Selling a car can often be a bit of a headache, and it can be tempting to go for the quickest and easiest route rather than trying to get the best price possible. There are many websites and car dealers that offer to buy any car almost immediately, but these will often give a low price when compared to other methods of selling.

If you want to get as much money as possible from your car sale, it is vital to put the time and effort into making the car look great and be as saleable as possible. Any mum knows that maximising profits on selling big items like cars is crucial to help your family finances go further.

Get any minor damage sorted

Minor chips, scratches and dents don’t impact the safety of your car, but they can impact the price it will be able to fetch. Like when selling a home, your vehicle will need kerb appeal, meaning that it should be spotless and look well cared for. Most small damage can be easily repainted, buffed or popped out and can easily be done yourself.

Take your time

Giving yourself plenty of time to sell the car is vital to help you get the best possible price. As mentioned above, there are websites and dealers that offer quick sales for anyone looking to get rid of their car in a hurry, but these will rarely offer the best price for your vehicle. Instead, take the time to get the car looking and running great and find sellers from various sources.

Sell your Personalised number plate

If you have a personalised number plate, it is best to sell this separately to your vehicle. Most buyers won’t want a private number plate of your name or initials. In addition, private number plates can have their own value, particularly for sought-after names or letters. Take a look at Regtransfers to see what kind of price you could get for your private number plate.

Advertise it accurately

It is vital that you advertise your car accurately so that customers know what to expect when they arrive. An inaccurate advert can disappoint customers on their arrival and even if the vehicle is what they might be looking for, you may still miss out on the sale.

Have it cleaned, waxed and detailed

Your car should be spotlessly clean when your first possible buyers come to view it. In addition to being cleaned, it is a good idea to have it waxed and detailed to show the vehicle in the best possible light. Many car washes offer a comprehensive package, including detailing and waxing, or you could save money and try your hand at doing so at home.

List it on a Classified site

Selling via classified ads is likely to result in a much better price than selling to an auto trader or auto website. People searching through classified ads are more likely to be looking for a car for personal use and willing to pay the actual value rather than trying to haggle you down as cheap as possible.