9 Biggest Mistakes when Selling an Old Car

Any car that we buy has to be sold when the time comes. But, whether you are trading it or selling it privately the errors in selling can cost you really high. So, to save you from making these mistakes, we have come up with some biggest mistakes that are made by the car owner during selling old car. These are as follows:

• You do not know your car’s market value

Whether you want to sell your car privately or you want to trade your old car, you should have a fair idea of the market value of your car. Not knowing the value can lead you into a mess, which means agreeing for much less than your car is worth.

Thankfully, OLX Cash My Car can help you and can get you a fair price for your used car.

• Increasing your car’s value by undertaking Mechanical Repairs

The significant repairs before selling your car should not be undertaken. Surely, a vehicle with a crisply modified transmission will get more cash as an exchange than a similar vehicle with evident transmission issues, but in most of the cases, it will not bring in enough extra money to cover the cost of the repairs.

If there’s a need for repairs then you can get an estimate for those repairs. This will be helpful in negotiations if a potential buyer refers to the issue as a purpose behind making an irrationally low offer. 

• Avoidance of cleanup

Cleaning of the car is a necessary step that should be attempted before selling car privately. The condition of the car does make a difference. From washing and waxing the exteriors of the car to vacuuming and shampooing the interiors, everything plays an important role. In the end, tire dressing should also be done. Many potential buyers question the maintenance as soon as they see a dirty car.

• Not Reading the Contract

It is of utmost importance that being the seller, you should read and understand the sales contract entirely. If there is something that you cannot understand in the contract, feel free to ask for a copy and get it read by someone whom you trust. Do not depend on the dealership employee’s explanation wholly.

Also, perceive that the sales rep's mark may not tie the vendor to that superb deal you have quite recently negotiated. In various dealerships, the deal binds after a manager signs the contract. Please clarify these details. In the end, possibly take a copy of the signed contract with you.

• Accepting a Last-Minute Trade-In Devaluation

Mostly, we use our old cars until we get our new cars delivered. But during this time, if any damage happens to your old car then it is reasonable for the dealer to lower the prices.

Unfortunately, some dealers arbitrarily lower the price, just as soon as you get the delivery of the new car. If nothing has happened to your old car and still the dealer is reducing the price then you should be willing to walk away from that deal. Make sure the contract has no penalties on walking away.

• Not Taking Advantage of All Free Advertising Options

There are so many ways these days to sell an old car. Parking your car in a location where it is visible to maximum people and putting a signboard “for sale” on it is one way. Putting clear images of it on social media is another. But listing on websites these days is very easy and hassle-free. That can also be used for free. Letting your family and friends know your car is available for sale is also a very good idea. The more people who know about the car, the better it is.

• Using Unclear Pictures

Lately, smartphones have become universal and can take the best pictures. So, there can possibly be no reason for using unclear pictures of your old car you want to sell in your advertising and posts.

Use of multiple pictures with all the angles interior as well as all exterior angles will help in giving a better insight into your car to the buyer. You can also get it photographed by a professional photographer as they know the perfect ways to click the photographs.

• Writing an Incomplete or Inaccurate description

“For sale: xyz car. Call if interested.” With this kind of a description, nobody would be interested. Describe your car in better ways. Tell people about your car, its model, color,equipment, its model year, etc. Be accurate about the description. If you are unsure about any detail, do not include it.

• Forgetting to Follow Up on the Paperwork

As soon as you sell used car, the registration and insurance should be canceled. This will safeguard you from the criminal acts of the buyer(if involved), you will not be held responsible.