If you’re tired of your old wheels, it could be high time to start looking into the best ways to sell the vehicle. It might have been reliable, but all good things come to an end and there is always a promise of a brand-new car on the other side of the “selling” ordeal. But is the experience of selling a car such a horror story that it is completely viable to call it an ordeal before you’ve even started the process? With these tips on how to sell your ride, the experience should be as smooth as they come.

Turn it into a looker

Before you even consider the logistical minutia of selling your car, you have to turn it inside out and clean every nook and cranny until it’s spotless. One option is to clean your own car if you are a tidy type, and the other one is to take it to the professional cleaner. Presentation is everything and turning your car into a looker will certainly help to sell it faster. This also includes routine maintenance: check if the fluids are topped off, inspect the belts for wear and tear and replace the burned-out bulbs.

Car’s value

Nevertheless, you must figure out how much your car is worth. An overinflated price due to good maintenance and sleek looks simply will not do. You have to consider variables such as mileage, the brand, model, crash history and extra perks. The most important thing is to do thorough research on car sale websites in order to properly gauge the used-car market. The last thing you need is to put off the potential buyers.

Turn online for advertising

The days of advertising your used car in yellow pages are long gone. Most of the time, we turn to the online platforms simply because it is more convenient and cheaper. We also have to bear in mind that the online world is pretty much a jungle. Your choice depends on how you’d want to sell your car. A question such as: “Should I sell my car for cash through Carbiz rather than any other platform?” should have a range of reasonable answers such as – free pickup and delivery, annual coverage, return policy and non-commissioned crew. In other words, what you need is a no-nonsense mechanism to flip your car quickly through a fair and clear transaction.

Get the paperwork in order

After you’ve done all the necessary maintenance and repairs, add these additional service records to the “ledger” dedicated to your car. They are not only a good way to keep track of your car’s weak spots but proof that the car has been taken care of properly. However, a stack of papers will not impress the potential buyer – in fact, it might make them hesitant to go through with the purchase. This is where the “ledger” part comes in – fill out a consistent list that will have all the listings for repairs and tweaks done along with date and mileage.

Establish rapport

It is a challenge to sift through all the potential applicants, but it is the only viable way to narrow it down to a few reliable buyers. The following step is to establish rapport with them. The first thing you should do is find a convenient place to meet up and showcase the car. Don’t give them your home address since you cannot be too careful. As soon as you meet, initiate the conversation in order to break the ice – this will disarm the potential buyer and relieve the anxiety. It also reduces the chance that the buyer will be unhappy once they finally purchase the vehicle, especially if you hand them the related paperwork, as mentioned in the tip above.

When it comes to selling your car, there are no infallible tips, but as long as you show confidence and initiative, each of the mentioned tricks should work like a charm. Remember – when it comes to selling anything, nothing can replace the human touch, and if you go out of your way to present your used car in the best possible light without overcompensating, a new owner could spring up faster than you can say – foolproof plan.