How to get the best price for your car

How to get the best price for your car

Online car valuations are a hot topic. After your house, your car is probably your most valuable asset. That’s why, when it’s time to change, you’ll want to get the best price. Trade-ins have their place, but with hard cash in your pocket you may be able to do a better deal on your new car – and if you’re buying privately, trade-in is unlikely to be an available option.

As well as conventional ways to sell, the Internet now offers a convenient medium for car valuations and linking sellers with buyers. It also means buyers are better informed than ever – and unless you’re selling a Bugatti Veyron, lots of similar cars are probably competing for your buyer's money.

Tips for improving car valuations

Whether you want to sell to a private buyer or a car-buying specialist, here are some tips to help you get the best price for your vehicle. The answer to ‘how much is my car worth?’ lies in your hands more than than you might imagine:

• Make sure it‘s been properly serviced.

• Get minor damage repaired.

• Get all the paperwork together.

• Get an HPI check to show there’s no credit outstanding.

• Make sure the jack and spare tyre are present.

• Have it valeted – it can help when selling a used car.

• Long tax and MOT helps too.

• Pick the time of year (if you can) – December probably isn’t the best time to sell your convertible!

• Have a good idea about used car prices – this will help you price it realistically.

• Write a great ad – sell the benefits.

• Be flexible when you negotiate. 

Try thinking like the motor trade

Above all, try thinking like a car dealer. The professionals are masters at presenting vehicles and increasing perceived value with extras that don’t cost them much to offer, but which are worth lots to buyers. If you can do the same, you’ll increase the likelihood of getting top-dollar for even the oldest hatchback.

Use a reputable online car buying service

If you don’t want to sell privately, there are many reputable websites for selling your car online. Using the latest web technology, you can input vehicle details in a few moments before getting a valuation. If you accept the offer, you can deliver the vehicle to a convenient drop-off point where the buyer will inspect it. Or you can arrange collection from your home or work. Payment follows in a couple of days by secure, convenient electronic transfer.

As with private sales, or dealer trade-in, getting the best price is down to the condition of the vehicle and the remaining tax and MOT, as well as make and model, age and colour. 

The benefits of selling to an online car buyer

So what’s it to be? The hassle, costly advertising and risks of selling privately? The challenge of trading-in to a dealership? Or a convenient, hassle-free sale through a reputable online car buying service. 

• Avoid the time and expense of advertising

• Avoid having strangers coming to your home

• Avoid advertising your phone number to the public

• Avoid time-wasters

• Get fair car valuations and fast, secure payment 

If this sounds good, just fire up your laptop or smartphone, enter a few details about your car and its condition, and get car valuations and offers for your vehicle. Then, armed with cash, start looking for your next four-wheeled pride and joy!