Guide to Selling Your Car
Understanding how your car is valued can be tricky when you are not in the trade. Often, it is hard to see why two similar cars can have such different values. Here at Sell My Car Direct, we believe in transparency so all of our customers can be safe in the knowledge that the price offered by our buyers is the best to be found. Unlike other car buying services, we put you first to ensure that you come back again and again.
Who can I sell my car to?
Knowing where to sell your car can be difficult. You could sell to a local dealer, but they will want you to upgrade to a new car to secure the best price which isn’t always applicable. Another option is selling to a private buyer, which may result in a better price in some cases but the costs and timescales of having to advertise as well as show endless tyre-kickers around can take its toll on you. Both of these options have made professional car buying services a popular choice as you get a fair price and the money quickly when looking to sell your car.
What impacts the price I get?
There are a lot of mitigating circumstances as to why cars are worth a certain amount and here are some reasons why:
- Make and model – Each manufacturer’s models depreciate at different rates which is based on desirability and legacy. More expensive vehicles will often lose value quicker, while large-selling models, like VW and Ford, less so as they are in more demand. Timing is also vital as 4x4s will be worth more in winter and convertibles in summer, due to the nature of the vehicle and seasonal demand
- Condition – Age, mileage and bodywork are hugely important when calculating the value of a car. Two identical cars, the same age, can often range massively in price if one has been used frequently on long journeys and the other only used on short trips every now and again. If one car’s bodywork has scratches and scrapes and the other is in mint condition, then this will also cause discrepancies in price, as these will potentially have be rectified by the new owner
- Colour – It may seem remarkable, but something as simple as the colour of your car can drastically impact its value. The most popular colours of cars are black, grey and white, and while more outrageous colours may get heads turning on the road, but turn buyers off on resale
- Spec – The optional extras when bought from a showroom make a big difference to a vehicle’s value when resold. Whether your car comes with a reversing camera, leather seats or contrast-stitching, it all matters. That’s why it is important to specify these extras when selling a car
When you’ve decided to sell…
Preparation is everything when selling your car. If you’ve decided it is time to sell then start by doing your research and looking to see how much your car is potentially worth in the current market. Now it’s time to make sure all of your car’s paperwork is in order i.e. all of its service and repair history, as well as ownership documents. This could include resolving all finance owed, if selling privately. Next, if your car is a non-runner or needs work completed to work and be able to test drive efficiently, then getting work done to it may be advisable, but only if the work is within budget and drastically impacts the car’s value. Once complete, give your car a good once over, checking for any damage and clean in thoroughly inside and out to make it as presentable as possible.
Put yourself in the driving seat of your car sale by choosing Sell My Car Direct, simply enter your registration to get started now.