When selling a car, there are several things to take into account. First, decide whether you want to sell it privately or through an authorized dealer.

Next, determine how much your vehicle is worth. Edmunds offers several online tools to help you get an estimate. These figures will guide you when setting a price for your car.

Get it ready

When selling your car for the highest possible price, take the time to do it right. Aside from cleaning and polishing the exterior of the vehicle, it may be beneficial to hire a mechanic to inspect its engine, brakes, oil levels etc. If in excellent condition, your car could be worth thousands more in terms of value.

It’s no secret that first impressions matter when selling your house, so make sure the place is in top condition before you put it on the market. A freshly cleaned front door, beautiful flowers on display and a sparkling bathroom can go a long way toward helping you sell your property quickly. Furthermore, remove any personal items from the premises; having nowhere to put stuff can be one of the most challenging parts of any sale, so now is an ideal time for some de-cluttering!

Advertise it

Advertising your car for sale can be done in several ways, from online classified ads to word-of-mouth recommendations. Some options require money while others are free.

When crafting your ad, be sure to include information about the vehicle’s year, make, model and trim level as well as its mileage, color, condition and popular options. Finally, emphasize its most desirable attributes.

Also, include why you are selling the car. Doing so gives the ad a more personalized touch and may encourage potential buyers to offer more.

Additionally, you should prepare your car for a potential sale by fixing any minor cosmetic damage it may have. Things like door dings, scratches and cracks in the windshield can easily be fixed. Furthermore, ensure to obtain a smog inspection if required by your state DMV.

Find a buyer

When selling a car, you have several options. You can list your vehicle on websites like Autotrader or list it for auction – both are great ways to promote your automobile and reach a wide audience of potential buyers.

No matter which option you select, always adhere to safety precautions. Never meet with potential buyers at your home or other unprotected locations; always meet in well-trafficked areas and places that offer plenty of video surveillance.

Don’t be shy to invite a friend along for the ride. They can make the experience more comfortable for all involved.

It’s wise to provide potential buyers with a complimentary vehicle history report and make it accessible. Having this data available helps build buyer confidence in their purchase, increasing the likelihood that they’ll actually purchase the car.

Negotiate

Negotiating the price for a car can be intimidating. But if you take time to prepare, you’ll feel confident and secure in your purchase.

Begin by creating a budget for your new vehicle. Include the monthly payment, taxes and other costs in this calculation. After you have that number, run it through an auto loan calculator to see what you can afford.

Next, research new cars and discover any incentives the manufacturer is offering dealers. These may include discounts or free accessories.

Once you have this data, you can use it as a starting point for haggling over the price of your car. It is essential that you remain focused on the final price and not get distracted by things like trade-in value or add-ons.