How To Sell Your Car

Step 1: Prepare

Whether you're selling your car privately or part exchanging it at a dealership, how you present the car is critical to getting the best price. So you need to give it a thorough going-over.

Change the oil, check the tyres, make sure there are no chips or cracks on the windscreen. Get any niggling little problems seen to by a professional – it may seem odd to spend money on a car you're selling, but it can help secure a higher selling price.
Make sure you give everything a good clean
Interior: Chuck out any old bits and bobs, and hoover like you've never hoovered before. Use a fabric refresher and clean the windows.
Exterior: Give it a good wash, and get in all the nooks and crannies. Pay extra special attention to the lights, skirts, bumpers and door panels. Polish up the wheels and maybe even give it a good wax.
Once it's clean, replace any bits and bobs that have gone missing over the years, and dig out and organise all the paperwork including the full service history.
You'll need:
The car's logbook and service history
The MOT details
The registration number and vehicle identification number
and a tax disc

Step 2: Pick a price, and write an ad

Be realistic, but don't set it too low! You can get it valued by a specialist, or do some thorough research on other, similar cars that are on sale. The internet provides the ideal environment to look at cars like yours in private classifieds and dealer adverts. Go in slightly higher than you'd accept, and prepare to be haggled down – no one expects to pay the asking price for a car!

In your advert, really work on selling the car – write a nice crisp bullet pointed list, and avoid waffle or meaningless phrases – stick to the cold, hard facts. Where possible, use a photo- it'll really help! And take a good one!

Step 3: Viewings

When someone comes round to view, be friendly, approachable, and honest.

Check they are fully licensed and insured to drive the car and take them out for a test drive. If they've sorted out their own insurance for this – ask to see a copy. Alternatively you can call your own insurers and stick them on your policy for the day.

When it comes to money, ideally, you should take cash. But if that isn't practical, take a bank transfer, banker's draft or cheque – but make sure the funds are cleared before you let them have the car.

And make sure you get as many details from the buyer as possible – ID, address, telephone number so that if anything does go wrong, you can track them down.

Write two receipts- one for each of you detailing the transfer, and both sign each copy.

Step 4: Once its sold

You should let the DVLA know you no longer own the vehicle by signing and returning the relevant section of the V5 – you don't want to get the blame for anything the new owner gets up to.
All being well, you should get a nice price. Don't accept the first offer if it's too low – only sell when you're ready, and at the right price for you.