13 Tips to sell your vehicle on Craigslist

It has finally happened, after years of memories together it is now time to sell your beloved vehicle on Craigslist. With so many competing ads on craigslist, how can you sell your vehicle quickly and still get the best price? We have the top 13 tips on just how to sell your car, truck, motorcycle, scooter, or any vehicle for that matter on Craigslist.

If you are thinking about selling your used car, you want to make sure you get the best price possible. Getting maximum value from the used car sale is easier if you follow some of these key steps. Some people would never consider selling their vehicle in a private sale, preferring instead to trade it in when the time comes to purchase a new vehicle. Private sales are more likely to result in a higher sales price than dealership trades. Taking on this task may appear to be a daunting task, but if you follow a few strategies, a private sale does not have to be as difficult and can earn you a much higher profit. More money from the sale means more money to put toward the purchase of your new car.

1. Determine the resale value of your vehicle.

You can find out which cars are in high demand by conducting a simple online Craigslist search. Cars with high gas mileage or low mileage are highly valued. Lower gas mileage and higher mileage will yield a lower value, so it is critical to accurately assess your car to determine its value.

2. Check the exterior

Check that the exterior of your vehicle is clean and in good condition. A good wash and wax will improve its appearance significantly. Make an effort to buff out any scratches or minor damage. Consider touch-up paint if your car has rust.

3. Its also the inside that counts

Examine the interior to ensure it is clean and in good condition. Vacuum the floors and seats thoroughly. Examine the condition of the seats and the door panels. You could even hire a professional detailer.

4. Have a Third-Party inspection

Have a mechanic pre-inspect the vehicle. The mechanic will be able to tell you if the vehicle has any major issues. Repairs that are minor should be completed. You must ensure that the vehicle is safe for others to drive.

5. Have a documented vehicle history

Sort through all of the service and maintenance records. Buyers are more likely to pay top dollar if you have all of the records and can provide warranties if they are still valid. This will demonstrate that you kept the car in good condition. You can even pirnt out the information from CarFax and have that ready too.

6. Get the Legal stuff in order

Obtain the car’s title and registration. A buyer wants to ensure that they are purchasing a vehicle with a clear title. Nobody wants to buy a car with a lien on it.

7. Set the right price

Determine the cost of your vehicle. You can use internet resources like Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, and the National Automobile Dealers Association Guide to help you set a fair price for both the buyer and yourself. You can compare your vehicle to similar vehicles, even down to the features and mileage. Examining all three sites will assist you in determining a reasonable price. A good rule of thumb is to stay within 5% of the guidebook values.

8. Be prepared and informed

When there are interested buyers, have all of the information about your vehicle available. You should be able to answer questions about your car’s condition, available options, and other general inquiries. The majority of buyers will want to know if the vehicle has ever been in an accident or sustained any damage.

9. Be willing to go on test drives

Be ready to take a test drive. The majority of buyers will want to test drive the vehicle. Determine how this will work for you. Consider having a friend assist you for safety reasons, and keep the person’s license. Just remeber to be safe when doing so.

10. Remove any loans or debts

Pay off all car loans. You won’t be able to transfer title to another person until the loan is paid off. Make arrangements for the buyer’s financing to handle your loan, and have all loan information ready before selling the car.
When selling your used car, take your time. If you have prepared yourself beforehand you will know exactly what you are getting into and hopefully maximize the value of your car.

11. Little details count

Prepare your vehicle for sale. Every car buyer desires a high-quality vehicle. Consider what you would look for in a car if you were in the market for one. Is the car spotless? How does the interior and exterior appear? Prepare it as if you were going to buy it again. Give it a good wash and a new coat of wax. Wipe down all exterior surfaces, paying special attention to the wheels and windows. Make sure to clean the doors, seats, and panels on the inside. Clean the seats as well as all other surfaces. Also, perform any routine maintenance, such as oil changes and air filter replacements.

12. List your vehicle on Craigslist

After you’ve determined your price, you’ll need to consider marketing your vehicle. In addition to placing it in a prominent location like Craigslist, you can also list the vehicle on other internet websites like eBay Motors. Consider placing an ad in off-line resources as well like the local newspaper, car magazines, and other publications. The important thing to remember here is to be honest, detailed and show lots of photos! A good photo can tell an entire story about your car and answer many questions; so be sure to maximize the number of photos allowed in a posting.

13. Prepare to negoiate

You may need to negotiate the price with a potential buyer. Before you begin, you must have determined your “bottom-line” sales price. remeber this is a purely a sales transaction and the buyer has no emotional attachement to the car. Don’t get too worked up about the price during this negotiation. Obviously, you should ignore low-ball offers, but don’t dismiss offers that are a little on the low end. Remember that you want to sell the car, but you also want the buyer to feel like they got a good deal.

Keeping these tips in mind will help ensure a smooth sale. The more detailed your ad and background preparedness, the fewer questions you will have to answer and the greater the confidence the buyer will have.