5 tips to help sell used cars for a higher price

The end of the year is the time when many people want to change their cars to "upgrade", leading to the used car market being more vibrant than ever. According to some people with experience in buying and selling used cars, no matter how "delicious" your beloved car is, you should still follow some of the following tips to increase the value of the car.

1. Accurately price your car

Before deciding to sell, find out how much cars of the same year, mileage and condition are being sold for? Usually, the most common way to find out the price is to consult websites and forums specializing in buying and selling used cars or ask used car dealers for help in valuing them.

Many used car websites have car valuation tools.

From the information you have learned, based on factors such as years of use, fuel economy, interior and exterior, engine and accompanying equipment, ... it will be easier for you to price your car. Finally, you should establish a minimum price that you will accept to sell your car.

2. Clean the car before selling

Appearance is very important when selling a used car. You should not sell the car when it is too scratched, even dented on the outside. When the appearance does not seem to be okay, you should spend a little more money to take it to the garage to repaint and polish it to make the car as shiny as possible.

The car needs to be cleaned before being put up for sale. (Photo: Hoang Hiep)

Surely the buyer will be impressed with a clean car inside and out because it gives the feeling that the car is well taken care of. Therefore, before selling the car, no matter how rushed you are, you should spend a day to clean the interior parts such as: steering wheel, dashboard, gear lever, seats, trunk and other "nooks and crannies" of the car.

Also don't forget to clean the engine compartment and the trunk of the car because buyers will definitely look through these places.

3. Fix minor bugs

When buying a car, the buyer will test drive it and if the car has minor errors during the move, it will be easily detected. Some common errors are the "goldfish" light - Check Engine, problems with the lighting system (headlights, turn signals, fog lights or ceiling lights are missing), the car makes noises when going over bumps, or the rear camera is flickering,...

Experts say that, if possible, car owners should spend a little more time and money to find and fix small but easily detected errors because these can become fatal minus points that buyers will use to lower the price. Even picky customers will ignore your car.

In addition, if the tires are too old, do not try to "force it" but replace them with new tires. If the cost of replacing new tires is too expensive, car owners can also go to tire stores to replace worn tires but still good at a more affordable price.

Don’t waste time cleaning the engine compartment and trunk as buyers will definitely check these areas as well. (Photo: Hoang Hiep)

4. Take photos and write attractive sales copy

To attract readers of your ad - those who are interested in buying a car, you must have a lot of beautiful pictures. Take clear pictures, from many angles, and from the inside, outside, and the details of the car that need to be highlighted. Note that before taking pictures, you should clean the car thoroughly.

In addition, the content of the advertisement must also be attractive, concise, and contain all the most necessary information such as car name, brand, year of manufacture, outstanding features, desired price, etc. Don't forget to highlight the advantages of the car you own compared to other cars of the same model.

Experts say that we should avoid overly flowery or general, clichéd advertisements such as "car used by women", "rarely used by civil servants", "spare tire not lowered", "seamless seams"... because sometimes this information becomes offensive when buying and selling cars.

Writing a compelling online ad does not mean you should misrepresent your car. On the contrary, be ready to provide the necessary information about the car when the buyer calls to save both of your time.

Try to take good photos, from many angles, both inside and outside the car. (Photo: Cars.com)

5. Always be honest and have goodwill when dealing with buyers.

The relationship between the seller and the buyer of a used car is considered by those involved as "fate". Therefore, both parties need to show goodwill and respect for each other. Sometimes, it is not because the car is so good that the customer "pays" but also because of the attitude and affection for each other when interacting.

Experienced people believe that sellers should be honest and willing to share any problems with the car so that the buyer feels "full" of information and is not deceived. At the same time, emphasize the strengths of their car compared to other cars on the market to convince customers to buy at the price they want.