Considering the valuations car dealerships offer for trade-in vehicles, it’s no wonder why so many people sell their old hoopties privately. You could potentially rake in much more for your car. But if you want to sell your ride independently, here are 16 mistakes to avoid.
Posting Too Little Information
Some private sellers do the right thing by posting their for-sale ads online but then make the mistake of including too little information. Buyers want as much information as possible. They need lots of detailed pictures that accurately represent the vehicle’s condition. They also want to know about the mileage, accidents, title status, and other pertinent details.
Failing to Allow Test Drives
Not allowing test drives is a lose-lose proposition. On the one hand, prospective buyers lose because they can’t put a car through its paces by simply opening the hood, getting on all fours to assess the undercarriage, or checking out the interior. On the other hand, you will find it more difficult to sell your used vehicle if test drives are not allowed. Test drives matter.
Leaving Too Much Money on the Table
Another mistake to avoid is leaving too much money on the table. Check out online sources like Kelley Blue Book to find the price range for your automobile’s make and model. That way, you can assess its condition and post a realistic asking price.
Failing to Make Simple Fixes Before Selling
Yet another mistake that can cost you money is selling your car before making simple repairs. Whether servicing the brakes, changing the engine oil and filter, or rotating the tires, you can do some simple things that make it easier for someone to make a good offer for your car.
Listing It Before Detailing It
Have you ever looked on Facebook Marketplace and seen used cars for sale that look filthy outside and inside? Don’t be that type of seller. Whether you get it done professionally or roll up your sleeves and do it independently, give the interior and exterior of your ride a good once-over. You’ll get more interest, justify a higher asking price, and possibly sell it faster.
Ghosting People
You might know what it’s like to contact someone on Facebook Marketplace, ask them about a product for sale, get a vague reply, and then get ghosted after asking follow-up questions. That’s no way to go about selling your vehicle. If you provide enough information in your ad, you’re less likely to get tons of instant messages from people who want more information. But if you’re serious about selling your vehicle, don’t ghost people who express genuine interest.
Bargaining in Bad Faith
Remember that bargaining effectively doesn’t mean acting like a human battering ram. You’re in the driver’s seat once you know what your car is worth.
Depending on how motivated you are to sell and how badly you need the money, you can hold your ground or be flexible. Just remember that bargaining is a two-way street.
Misrepresenting Your Vehicle
Another no-no is misrepresenting the vehicle you’re selling. Some people post inaccurate information — purposefully or carelessly — about their car. Provide accurate information about the model year, trim level, wear and tear, and other things of importance. People want to make informed decisions — and that’s only possible if they have accurate details.
Failing to Offer a Carfax
When selling a used car, get a Carfax report. A Carfax report is a goldmine of useful information for the seller and the buyer. It details a car’s accident history, title status, odometer reading at certain intervals, and other information a would-be buyer wants.
If you refuse to buy one and share it with any prospective buyer, that’s not a good look. It suggests you have something to hide. So, offering one is like extending goodwill.
Covering Up Defects
Bondo can cover up many imperfections — especially to the untrained eye. It’s one thing if you let consumers know about flaws and defects. But it’s another thing if you try to cover up things that might otherwise cause people to backtrack.
Refusing to Let a Would-Be Buyer Take the Car to a Mechanic
No one should buy a car privately without having a mechanic check it out. If someone is interested in your used vehicle but wants their mechanic to check it out first, you shouldn’t get in the way of such an inspection. It’s well within your right to insist that the mechanic be within a reasonable distance from your home. But outright refusing to allow someone to take the car for an inspection will jeopardize the process and make it seem like you have something to hide.
Asking for Way Too Much
One reason to research how much your car is worth is that you won’t ask for a ridiculous amount. No one will take you seriously if they believe your asking price is out of touch with reality. It’s okay to ask for a bit more than is ideal since that’ll give you room to negotiate. But don’t ask for an amount that discourages would-be buyers who might otherwise be interested.
Pulling a Bait-and-Switch Ploy
Don’t be the kind of private seller who showcases a car with flashy rims and premium tires in the photos but plans to sell it with the original, basic ones. If you advertise a vehicle and don’t plan to include upgraded components, let consumers know upfront.
Selling a Car Without Clearing Up the Liens First
You can’t technically transfer ownership of a car if it has liens. So, if you have a car loan for a used vehicle and still owe money, you need to pay off the loan before you can legally sell the car. Some unscrupulous people will sell a vehicle with liens and not bother to tell the buyer.
Investing Too Much in Repairs
Paying for expensive repairs before selling a used car isn’t always the best move. Some people believe they’ll recoup their investment after selling the vehicle. But that’s not always the case.
Selling to a Family Member or Neighbor
Don’t sell a used vehicle to a loved one, neighbor, or co-worker. You don’t need the hassles that will come if something goes wrong with the car. It can strain the relationship.
Avoid These Mistakes
You can make more if you sell a car privately rather than trade it in at a car dealership. As long as you’re willing to put in the work, you don’t have to accept a low-ball offer from a used car salesperson. But avoid these 16 mistakes if you want to be successful in your quest.
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