15 Common Car Selling Mistakes You Should Avoid

Most car owners face the need to sell their cars and buy new vehicles sooner or later. Regardless of the reasons for the sale, no one wants to lose the money they have invested in the car. Whether you are changing your car to a new model at a dealership or selling a car to a private person, there are many mistakes that can unnecessarily increase your costs. Other mistakes can be physically dangerous to you personally. In this article, we have gathered 15 common car selling mistakes you should avoid.

1. You don't know the value of your car

Regardless of whether you want to exchange your old car or sell it privately, you must have an idea of ​​the value of the car on the market. If you don’t know this, you can lose a significant amount of money on the sale of a car. Fortunately, there are websites that can help you. You can also get an idea of ​​the wholesale value of your car by evaluating it from several wholesalers or private dealers who do individual sales.

2. You make repairs to increase the value of the car

Don’t make major repairs to your car before selling it. Of course, you will get more money for a car with a newly refurbished transmission than for a similar car with obvious transmission problems. But in most cases, you will not receive the amount you spent on the overhaul of the undercarriage. The same can be said for body repair.

If your car really needs to be repaired, you can visit an auto service and make a written estimate of the cost of the work. This can be helpful in negotiations if a potential buyer cites a problem as the cause of the overpriced machine. If you are selling a car to a private person, you can tell about car malfunctions in your ad. A lot of people want to buy cars with significant flaws since the prices for such cars are usually quite low.

3. You make concessions under buyer's pressure

Buyers who are trying to press on you while buying your car are likely to want to make a deal on terms that are not very beneficial to you. You are in control of the situation until you agree to the terms and similar behavior of the buyer. You can always say no and find another buyer for your car.

4. You don’t wash your car before selling

Clean up your car before selling it. The condition and appearance of a car really matter a lot. Wash, wax, vacuum in the cabin, and wash the windows. Tidy up your tires. Due to the unkempt appearance, buyers may ask many clarifying questions about the car and they may have doubts.

5. You lie about other offers

Lying about other dealers wanting to pay more for your car in order to boost the current supply is futile. It can even lead to negative consequences later when trying to sell a car. Some wholesalers see the owner's lie as a reason to use questionable tactics in return.

6. Agree to the first offer

While most dealerships tend to offer nearly the same price for your used car, there may be some offers that stand out either at too low a price or too high. Inspecting the bids will help establish a reasonable price for your vehicle and allow you to make an exceptionally good deal if you come across one.

7. You use bad photos in the ad

Most modern phones (which have become almost universal gadgets) can take good quality pictures. Therefore, there is no excuse to use bad photos in advertisements for the sale of your car. Place as many photos as possible, including all angles, multiple interior images, as well as photos that were taken under the hood and in the cargo area. Professional photographers find that a cloudy day or shaded area provides more lighting, especially for interior shots. Finally, don't forget about the nice background around your car.

8. You write an incomplete or inaccurate description

In the ad, you should tell people about the car, its year of manufacture, trim level, equipment, condition, and everything that sets it apart from other offerings. For example, low mileage, garage storage, or the availability of all maintenance records. Be accurate and truthful. If you are not sure about some information, check it or don’t write it at all.

9. You leave tools or liquids in the trunk

Empty the trunk of everything except the spare wheel and the factory-supplied toolbox before showing the vehicle. Oil bottles, coolant containers, and an extensive collection of tools indicate that the car needs constant repair or close attention.

10. You are not prepared to show the car

If you are showing a car near your home (which is not a good idea) be prepared ahead of time for a buyer. If the buyer arrives earlier and sees how you add oil or coolant, or just vacuum, he or she may wonder if you really care for your car.

11. You have lost maintenance records

Car service reports can be a powerful argument for a potential buyer. Try to make sure that the records are structured to show that you have completed any required technical work, which can be costly. For example, replacing the timing belt.

12. You meet with a buyer in an unsafe place

The bad news is that people have been attacked, wounded, and even killed by strangers claiming to be interested in buying a car. The good news is this rarely happens. But it is better to protect yourself. Schedule your first meeting in a public place and come with a friend or family member. One possible location is a busy shopping mall. Some communities allow sellers and buyers to meet in the police station parking lot. Don't let your desire to sell a car affect the understanding of your safety.

13. You don’t prepare for a test drive

Before allowing a stranger to test drive your vehicle, verify that person's identity by looking at their driver's license. The information about the person should match what was presented to you earlier in previous telephone correspondence or calls. For a test drive, insist on being accompanied by a potential buyer and as you indicate the meeting point, make sure you have a route ready. The route should demonstrate the capabilities of the car, but you shouldn’t appear on a deserted track. Be sure to insist on following the planned route.

14. You are not prepared for a car check by a mechanic at a service station

A potential buyer may want your car to be checked by a mechanic before purchasing. This is a smart move. However, make sure that this inspection is carried out by a licensed workshop at the buyer's expense. Plan to get the car to the service at the appointed time and be prepared to wait for the mechanic to complete the inspection. If you can, get a copy of the inspection document. You can show it to other potential buyers if that person doesn't want to take the car.

15. You can be deceived while receiving payment

This is every salesperson's worst nightmare. For example, the check you accepted as payment turns out to be a fake, and you only discovered it after a few days or weeks after the transaction, and the term for possible termination of the contract has already expired. Or the buyer's deposit account, which he indicated when making the payment, turns out to be invalid. Thus, a cash transaction is the best option in this matter. Make sure the money is not fake. For very large amounts, check the authenticity of the cashier's checks of small banks in large institutions and cash them before handing over the keys, documents, and the car itself. Never accept a personal check or settle for a milestone payment.