Where to start - selling my car.

northern_star

I'm sure a similar question will have been asked before but a quick scan of the posts didn't reveal anything so here goes;

I need to sell my car. From the proceeds I will help DD (18) buy her first car and the rest will go towards debt.

I reckon my car is worth about 3k if sold privately but I have never done this before and am very wary.

I'm looking to subsidise DD to the tune of around 1k and we hope she can purchase something for about 1.5k (she will pay rest and all other costs herself).

Ideally I would like to keep the car I have as we know it to be a good one but I need to release some of the money I have tied up in it at this point.

How do I go about selling it? (I really have NO idea where to start). Ebay has been mentioned but I've never used that and it seems to me an odd way to go about selling a car.

All advice would be welcome.

Quinny_2

Try your local Auto Trader.

You'll be able to get a copy at your local newsagents,and this will give you an idea what it's worth,and what to word in your ad.

Costs about £30,which will include a colour pic.

I sold my diesel Vectra in the Yorkshire Auto Trader last year,and my phone never stopped ringing,even after I had sold it.

If you do decide to go down this route,big your car up,and make sure that it's clean and tidy if someone comes to see it.A good wash and polish goes a long way to impress,as first impressions last.

Keep us posted.

Ken.

northern_star

Thanks for that. Is this the mag that's on stands in the supermarket (free) or a different one?

Also once I've advertised it and (presumably) people come to view, what's the protocol - what can I expect them to ask/want to see and what about test drives?

And then when it sells, what sort of payment is best? cheque? cash?

Sorry for the 1001 questions but i'm really out of my comfort zone here :-(

Quinny_2

What you need is the weekly Auto Trader published every Thursday.It's usually red/white/blue,and is about £1.60ish at a newsagents.If your unsure,just ask.

People will want a test drive,so make sure that the car is fully insured,taxed and mot'd.Don't forget,you still have a legal obligation under the Road Traffic act,in this respect.

As for payment,well cash is king obviously,but if they insist on a cheque,then bank it first,and wait until it's cleared before releasing the car.This is most important,as the cheque could bounce.

One thing I always do,and that is if they ask to come back after agreeing a price,insist on a non-refundable deposit in cash.That way,if they never return,it will cover the cost of re-advertising it.And always give a receipt with similar wording to:

Ford Mondeo reg no:XYZ 123V sold as seen to Mr.Smith of 1 Any Gardens,Anytown.AB1 2CD.
Paid £1000 cash.
From Mr.Jones of 2 The Cottages,Blogtown.
Signed:........

And make sure you complete the V5,(Log book.) and send it in asap to the DVLA.That way,if they pick up any speeding tickets,the DVLA computer will know where to send the fine.The DVLA now write to you about 2 weeks later to acknowledge that you've sold the car.

I'm sure there will be something that I've missed,and someone else will post,but it's now time to go to the pub,as I'm thirsty as it's so hot.......

Ken.

burbs_2

northern_star wrote:

Thanks for that. Is this the mag that's on stands in the supermarket (free) or a different one?

Also once I've advertised it and (presumably) people come to view, what's the protocol - what can I expect them to ask/want to see and what about test drives?

And then when it sells, what sort of payment is best? cheque? cash?

Sorry for the 1001 questions but i'm really out of my comfort zone here :-(

Quinny has basically covered everything in his posts to you.

Autotrader is the best place to whack the car, especially around your sort of value. This will generate the most interest.

The people coming to view are going to want to test drive, only allow them to do so if you feel comfortable. I sell cars for a living and often turn people away who i beleive to be time wasters.

Problems with any type of payment nowadays unfortunatly. Cash could have dodgy notes in it. Cheques you have to wait for so the sale cannot be instant.
You can go to the bank with the buyer and get the bank to transfer the money over there and then.

Quinny_2

I'm back,slightly inebriated,but can still type the keys.(Hic.)

Burbs has a good point about the cash scenario,so this gives you another avenue to pursue in the event of a sale.

If they are genuine,they won't mind this,if they are a bit edgy,than explain why you want to go down this route,and see their reaction,and then decide for yourself.

I'm off to bed now...........will look in tomorrow.

Ken.

northern_star

Thanks guys.
Have done a bit of research on t'internet re Auto Trader and it looks like my best option - might 'browse' a copy when I go shopping later - unless its one of those mags in a sealed packet!
The car is due its MOT and road tax next month so I'm guessing it's best to get them sorted first so I can offer it with 12 months test, 6 months tax - what d'you think?
Oh, and I will make sure it's gleaming inside and out (and minus DD's fluffy dice, sunflowers and other girlie paraphernalia :rolleyes: )

Quinny_2

12 months mot is a bit of a must really,as people tend to shy away from cars with a short test,as they think your selling it because it's riddled with faults, or may be going to cost a fortune at mot time.And don't forget,you can mot a car up to a month before the old one expires,thereby giving you 13 months mot.But to qualify for this,you must take your current mot to the testing station with you,and tell them.

Tax,although not so important,gives you more power not to drop your price when going in for the kill.If you decide not to tax it though,then obviously you have to make an allowance for this when negotiating.My Vectra had something like 9 months mot,and 3 months tax on it,but what I did was knock a bit off for the price of their fuel when coming to visit it,as they came from Immingham,and I live in Wakefield.Just me being generous I suppose.

What you need to do,is sell the car on it's plus points like,service history,(If it's got one) mot,reliability,etc.The buyer is probably going to ask why your selling it,so be prepared for that question.I was asked why I was selling my Vectra,and the reason was obvious,because there was a newer car in the shape of a Peugeot 406 2.0l HDi sitting in my drive in front of it which I had just bought!!!!!

Keep us posted.

Ken.

northern_star

Car has lots of plus points (air con, alloys, metallic paint etc) and full service history - only selling it 'cos I'm currently out of work and feel it's an extravagance at this time. TBH I don't really want to as it's a good car and we could end up with something for DD which is turns out to be a lemon.

BTW I've just spent an hour lovingly cleaning it and the heavens have opened - total downpour - and all my good work undone!