Selling a car might seem easy but if you want to get the most money for it, make sure the car is at its best. Think about what used car dealers do to sell their cars. You’re competing with them and since you’re playing the same game, you need to be in their league.

Putting in just a bit of time and a little money, you’ll get that amount back and more. It’s really smart to prepare your car well. People are trying to imagine themselves in the car when they come to see it, so do your best to make that car look like something they want to buy.

When it comes to selling, you want to provide good service. Be available and look presentable when people come. Respect their time and thank them for coming out to look at your vehicle.

Ok, on with the list…

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Selling Your Car Checklist

Not in any particular order:

1. Wash and detail clean your car – inside and out.
2. Get all of your personal belonging out of the car.
3. Do an oil change.
4. Replace the air filter.
5. Check the fluid levels.
6. Inflate the tires properly.
7. Fix minor problems to the interior.
8. Buy new floor mats.
9. Steam clean the upholstery and carpets.
10. Buy an air freshener.
11. Touch up paint.
12. Clean your headlights so they’re not foggy anymore.
13. Clean the trunk.
14. Wipe down parts under the hood.
15. Clean the windows – inside and out.
16. Remove all bumper stickers and window stickers.
17. Wax and shine your car.
18. Have a complete inspection done by a mechanic.
19. Make sure the car is safe – tires and brakes should be good.
20. Make sure the title is clean and in your name.
21. Advertise it in as many places as possible – online and offline.
22. Consider donating the car to charity.
23. Shine the tires and wheels.
24. Don’t let people test drive the car alone – go with them.
25. Get a copy (or take a picture with your phone) of the driver’s license of anyone who comes and wants a test drive.
26. Order a vehicle history report (CARFAX, etc.)
27. Print up a sell sheet for your car to hand out.
28. Make a one-page website for your car to help with online advertising.
29. Promote your car on Facebook and Twitter.
30. If you were the only owner, mention that when people come to see it.
31. When people come, casually mention that you’ve been getting lots of calls (if you have been).
32. Set an attractive sell price.
33. Get any annoying things fixed.
34. Post a “For Sale” sign on the car with a phone number and price.
35. Screen people by phone first before they come over.
36. Look presentable when people come to see the vehicle.
37. Don’t give an answer to the question, “What is the lowest amount you will take?”
38. Remember to cancel your insurance after you sell the car.
39. Get all your car’s maintenance records together and show that folder to people.
40. Post nice ads with great pictures of the vehicle.
41. Do research and know the value of your car. See what similar cars in your area are going for.
42. Don’t rush people who come to see it.
43. Don’t back out of a deal on just $50 if you have no other interested buyers.
44. Under promise and over deliver.
45. Get to know your buyers a little – ask where they are from, what they do, etc. Try to connect with them a little if you can.
46. Don’t show the car at night when it’s dark or in the rain or snow.
47. Mention all the features of the car in your ads.
48. Mention recent repairs in your ad.
49. Smile!
50. List your car on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. Be available those times.
51. Only take cash for payment.
52. Make sure a deposit holds the car for 24-48 hours or less – no more than that.
53. Make sure the stereo if off so that it doesn’t turn on when people get in to test drive it.
54. Watch out for Craig’s List scams.
55. Respond to all calls you get – return phone calls promptly.

Print this list and then cross off items as you complete them. Doing this will help ensure you have a car sale that goes smoothly and one that gets you the most money for your vehicle.

Some Video Help and Advice

Here’s a good video on how to sell your car privately yourself:

If we missed anything, please mention it below… and again, please share this article.

Selling a vehicle privately instead of at a used car lot has its benefits. You are likely to get more money by selling your vehicle privately rather than trading it to a car dealer. However, there are several important factors to be considered before putting your car up for sale. With the right set of knowledge, you will be able to easily set a fair price for the car and avoid scammers who tend to prey on used-car sellers.

In order to avoid any hassles, you should know these 12 things about selling your car yourself.

