What to do Before Selling Your Car: 9 Steps & Tips to Follow Before Selling Your Car
Looking to sell your car but don’t know where to start? You’re not alone. Selling your wheels isn’t easy. From setting a price and finding a buyer to all the admin involved in selling a car and letting go of your baby (which can be pretty tough), knowing what to do before selling your car is important.
Selling your car requires that you take care of some critical elements before even putting it on the market. This will help you to get a fair price for it while also making sure the transaction goes off without any issues or the buyer coming back later to complain.
This post will help you to figure out what you need to do before selling your car. We’ll look at some of the important steps and details that many people forget or ignore and explain why they matter.
Looking to sell your car but don’t know where to start? You’re not alone. Selling your wheels isn’t easy. From setting a price and finding a buyer to all the admin involved in selling a car and letting go of your baby (which can be pretty tough), knowing what to do before selling your car is important.
Selling your car requires that you take care of some critical elements before even putting it on the market. This will help you to get a fair price for it while also making sure the transaction goes off without any issues or the buyer coming back later to complain.
This post will help you to figure out what you need to do before selling your car. We’ll look at some of the important steps and details that many people forget or ignore and explain why they matter.
Reasons to sell your car & why doing it now is a good idea
Nobody wants to let go of their wheels, but sometimes it’s just the right thing to do. There are many reasons for selling your car, and waiting for the right moment that may never come isn’t going to work. Cars are changing, and even the law is making it harder for older vehicles to comply with new road and emission rules.
Cars get old and start giving you problems, costing you more. Families grow, and people need more space or a newer, safer vehicle. Downsizing to a smaller, more fuel-efficient ride is also a common reason for selling. Technology improvements in new cars, eco-friendly designs, and better safety features are strong reasons to sell. You may have come across an amazing deal for a new car and need some capital to buy it. Perhaps the fire truck-red VW Beetle you’ve had since high school just isn’t right for where you are in life. But sometimes, it’s just the right time to do it.
Whatever the reason for wanting to sell your car, there’s never been a better time to do it. Prices are competitive, the used car market in South Africa is thriving, and we have endless ways to sell. From second-hand car dealerships to online marketplaces and even social media, potential buyers are everywhere. You just need to know what to do before selling to them.
9 Steps to follow before selling your car
From deciding to sell in the first place to finding a trustworthy buyer who’ll pay for your car, understanding what needs to be done before selling will help you to ensure a smooth transaction. Plus, you’ll have access to important funds you can use as a deposit for your new car.
Here are some of the most important steps to follow before selling your car.
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Commit to selling
Before even thinking about how much you’ll get for selling your car, make sure you’re committed to the cause. If you have any doubts or aren’t sure you actually want to sell, reconsider. Aside from the emotional attachment you have to your car, hesitating to commit to selling can be risky.
Buyers can sense hesitation and will take advantage of your uncertainty. Not committing fully to selling can also leave you feeling like you didn’t get paid enough for your car or that you shouldn’t have done it to begin with.
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Tip: Make a list of the pros and cons of selling your car right now. Consider the financial impact of selling (and replacing your car) and write down the advantages of doing so. List the challenges you’ll face and the potential cons of letting go of your ride. This list will help you to make up your mind and get you to commit 100%.
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Do a little DIY work on your car
Like fixing up the small things in a house before putting it on the market, it’s a good idea to touch up the small stuff before selling a car. Inspect your vehicle and look for the things that don’t necessarily require a mechanic to fix. Then, roll your sleeves up and get to work.
Clean your car or take it for a full valet. Besides leaving your ride looking and smelling like new, once clean, it’ll be easier to spot small issues a potential buyer may point out. Quick fixes like repositioning seatbelt buckles, replacing clips, greasing the seat rails, tightening any loose fittings or checking that all lights are working are the best places to start.
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Tip: Add the cost of fixing up the little things on your car to the price you’ll put it on the market for. Quick fixes shouldn’t cost too much, but when you’re in the business of selling your car, every cent counts. Check out this article on refurbishing your car before selling it.
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Get a full vehicle service
Most potential buyers will ask for your car’s service history. This record of services will tell them if you’ve kept your car in good condition and that all the necessary components have been checked and replaced.
But even if you’ve skipped servicing your car for years, you should still take it to a local service centre before selling your car. This proves to the buyer that the car is OK to drive and limits their negotiating leverage. If you happen to have a service plan, speak to your vehicle service centre to check when it expires. If there is still some time or mileage left, you can add this to the vehicle sale price.
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Tip: Keep an eye out for different service centre specials and promotions. While vehicle services can be expensive, some providers offer great deals and have multiple local service centres around the country. Or visit a local Auto Pedigree Service Centre here.
