Is it time to upgrade your vehicle? It makes sense to sell your old one for as much money as possible. You may be of the opinion that selling your car is a hassle so any return you can get on this investment will be “good enough.”

We’re here to let you know that with just a little effort and attention you can maximize what you receive in exchange.

Read on for our advice on how to prepare your car and sell it.

1. Clean it up.

It may seem obvious, but you can significantly increase your car’s desirability with a simple clean. The goal is to present your vehicle at its very best. It may not be brand new, but it can still look attractive! This is also your opportunity to remove any personal possessions from your car. It should be a blank slate for its new owner.

2. Take good photos.

Good photos aren’t ones that strategically hide any issues with your car. Those are dishonest photos! By all means, take pictures from flattering angles that show your car in its best light. However, you should also be upfront about any dents, scratches, or other imperfections. Otherwise, you risk wasting both your and any potential buyer’s time.

3. Get your paperwork organized.

If you want to sell your car, you’ll need to have your service records intact. Make sure you have documentation like your vehicle registration and title, as any potential buyer will definitely need that information. Check details like the service warranty too. If it’s still valid, this could be transferred to the buyer. That’s a selling point! 

4. Get your car appraised and decide where to sell it.

Next, you should take your car to a dealership to be appraised. There’s nothing wrong with asking for a few quotes! Then, you’ll have a clear idea of what you can realistically charge for it.

Instead of selling privately, you may even decide to sell directly to a dealership. There are significant advantages involved in doing so:

• The process is much faster and easier.
  When you sell your car to a dealership, you might be able to walk out of your first meeting with a final offer in your hand!
  
  

• You don’t have to advertise or meet with buyers.
  If the prospect of writing an advert, paying to promote it, then interacting with the general public puts you off, this is one way to avoid all that!
  
  

• They take care of the legal part.
  When you sell privately, it’s your responsibility to ensure the transfer is handled correctly. Selling to a dealership relieves you of that pressure.