Selling Your Car? Here’s How to Get the Best Possible Deal

There’s never been a better time to sell your car. With the sale of new cars slumping, demand is the highest it’s ever been, meaning you’re perfectly poised to get the best possible price for your car. But there are ways you can bump that number up even more, and get a quick sale while you’re at it. These are just four things to think about ahead of selling your car.

Sort Out Your MOT

When you’re making preparations to sell your car, one of the first questions you should ask yourself is: When is my MOT due? If you can book and sort an MOT ahead of your car’s sale, you’re removing any doubt as to your car’s legal roadworthiness and general condition, as well as removing hassle from any potential buyer. They won’t have to sort their MOT, and they can buy safe in the knowledge the car is reliable – at least in the short term. If your car unfortunately fails your MOT, it’s an opportunity to get your car up to scratch, and to prevent any buyers sniffing out issues and haggling the price down as a result.

Make Sure Your Car is Clean

This might seem like a bit of a no-brainer, but cleaning your car ahead of selling it is one of the most impactful things you can do. Appearances count for a lot, and if a buyer is finding crumbs in the driver-side door they’re going to be a little less charmed by the car as a whole. If the car appears overall a little grimy, inside and out, the buyer may use this as leverage to drive down the price, suggesting it looks run-down and poorly looked-after. Avoid this conversation altogether by performing a deep clean, inside and out.

Be Mindful of Your Pricing

Whatever you do to bring your car up to sale-ready condition, there are buyers out there that will do anything for a deal – and haggling is par for the course. You need to be prepared to meet buyers that won’t take no for an answer, and avoid the possibility of selling your car for less than you’re comfortable with. To combat this, set your asking price above the price you were initially willing to sell for. This buffer zone lets you accept haggling offers graciously, without losing out yourself; everybody wins!

Be Transparent

Transparency is key to any car sale. You don’t want buyers to think you’re taking them for a ride – so let them take you for one! If they are legally allowed to, of course. Test drives are a brilliant way for you to demonstrate the car is as described, and an excellent way to inspire confidence in any buyers still making up their mind. Make sure you have all your documents to hand as well – including service reports and prior MOTs.