on the receipt is completely foolproof.
10. Get your Money... make sure you're paid. 
    • Don't let them drive your car away until you're 110% happy that you've been paid in full.
    • Cash is always the best way to be paid... especially if you know what to look for in forgeries.
    • If you accept a personal or building society cheque, wait for it to clear in your bank first. Cheques are no guarantee of payment just a start to the process. Again, there are a number of forgeries going around. (We've had a few handed in here... even one for £10,000... so beware). 

Sale agreed... You've Sold your car... now what?

You've got your red hot buyer who's struck a deal with you and you've agreed to sell your car. Before the buyer drives off into the sunset draw up your car seller's contract.

1. Print two copies of your contract, there's one for you and one for your buyer.
2. Complete both of the contracts with identical information with your buyer.
3. Both yourself and your buyer should sign and date both contracts.
4. Make sure you each keep a signed copy as proof of the sale and what was agreed as part of the sale.
5. The DVLA needs to be informed that your car has changed hands, otherwise you may get fined £80 and end up with speeding fines, parking ticket fines and other offences from future users of the car.
6. Simply follow the instructions on the V5/registration document.

HOW DO YOU INFORM THE DVLA?

All you have to do is simply follow the instruction on the V5 / registration document.

1. You seperate your V5 down the middle into 2 pieces. One piece is one complete sheet (it shows the car details and owner details).
2. The other piece is made up of 3 perforated slips joined together: a yellow pass to a motor dealer slip, a green V5 part 2 slip and a pink scrap notification slip.
3. You give your buyer the 3 perforated slips. There's nothing to fill-in on these, unless you're scrapping the car or selling it to a motor dealer. The green V5 part 2 stays blank in all circumstances.
4. The other half of the V5 (the one that is one complete piece) has on one side a section for filling in the new keeper's details and date of transfer (date of sale). Get the buyer to complete this with their details and sign the bottom as the new keeper of the car. You will also have to sign the bottom as the registered keeper (or on behalf of the registered keeper).
5. Now most people will ask to take this large part of the V5 away with them... but essentially it has to be sent directly to the DVLA to inform them of the change of ownership.
6. If you pass it over there's no guarantee that the DVLA will be informed which can be a very costly experience.
7. So I suggest you complete it with the buyer, put it in an envelope addressed to the DVLA, SWANSEA, SA99 1BA, stamp it and then post it. Job done, everything all above board.  

I hope you've found this information helpful and useful. If you have any questions about any of this process please feel free to call either Darren or Mark on 01922 640700.
If you want a free valuation on your car you can get one by clicking here.