How to Advertise and Sell Your Car - Top Tips

When the time comes to part with a set of wheels, it's important to organise an efficient sale which means you get value while letting it go for a price which will attract customers and get them a reasonable deal in the process. People often assume an outlay will be involved, but there are ways to attract interest in your vehicle for free. A few simple hints and tips can also make your car stand out, catching the eye of any potential purchasers.

Do your homework

To start with, have a look around at classified car adverts from a range of sources, paying particular attention to vehicles which are of the same make and age as your own. The web can provide an excellent resource for car related issues - from finding car insurance cover to comparing vehicle prices - it can give you a huge database of information at your fingertips. Using a range of different media, you should be able to get a good idea of the going market rate for what you own. Mileage is also crucial, as a car which is three or four years old could be more expensive than one which is only a couple of years old if it has a very low mileage. Look in the local press and pay particular attention to the car classifieds, and try the newspaper's online listings as well. There also a wide range of listings magazines and online locations like Auto Trader to compare prices.

Think about taking a trip to one or two of your local supermarkets. Many of them run public notice boards which allow you to put up a sale notice for nothing. You can normally write your advert on a card which will be on the board for all to see for a set period of time, all you have to do is write your note and include your contact details. This could be an effective and simple way of reaching a large number of potential buyers for free.

If this fails to deliver results, remember your car itself can be turned into a walking advert. Write or print your own 'for sale' sign giving the car's details, asking price and your contact number and stick it in the rear or rear side windows, remembering not to put them somewhere where they will obscure your view if you're driving it. A sign in a car window sticks out in public car parks, and anyone who is in the market for a new vehicle is likely to at least take a quick look. Think about where you live as well, if you live on a main road which has a lot of passing motorists and pedestrians, park your car in a safe spot, again with a visible sign on it. Hey presto, you have another advert for free with a large potential audience.

Clean and tidy

Your car's appearance is also important. If it's constantly dirty and messy, it's unlikely to look too appealing to any potential buyers. Give it a good all round clean inside and out. Hoover the upholstery and consider getting it waxed too for an extra high-visibility finish. An old car can look like new with a few simple cleaning touches. Try and keep this level of appearance up while it is advertised so you are prepared for any potential buyer to view it at short notice.

If you choose to advertise in the local press or online, price your car sensibly - too high and it will attract no interest whatsoever, too low and some people may even be suspicious, assuming it has something wrong with it. Ensure you have all the right documentation in place like the logbook, and as full a service history as you can manage, with all the invoices and receipts for any work you have had done on it, plus the last MOT certificate. Incomplete paperwork can make buyers wary and question why there are things missing.

Russell Marlow is a London based freelance writer who writes about financial products including car insurance.

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