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Get your car valued & set your price range
Before thinking about how much you want to get for your car, get it valued. A valuation will give an accurate estimation of what you should be getting for your car. Valuators look at things like mileage, service history, vehicle condition, and demand. They will then provide you with a price range you can use to inform how much you’ll ask for your car.
Once you have an idea of a realistic price, set a range for what you’ll accept and what you won’t. Choose an upper-end price (where you’ll accept any amount above it) and a lower-end price (your cutoff point for the lowest price you’ll be able to accept). Keep these numbers to yourself, and don’t compromise on them.
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Tip: Many dealerships in SA offer free vehicle valuations when considering a trade-in option with them. They will usually make below market value offers but are great if you want to sell quickly. You can add 10% to 20% to their valuation for a more accurate figure.
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Know the law & how to register your car correctly
Selling a car in South Africa comes with some legal rules and regulations you’ll need to stick to. Failing to do so can leave you exposed and at risk. Some sellers have sold their cars only to continue receiving fines acquired by the new owner. Others have had police arrive to ask about crimes committed using a sold car still registered in their name!
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Tip: Get your registration information and documents together before putting your car on the market. Some of these documents can take a while to secure, and you won’t want to lose a buyer by making them wait.
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Find a reliable marketplace or choose a dealer to sell your car
Selling your car comes with two basic options: Sell privately or find a dealer to sell it for you. Some dealers, however, will take your car and only pay over the cash if or when they sell it. While this is a good option if you have a new car already, selling can take time.
Thankfully, there are many new, emerging marketplaces and platforms you can go to sell your car. A quick online search will give you many options to list your vehicle privately. You can also list your car on more than one platform or rope in the help of someone to do it for you.
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Tip: Only use verified platforms or dealers, and watch out for scams. Do your research and avoid social media platforms to sell, or untrustworthy, unregistered “middlemen” promising to get a good price for your car.
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Vet your prospects (and be safe)
Once people start contacting you and showing interest in your vehicle, you’re into the final stretch before selling your car. Unfortunately, you are likely to hear from many people who aren’t serious potential buyers. Ignore them and move on to the people who are genuinely interested.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions about whether or not they can pay for your car, and only allow them to see the vehicle once you are sure that they are safe, legitimate options. If anyone asks to test drive your car, insist on accompanying them and check with your insurance company if you’re covered for third-party accidents.
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Tip: Develop a vetting process that includes checking the person’s details, requesting documentation to prove they are legitimate and don’t compromise on anything.
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Sharpen your negotiating skills
Many people believe that negotiating over a purchase is part of the process of selling a car. It isn’t necessarily. However, allow yourself some wiggle room regarding price to accommodate anyone who wants to haggle for your car.
Prepare yourself to answer any questions potential buyers may have about your car. Have all documentation and records printed and ready, and polish your negotiation skills. You can even read up about selling tactics that will give you an advantage during negotiations.
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Tip: Set your price slightly higher than what you hope to get for your car, and don’t settle for anything less than your minimum acceptable price. There are always other buyers out there.
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Line up your next car before selling your current one
When the time finally comes to close the deal and sell your car, make sure you have a plan for its replacement. Many people sell their cars only to realise that buying a new one is going to take a little longer than they thought.
Don’t get stranded. Start the process of finding a new car before completing the sale of the existing one. Since you’ll likely need the money from the sale to go towards buying a new car, you’ll probably be without a ride for a while. While you wait, make alternative transport plans.
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Tip: Browse the inventories of quality used car sites to find a new car that suits your needs. You can even kick things off by indicating your interest in a particular car beforehand, limiting how long you’ll be without wheels.
Selling your car in 2023
Selling your car is tough, but if you can get it right, you’ll be smiling all the way to the bank after driving there in your new ride. Preparing well before selling your car will help to ensure that you’re ready for anything during the transaction.
Make sure that you’ve covered all of your bases and that you’re offering a fair price for your car. Selling your car can also take time, so don’t get discouraged if it takes a while. Be safe, do your homework, and once you’ve found a legitimate buyer, go for it!
Conclusion - Finding your next car
Once you’ve closed the deal and managed to sell your car, what next? It’s time to find its replacement. Whether you’re looking for something completely different to your old vehicle or are interested in a newer model, sites like Auto Pedigree offer a wide inventory of high-quality used cars that have been checked and serviced and are ready to give you the same love as the last one did.
Good luck, and we’ll see you soon!
References & Resources
Link References:
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https://finance.yahoo.com/news/5-reasons-sell-car-save-160006801.html
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https://www.autopedigree.co.za/used-car-guide/car-safety-features-you-should-know/244
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https://www.autopedigree.co.za/promotion/vehicle-aircon-service/197
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https://www.autopedigree.co.za/promotion/service-special-from-r1499/198
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https://www.driveo.com/blog/qualify-prospective-buyers-selling-your-car/
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