A roadmap to selling your car privately

If you’ve decided to sell your car, you might be interested in doing it privately. Not only can you potentially save money, but you might be able to get a lot more bang for your buck. There are a few pitfalls to avoid however, so read on for our top tips to selling your car privately.

1. Get your car professionally cleaned

Just like selling anything else – from clothing to a house – cleanliness is key. In order to attract buyers, your car will need to be in good condition. That means taking care of any scuff marks or damaged upholstery, as well as getting every inch of your vehicle professionally cleaned.

“Having your car professionally cleaned, with a detailed interior and exterior clean, is recommended,” says Rosco, Owner/Driver at AmazingEV.

2. Gather all the important information

If you think it might be relevant to a potential buyer, then find the paperwork and compile it in an easy-to-access folder. Preparation is just as important as cleanliness when selling your car privately, so make sure you gather things like:

• Vehicle documentation (including the logbook)
• Registration
• Car insurance details
• Proof of purchase
• Make, model and year of production

3. Try to time your sale well

Timing the market isn’t always easy – or even possible. But if you aren’t in a rush to sell your vehicle, then it might be worth factoring in the current market conditions to see whether or not now is the perfect time for a sale.

4. Choose the right places to sell your car

There are plenty of options for selling your car privately. It could be as simple as an advertisement in your local paper, or you might want to buy some ad space on popular websites like carsales.com.au.

Nowadays, you can even sell your car on social media platforms like Facebook Marketplace. Or if you have a specialty car or an electric vehicle, there may be dedicated community groups and associations you might be able to sell through.

5. Take some high-quality photos

Rosco says there are a number of things sellers do wrong when photographing their car for sale.

“Avoid photographing in your driveway,” he says. “Instead, choose interesting backgrounds like a local park to create eye-catching images. Then take photographs in optimal natural lighting, either at sunrise or sunset for the best results.”

6. Make sure your logbook is up to date

Your car’s logbook is essentially the only ‘proof’ of its maintenance history, so keeping it up to date can make potential buyers more confident about its condition and reliability. It will also show that you’re an honest seller.

Most importantly for you, though, is that having a complete logbook can make the resale process much more profitable, attracting more buyers and potentially increasing your car’s value.

7. Invest in a final service

You don’t want to risk losing a sale because something goes wrong during a potential buyer’s test drive. That’s why it’s worth putting your car in for a final service before selling it. You don’t necessarily have to get parts replaced, but you’ll at least have an accurate account of how your car is running, which you can share with the new buyer.

If you are trying to sell your electric vehicle (EV) privately, Rosco adds that it’s worth getting a professional battery health check with certification.

“Most EV batteries come with a warranty for between eight to 10 years,” he says. “Although, current EV battery technology can last up to 20 years or 200,000 kilometres.”

8. See what similar cars are selling for

You’ll want to make sure the for-sale price is reasonable. After all, if you set it too high then you’ll get very little interest. On the other hand, if you don’t know the true value of your car then you might get taken advantage of – and end up losing thousands on the sale.

It’s easy to jump online and see what your car’s market value is. Online car sales websites will likely have identical models for sale, and you can filter them by the year your car was made. This will help you know which price range to set.

9. Stay safe when meeting potential buyers

Choose a public place for the initial meeting – a shopping centre or a busy car park are perfect. Avoid meeting them alone and, if possible, bring a friend or family member.

Don’t share any personal information unnecessarily, and only accept cash for the sale or use secure payment methods. Plus, if you’re allowing test drives, always join the potential buyer in your car and even think about holding onto their ID or car keys as collateral.

Most importantly, trust your instincts! If something feels off, it’s okay to cancel the meeting or get in your car and leave.

10. Know the warning signs of scammers

Scammers come in all shapes and sizes, so be on the lookout! One of their most obvious strategies is making an offer that’s much higher than your asking price, especially if they ask you to refund the difference. Watch out for buyers who insist on using unconventional payment methods or aren’t willing to meet in person – they might say their brother or friend will be picking it up instead.

Also be wary of overly eager buyers who don’t seem to care about the car’s condition or history, or who refuse to provide ID or sign a bill of sale. If something feels too good to be true, it probably is!

Selling your car privately doesn’t have to be a headache. In fact, you might end up making more than if you were to trade it in at a dealership. Just make sure you adjust your car insurance as needed and take out a new policy if you end up buying a different car. Start comparing car insurance with Choosi today or call 13 55 55 to find out more.