1. Value

Before you put the vehicle up for sale, you have to establish its true value. This is the only way you are going to set the fairest asking price. There are online sources that can assist you to quickly find out the car’s value based on its model, make, and condition. Here are some good online sources:

• Kelly Blue Book
• Edmunds
• NADA Guides

It is also important to note that vehicle prices can vary by city and state. You can also look at websites of used-car dealers in your area to see how much your vehicle would go for. If you overprice the vehicle, you will be greatly disadvantaged because you won’t attract any buyers.

2. Fix and Clean the Car

When it comes to sales, the first impression can either make or break you. The car has to be in good physical condition to attract more buyers. Even if the vehicle is in good mechanical shape, prospective buyers can be turned off if it has a dirty interior or muddy body. Detail the car and make sure any mechanical issues have been repaired.

3. Paperwork

Make sure you have gathered all the necessary paperwork you will need before you begin the sale. These usually include warranty information (if there is still any coverage) and the title (if your car loan is completely paid off). Having this paperwork beforehand will make finalizing the sales much quicker and efficient.

Make sure your car’s title is clear – which means it’s not showing a lien holder. Sometimes what happens is, your bank will give you something stating that the car is paid for but you still have to pass that on to your state’s Motor Vehicle Department so that it can show it as paid off on the car’s title.

4. Collect Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Records

Collect all the maintenance records – this is everything from oil changes to tires, to brakes to whatever. These records will help potential buyers feel at ease because they know the vehicle was well cared for. You can also buy a vehicle history report then print out recent price estimations. Maintenance records can also be used to answer a potential buyer’s questions and concerns about the car’s condition.

5. Look out for Scammers

There are several private car sale related scams. One solid way of avoiding scams is to request picture identification from any potential buyers. If a buyer refuses to provide ID, then there is a high chance you are dealing with a scammer it someone will ill intent.

If you advertise your car on Craig’s List, then be especially careful of who contacts you. You might get people saying they need the car and will buy it without seeing it. If it sounds too good to be true, then it usually is. Be smart.

6. Advertising is Important

Slapping a “for sale” sticker at the rear window simply does not cut it. You have to increase your chances of selling your vehicle by making sure you have fully utilized car-buying websites and free online classifieds.

Look for free advertising options and exhaust them before you start paying for any ads. Also use social media to spread the word about your vehicle. When creating an online ad, make sure you include a lot photos of the vehicle’s exterior and interior.

7. Be Willing to Compromise

More often than not, buyers tend to offer a few hundred dollars less than the initial asking price. You can pad the asking price a bit, while remaining fair and competitive. You have to be willing to knock off a couple hundred dollars.

8. Deal with the DMV

Every state DMV has their own set of requirements; however, a general requirement is that you have to provide a clear title and that the car must be loan free. You have to document the sale to the DMV. There are some states that require a smog test for vehicles past a certain year. The odometer reading has to be verified before a sale.

Check to make sure everything is in order with the laws in your area if you want a successful car sale without problems.

9. Time Frame

Believe it or not, some times of the year are much better for selling vehicles than others. For example, most people are not interested in purchasing a car around or during the holidays because their focus is on other expenses such as holiday parties and gifts. A good time to put your car up for sale would be tax refund season. This is a time when people have extra cash to spend on huge purchases like vehicles.

10. Avoid Sharing Personal Information

There are some people who target private car sellers in order to attain their personal info and use it to commit identity theft or property damage or theft. Avoid this risk by clearing all personal info from the car such as registration and insurance information that can be linked back to you. Also meet potential buyers away from your residence.

11. Limit Test Drives

Never allow more than one test driver in the car at any given time. Every potential buyer must provide a valid driver’s license and ID before going for a test drive. Lastly, never allow a potential buyer to drive the vehicle alone.

12. Verify the Payment in Full

Don’t surrender possession of the car till the car payment has fully been made and verified. If possible, do not accept any personal checks. Let every potential buyer know that the preferred mode of payment is cash, cashier’s check or money order.

Conclusion

If you’ve never sold a used car by yourself, then do good research or maybe you have a friend that has done it and would be willing to help you. If something doesn’t feel right in your gut, then trust your gut and say no. You don’t want to learn something the hard way.

If you have any comments on the tips we have here, please leave them below. Don’t forget to share this article with your friends!