For example, you wouldn’t advertise your 2008 Audi A4 as simply that, but as a 2008 Audi A4 Quattro Premium Plus 2. 0 liter Turbo with navigation system, S Sport package, and alloy wheels. Being specific will not only help you sell the car but can also help you price it appropriately. Be sure to update your car’s mileage if you continue to drive it while it is on the market.
You may also want to get an inspection of your vehicle at a local service center. They can tell you any issues with the car and give you an experienced opinion on its condition. [4] X Research source
If you visited the same auto service center for service over the years, see if they can print out a record of your visits. [8] X Research source Alternately, you can use a service like CarFax or AutoCheck to get your car’s vehicle history report. This requires your VIN number and also a fee of about $30 or $40. [9] X Research source
You can price your car higher if it is in exceptional shape for its age, has been cared for very well, or has had major parts replaced recently. Price your car lower if it has significant accident damage or is in need of repair. [10] X Research source
Washing and waxing the exterior. Washing wheels and tires and treating them with specialized tire and wheel shine. Washing any cloth seats or floor mats. Vacuuming every part of the interior. Cleaning out the ashtrays. Washing all the windows. Applying leather cleaner to leather seats and steering wheel. [11] X Research source
You can also get the light lenses polished to like-new condition for about $50. This is cheaper than replacing them.
The vehicle’s title. Maintenance records. A Bill of Sale. A Release of Liability. Warranty documents (if your vehicle is still under warranty). As-is documentation. [15] X Research source
The exterior front, back, and sides. The interior front and back seats, trunk, dashboards, and floor mats. Wheels and tires. Under the hood. [17] X Research source
Put tabs at the bottom of the ad with your phone number so people can rip them off and contact you. Include why you are selling the car. State whether or not the price is final, negotiable, or open to offers. [20] X Research source
Car-specific sites like Autotrader, eBay Motors, and Cars. com will help you reach a much larger audience than Facebook or Craigslist. These should be your first choice for selling rarer or higher-value cars. Alternately, Craigslist and Facebook will allow you keep your audience mostly in your area, allowing for easier meet ups with potential buyers. They’re also usually better sites for posting lower value or heavily used cars. You can look for local Facebook “yard sale” groups and post your ad there. [22] X Research source Post the ad on your own website if you have one.
Start with a higher price than what you would realistically be willing to take for the car (maybe 20 to 30 percent more) and negotiate down from there if needed. Read how to negotiate if you’re unfamiliar with negotiation tactics.
You may want to check your insurance coverage before allowing test drives. Most policies cover accidents when another driver is driving your vehicle, but some do not. [25] X Research source
When arranging a meeting, make sure you meet in a public place within view of security cameras, if possible. If you decide to accept a personal check, meet the buyer outside of their bank and don’t hand over the keys until you’ve gone inside and confirmed that they have the funds to pay for the car. It’s safest and easiest to simply accept cash for the vehicle.
