How to sell your used car

Fact Jeke Behind the Wheel
MOST vehicle owners, especially those who buy used cars, normally enjoy driving them for the first two to three years after the purchase and thereafter they start thinking about selling and replacing them.
While the decision to sell and replace a car is simple enough, the actual disposal is not as easy as it requires you to seek answers to the following questions.

Is your car worth the amount that you are asking for? Is the price attractive enough to clinch a sale easily?

Is it a hot commodity?

You also need to have an idea about which cars are selling quickly and those that are not.

Family sedans, while unexciting to many, are in constant demand by people needing basic, inexpensive transportation.

Convertibles and sports car sales are seasonal. They are normally in demand during summer because owners of convertibles want to be noticed as they drive along the street with the top off.

Trucks and kombis are steady sellers and command competitive prices. Collector cars will take longer to sell and are often difficult to price.

However, these cars can have unexpected value if you find the right buyer.

When you have established the above the next step is to check the classified ads to see how much others are asking for your type of car.

For example, select the year and trim level of your car and see how your price compares to that of similar cars on the market.

Take note of their condition, mileage, geographic location (A car being sold in Bulawayo might be priced lower than one being sold in Harare).

This allows you to come up with a realistic and competitive price that will enable you to sell your vehicle quickly.

When pricing it is always advisable to ask for a price that is higher than what you are expecting.

This allows you to make an adjustment if a prospective buyer asks for a discount and you still get the amount that you want.

If you want to get US$10 000 for the car, you should ask for US$11 500. That way, if you the buyer wants a discount you can take off US$1 500 and still get your US$10 000 and if they don’t ask for a discount you get the US$11 500.

After you have set the price ensure that your vehicle’s condition is convincing enough for a prospective buyer to pay the price that you are asking for.

This is because when prospective buyers come to look at your car, they will probably make up their minds to buy it or not within the first few seconds.

This is based on their first look at the car. So you want this first look to be positive. You want your car to ooze “appeal”.

Make sure it looks as clean and attractive as realistically possible. This goes beyond just taking it to the car wash. Make sure it is washed, waxed and detailed.

Have it serviced and ensure that the engine is not making any funny sounds or emitting smoke.

The engine should also be very clean and free of oil leaks. The car should also be free of dents and scratches.

The interior of the car should be attractive, from the seats, carpets and other trimmings. Be wary of cracks or tears on seats and carpets.

Have all your service records ready for the prospective buyers. You can also ask your mechanic to check out your car and issue a report on its condition. This can help to motivate a buyer who is sitting on the fence to buy the car.

Now that your car is looking great and running well, it’s time to advertise it for sale. Traditionally, people advertise in newspaper classified ads. You can also use social media Facebook, YOOKOS or WhatsApp.

So there you have it good luck on selling your car. So till next week, I hope this helps . . . be safe and happy motoring. God Bless you.