You would think that everyone realises that selling your car really demands spending time and even a few bob to try and make the vehicle look as presentable as possible and easier to sell? The last thing you need is for a sharp-eyed buyer to spot several faulty or unsightly details that obviously will affect the asking price or worse, they just simply shake their head and walk away!
Incredibly, some people simply don’t bother because they think if a car is too ‘clean and tidy’ a potential buyer might suspect you are trying to cover up something wrong with it! But the reality for most people is that they don’t want to spend any more money to sell the car. But by making a little bit of effort to properly prepare your vehicle, you can actually increase the selling price.
Remember – even novice car sellers are likely to bring a more knowledgeable friend along to a car viewing who will look carefully under the bonnet, check all four tyre treads and switch on and off every single switch and button on the dashboard – even the rear windscreen heater! How do you know if your rear brake lights works if you haven’t checked?
It doesn’t take long to also top up the oil, coolant and windscreen wash levels, ensure tyre pressures are correct – and don’t forget the air filter! While never a guarantee that a car really has been looked after – the service history, receipts and MOT certificates should help here.
A thorough clean and polish of outside bodywork is always essential. When cleaning the car interior you will likely expose any wear on the driver side carpet, seating, head rest, foot pedals and steering column. This is expected, if the car mileage is high, and it might be worth replacing carpets, gear stick knobs, etc!
The extra time and effort can make that vital difference to the final price agreed, whether you decide to sell the car yourself to a private buyer, a local dealer or through a specialist online car buyer.