Think Like a Buyer to Sell Your Used Car Fast

Take the Car for a Test Drive
Pretend you haven’t driven your used car for the last 100,000; this is your first time behind the wheel. Think like a potential buyer. What do you notice?

Inspect Your Car as a Potential Buyer
Your used car is likely to have a problem or two. It is better that you find it before the buyer does. If the buyer finds the problem first, any used car prices you were counting on may fade fast. Sellers should appear confident and knowledgeable about the used car. If not, two things are likely to happen – the buyer may assume you are dishonest and you will lose the sale or the buyer will assume you can be taken advantage of because you sound clueless. In either case the price you get is less likely to match any used car estimate you’ve researched.

Sell Your Used Car

Advertising on the Internet is Probably the Best Way to Go

• Newspaper advertising doesn’t offer the bang it used to. Increase your chances of reaching your target audience by advertising on specialized sites such as autotrader.com or cars.com.
• As a back up, why not spread the word through friends, family and co-workers? Be prepared to talk about the used car market value and reliable figures such as those from the NADA used car price guide. Being prepared and confident can help you sell your used car more quickly.

Used Car Pricing should be Reasonable and Competitive.

• Selling your used car should be a win-win for the buyer as well as the seller. You both bypass the middle man (the used car dealer), but you will both need to do a little extra leg work. Make the work worth your while by setting used car prices appropriately.

Don’t Despair if You Don’t Have Advertising Dollars
Just put a For Sale sign in the window and frequent high traffic areas.

Maximizing Used Car Trade in Values

Trading Does Offer Benefits
If your time is money, trading may be the right way to go. What you lose in used car blue book values you just may gain in time.

Selling Requires a Commitment of Time to Maximize Used Car Market Value
Sure, you’ll probably get higher used car prices when you sell, but when? And how long will it take? Sellers should be prepared to advertise – costs vary but you can likely place an ad for approximately $40. You may also have to invest in repairs to make your used car market ready.

Get Your Car Ready to Place in the High Range of Blue Book Used Car Prices.

• How?
  • Fix problems that can be reasonably repaired. That may mean having the upholstery cleaned, the body buffed or painted, etc.
  • Do not hide problems that cannot be repaired.
  • Gather service records.

You Don’t Have to Sell to an Individual

• Research used car prices and determine what your car is worth. If you want to avoid the hassle of ads and showing, but you still want to boost your profit margin, try selling to a used car dealer.

Purchasing Your Used Car from an Individual

Thoroughly Inspect the Car You are Considering

• Some things you should do:
  • Inspect the engine, look for signs that the car has been exposed to water damage; is the spare inflated, have all the tires worn about the same? If the car has not been well cared for, you may only be willing to pay on the lower range of blue book car prices or you may decide the car is not worth purchasing.

Arrive Early
MSN-Auto advises used car buyers to arrive 15 to 20 minutes early. They may find the owner camouflaging problems that normally reduce used car prices.

Look at and Test Drive More Than One Car

• Used car prices, even for the same make and model, can vary with condition, upgrades, etc. Take a look at several cars before you make your final decision.

Don’t Be Afraid to Negotiate

• Used car price estimates are just that. Use your research, comparisons and inspection of the car to negotiate for the most fair used car pricing.