Understanding Automotive Problems

It may seem easy to sell your old car online – simply list it on Craigslist or a similar service, and then wait for the buyers to roll in. Actually, it takes a bit more effort than this, especially if you want to get the best price possible. The following tips can help you get a better deal on your car.

Tip #1: Get Good Pictures

A picture is what sells your car and makes people want to see it in person. Clean your car thoroughly inside and out – you should even consider getting it detailed so it has that new car appearance. Then, take clear pictures from multiple angles. You want the front, back, both sides, and some interior shots. If the online marketplace limits you to one photo, take a three-quarter angle shot that captures the front and one full side. It's best to take pictures on a cloudy day or in the morning, when you have nice even lighting without glares.

Tip #2: Do Your Research

Settling on a price isn't as simple as looking up the value of the car in a database. You need to know what the car is worth in your area. For example, trucks and pickups may sell for more in a rural area than they would in a congested urban center. The simplest way to find the value of your car is to compare the database values that you find to what cars like yours are actually selling for in your city. Start by checking used dealer ads for cars similar to yours in age, model, mileage, and condition. Next, search through the private sales listings for the same information. Finally, price your car slightly below the dealer pricing but above the private sales pricing. This gives you room to negotiate without dropping your price too low.

Tip #3: Write a Compelling Ad

The ad starts with the headline – make sure it contains all the keywords so that people searching for a car like yours can find it. Include year, make, model, mileage, and key features. For example, the headline may read "2003 Toyota RAV4, Manual, Gun metal sports edition, moon/sun roof, 90,000 miles." This may seem long, but it hits on what potential buyers want to know so that the right buyer is more likely to find and click on your ad. Inside the ad, stick to active descriptions that complement all those photos you took. Tell the truth, but don't dwell on any negatives.

These tips will help you develop an ad that sells, but you will still have the work of meeting with potential buyers, vetting their funding sources, and transferring the paperwork. If all of this seems like too much work, consider finding a service such as U Pick U Save that buys used cars for a fair price.