15 TIPS TO EFFICIENTLY SELL YOUR CAR
1. Sell or Maintain?
The first thing is to decide if you really need to continue having a vehicle but without romanticism. And if it does not pay for you to maintain it because it requires an investment that is not worth it, your life has changed and your own car is no longer a priority -or, simply, your mobility needs are different and you need another model-, the normal thing is that it is more advantageous to sell it than to cancel it temporarily or permanently. But you have to minimize the risks. Sell your car if you think it's better to change it. Get instant free car valuation by registration.
2. Price
Before placing an ad, look at many websites how cars similar to yours are priced (remember that one thing is what is asked for and another is what is paid) and determine how much you would be willing to sell it for at least. Then set a slightly higher price so you can negotiate.
3. What's in a hurry, really?
Even if you want to finish this management soon, calm down. And if you really are in a hurry to sell, start from a particularly sweet price, but avoid expressions such as "urge", because you will reveal your cards and the profiteers will start with very low offers.
4. Street vending
Be careful with putting up posters or stickers like the one above, as this is considered street vending and in many municipalities, it is expressly prohibited (a fine of a few hundred euros could ruin your 'business'). In addition, hawking your mobile like this will attract too many calls from curious that make you dizzy.
5. WEBS and Social Networks
If you advertise online, use the security filters offered by the buying and selling websites (approximate location of the item, absence of personal data, Paypal ...). In networks, do not give telephones without prior screening by private message and do not be left alone with potential buyers.
6. Transparency
All the information you give must be reliable. You should not refuse to let a potential client ask you to take it to a trusted workshop to examine it before formalizing the transaction. And even if in the purchase-sale contract, you renounce certain responsibilities, it is not worth exposing yourself to a lawsuit for alleged 'hidden defects'.
7. Photos
In the 21st century, an ad without images goes unnoticed or causes some mistrust. Wash the car, make sure to remove license plates, chassis, third parties, minors ... and choose an attractive environment to make a small dossier that contains images of the four sides of the vehicle, the interior, and anything else that stands out.
8. Damages
In addition to the strengths of the car, neither in the photos nor in the general description should you hide the most noticeable flaws: sooner or later, the potential buyer will discover them, and frustration could ruin the sale or motivate legal action against you.
9. Description
As we said, try to write an ad that is very complete and true to reality. Avoid clichés and phrases as bombastic and hackneyed as "he stopped walking", "foolproof" ... With a "non-negotiable price" don't close the door to someone presenting you with an even better offer than you thought. On the contrary, be firm with those who come asking for discounts just because, without a counteroffer.
10. Service History Invoices
If you have the maintenance book up-to-date and have always paid VAT on the invoices (as required by law), make all of that shine: they are valuable evidence to certify that the mileage is real when the next revisions and the replacement of wear elements ... and that there is no 'locked cat'.
11. Papers
Before even starting the sale process, spend an afternoon at home to sort papers, and make sure that you have up-to-date all the documents that anyone interested in the car may ask for, the exact year of first registration, the Correct version, and finishes of the model, the date of the last MOT ...
12. Insurance
A vehicle moves and is susceptible to accidents, with serious consequences. So you always have to circulate, at least, with the mandatory insurance. But do not use your policy as a sales argument (because the company will only be responsible for what is signed with the policyholder) or let the buyer take the car, once sold, with it in force. If you don't use a trailer, you can buy insurance for days and with roadside assistance.
13. Technical inspection
Although the law allows making such a transaction with it expired, we recommend that you sell the car with the ITV in force, as extra proof that everything is 'OK', that there are no hidden defects and that the buyer is not going to have trouble formalizing your new insurance policy.
14. Purchase-sale contract
There are many models on the Internet that anyone can print, but basically, it has to include the full name of each part, their ID or passport numbers, the description of the vehicle, registration and chassis number, amount, and the original signatures of the buyer and seller on every page. Each will keep a complete document.
15. Fees and change of ownership
Finally, it is time to hand over the keys ... and for the buyer to put the vehicle in your name. By law, you have a one-month term and, unless otherwise agreed, you can do it in an agency or on your own, but in both cases, you will have to complete the paperwork and pay the corresponding fees in the Treasury and Traffic. Meanwhile, you should notify the DGT and your insurance that this car no longer belongs to you.
And remember, in times of crisis, the sale of a car can take longer than expected, but it is not about giving it away either. Be patient, don't trust the first to pass, minimize risks and be honest: the goal is to make money, not to get upset!
