How to sell your car

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Car maintenance

Buyers want a reliable car in excellent condition. Carry out a few essential car checks to ensure everything is in working order:

• An oil change won’t cost the world, and can make a big difference when the buyer checks under the bonnet – make sure you fill to the correct level using the dipstick
• Check tyres – make sure their pressure is correct, any punctured tyres are replaced and tread depth is at least 1.6mm deep – at least 3mm is strongly recommended
• All lights should be examined, cleaned, repaired or replaced if necessary
• Repair or replace any damaged car part which affects driving
• Check your car’s brake fluid, windscreen washer and coolant levels and fill accordingly – use sweet-smelling washer fluid for maximum impact
• Buy replacements for missing trims or badges
• Consider replacing any wheel trims - especially if they've been kerbed. Damaged alloys can often be repaired.

Exterior

There are a number of cleaning jobs which can make your car gleam with pride, ready for the all-important advert photograph.

Wash the car from the roof down with car shampoo and a sponge. Avoid using washing-up liquid, as this can cause rust.

1. Clean the car from top to bottom, not forgetting minor details such as wheel arches, bumpers, outer skirts and inner door panels
2. Scratches can be covered with special fluids such as T-Cut
3. Clean the wheels last. Use a special alloy wheel cleaner if dirt is particularly stubborn to remove
4. Rinse the car thoroughly with a hose or bucket of water
5. Dry with a chamois leather
6. Use car wax or polish to create the perfect sheen. Don't worry if paint residue appears on the cloth; this is just a layer of ‘dead paint’

Interior

A car’s interior is just as important as its exterior – car buyers want a comfortable drive which looks great inside as well as out.

1. Vacuum the carpets, mats, seats, dashboard and any dusty crevices
2. Use low-gloss cleaner on the dashboard (avoid household polish)
3. Wipe glass with window cleaner and a damp chamois
4. Get minor damage or holes on the dashboard fixed by specialists
5. Empty the ashtrays; spray and wipe them clean
6. Use a light air freshener or odour neutraliser if the car smells of smoke, but don’t use too much…

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Pricing

Look on our website or in your local Auto Trader magazine for relevant adverts. Find out your car’s asking price with What Car’s ‘What's it Worth?’ valuation tool.

Expect buyers to haggle – set your price a little higher than expected. If you’ve properly cleaned and repaired your car, buyer may be inclined to pay more for it.

For more help, read our guide to setting a price for your car.

Placing your advert

You can place an ad online or in your local Auto Trader magazine.

Use bullet points to accentuate the car’s best features – it could be climate control, alloy wheels or low mileage (cars usually travel 8,000 to 12,000 miles a year).

Keep online adverts between 50 and 75 words long and magazine adverts around 20 to 30 words. Minimise use of block capitals – these can be difficult to read.

Avoid vague phrases such as:
• Lovely driver
• Good car
• A joy to drive
• First to see will buy

Take a front three-quarter angled picture of the car and up to eight other photos.

For more information about writing a great Auto Trader advert, read our guide to wording your advert.

Video: Close the deal

Learn how to haggle and close the deal on your car with TV's used car expert Jason Dawe:

View our slide show on selling your car

For more information visit our car selling advice page and find out what to do before you advertise.