Selling a used car isn’t easy even when the second-hand market’s strong. If you are somebody who is interested in getting rid of their car and buying something better or who just wants some cash to play with, this post has you covered. While navigating the used car market can be difficult, especially for the uninitiated, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to get a better price. Maximizing price should be your main focus as somebody who’s selling their vehicle.

Here are some tips you can use to sell your old vehicle:

Scrapping Car

If the car that you are selling cannot be restored or repaired then take it to a junkyard. According to one company buying junk cars in San Antonio, you can cash on the same day that you drop your car off. It’s worth noting that junking services do not tend to offer more for specific makes and models of cars. As a general rule, a Ferrari will be worth just as much as a Ford. Junkyards want the metal the cars are made of not the cars themselves. In some cases, you can negotiate with junkyards and get a better price for your car. It is generally only possible to get a better price if your car is in working order as junkyards sometimes keep cars that do not need to be junked, repair them and then sell them.

Part-exchange

Depending on your car’s condition you could part-exchange it and use it to get a better deal on your next car. As long as you take your car back to the dealership you brought it from this should not be an issue. Some used car dealerships offer part-exchanges too. Ensure your car is in good condition when you exchange it otherwise you won’t get a good deal. When you part-exchange the amount of money the car’s worth is then deducted from the new car you want to buy, saving you money. Before you get your hopes up about getting a new car speak to the dealer that’s selling the one you want and ask them if they offer part exchanges; if they do, find out how much they will give you for the car that you are trying to sell.

Selling Online

You don’t have to be a genius to sell your car online. In recent years hundreds of used car sites have popped up. Finding one to use shouldn’t take you much time at all. If you are planning on selling your car online then you need to make sure that you advertise it accurately. It is very common for people selling their cars online to exaggerate their conditions. Misleading people and wasting their time can get you in trouble. Individuals responsible for this kind of behavior can actually get banned from used car websites. Misrepresenting the condition of a car can even be considered fraud in some places.

Upgrading Interior

Getting the best price for your car can be as simple as upgrading its interior. If your car’s interior is tired and distressed then cleaning and refreshing it will get you better offers. You may even want to install some new features like a DAB radio if your car does not have one. A DAB radio won’t cost you much but can add hundreds to the value of your car. If there is any external damage then try to fix it before you list it for sale. Repairing damage yourself can save you mechanic fees and get you a better price for your car.

Negotiating Price

When somebody makes you an offer on a used car site try to negotiate with them. Anybody who has ever sold a car online before will tell you how stressful it can be. People making offers are always trying to get better deals out of you. If you are somebody who’s not very experienced with buying and selling cars then you could end up getting taken advantage of unless you negotiate. Negotiating price is easier to do over the phone or the internet if you are shy or have anxiety.

Used Car Dealerships

Depending on the condition of your car, rather than selling it to private individuals you could sell it directly to a used car dealership. Used car dealerships will not pay much, however, as they have to make a profit themselves. Generally, they’ll pay around 50% of a car’s true value. If you are struggling to sell it online and need money fast then selling to a used car dealer is worth doing. You do not need to worry about making upgrades or changes to a car you are selling directly to a dealership as they will do these things themselves. Only ever sell to dealerships with good reputations. A dealership’s reviews will help you to get an idea of what they are like to work with.

Selling to Family

If any of your family or friends are in need of a new car, why not try and sell yours to them? It does need to be noted that when you sell to loved ones you always get taken advantage of. Your loved ones will haggle with you and try and get the best price they possibly can. Do not try to take advantage of them and sell your car for more than it is worth. Bear in mind that when you are selling to family members you need to be open and honest about the car’s condition. If there are any issues tell them instead of letting them find out themselves.

Being Realistic

Realism is essential when you are selling things online, no matter what’s being sold. If you do not have a realistic attitude then you will end up being disappointed. No matter how good your car’s condition is you probably won’t sell it for its true market value. Buyers online are very hard to deal with and typically offer low amounts of money for cars even if they are in pristine condition. Work out a realistic amount you are happy taking and then do not accept less than that. Price your car higher so you can ‘negotiate’ it down to the amount you are comfortable accepting.

Cars are not cheap. For most people, they are the biggest purchases they will ever make in their lives, besides their houses; if you have a car you are trying to get rid of then you should be trying to get the best price you can. Money is short for a lot of people right now so there has never been a better time to get a good deal on your car. If you are unhappy with an offer do not hesitate to turn it down and make a counter-off. Be realistic when selling your vehicle, however. Do not ask for more than it is worth.