Five things you need to do before listing your car for sale

Selling a second-hand car is easier than it has ever been, especially with the support of Australia’s largest online automotive retail site, carsales.

But finding the right buyer and, in turn, receiving the right price for your car requires a bit more legwork before you list it for sale.

So, here’s five handy hints of what you can do before listing your vehicle on carsales to help make it better for you – and the next owner.

First things first, learn all about the vehicle you’re selling. This may sound contrite for something you’ve probably lived with every day for a long period of time, but the more you know about your vehicle, what features it has and other key elements the more engaging you will be when it comes time to creating an online advertisement on carsales and writing a concise yet detailed description for the car.

And, beyond that, it creates a greater degree of trust between you and potential buyers when they enquire about it, or come for a test drive, which can help you either sell it quicker and/or hold more value when negotiating over the final sale price.

Obviously, the most important elements to get right are the make, model, and year of the vehicle, and if it is a specific variant as this will determine exactly what features it is fitted with in terms of safety equipment, creature comforts, trim and technology.

If you are unsure of this, ask a dealership or search online for an official brochure from the vehicle manufacturer during the year in which it was originally purchased and take note of some of the car’s highlight features.

Also understand whether it was fitted with any optional extras beyond the standard equipment, as this could enhance the value of the car and make it even more appealing.

Before you commit to uploading the car as a listing on carsales, browse the site for the same make and model and read what other sellers have written in their descriptions while also looking at the variance in prices and mileage for a better understanding of how you can make it more appealing in your description.

At the same time, it is equally as important to know how much your car is worth on the second-hand market.

With the exception of ultra-rare, million-dollar machines, cars naturally depreciate over time depending on a number of factors; how many kilometres they have travelled, their general condition and the overall market demand for specific types of cars.

While browsing carsales to research how to make your vehicle listing more appealing, get a gauge on the variance of prices for the same make and model and look at how your car compares in terms of specifications, condition, and mileage.

Also, take note of how many similar vehicles are for sale in your location; if there’s a lot of choice for potential buyers, it may be harder to sell; or conversely, if there are only a few, then it may be easier to stand out and attract more interest.

For a more accurate figure, use our RedBook valuation service. For just $33, you will receive a personalised and comprehensive valuation report using more than 60 years of expertise and our market-leading database.

Buying a second-hand vehicle from a private seller is an exercise in trust. So, the more you know about the mechanical condition of your car, the more confident you can be when explaining it to potential buyers.

You don’t have to be a qualified mechanic, but it helps to have a basic understanding of the vehicle’s service history, and its current condition.

Before you list the vehicle for sale, get a comprehensive service and vehicle check-up with a condition report that highlights if any common issues have been rectified, and whether there are any immediate issues, such as tyres or brake pads that need replacing, and potential long-term problems that need to be addressed sooner rather than later.

Also, check the federal government’s Vehicle Recalls website to see if the vehicle has been part of a mandatory recall during its lifetime (even before you owned it if you purchased it second-hand) and understand whether that issue has been rectified correctly.

A vehicle that has been serviced regularly, and according to the manufacturer’s minimum prescribed schedule, highlights it has been taken care of properly. So, make sure you have as much information as possible on how it has been maintained.

All this knowledge means you know the exact condition of the vehicle, which not only builds trust with buyers but can add significant value.

Before you do anything next, get the car professionally cleaned and detailed even if you wash it regularly.

It is incredible how sparkling your car will look after this process, both on the outside and inside the cabin, and even underneath if you go the whole hog.

Professional car detailing can make your vehicle look almost as good as it was in the showroom, which can make it stand out and increase its value. Some can even repair small paint blemishes and stone chips, which further enhance the appearance.

Lastly, and immediately after the car is detailed, find a good location to take a gallery of photos of the vehicle to support your listing on carsales.

As a rule, somewhere with a clean background will ensure the vehicle remains the most prominent feature in the photos. If you have a nice driveway at home, make sure the garage door is closed and there are no other items, like rubbish bins or kids’ toys in the images.

Otherwise, find a location that is clean with a clear background and doesn’t interrupt both road and pedestrian traffic. Avoid areas with telegraph poles, lamp posts or street signs in the background as this can be a distraction and/or look like they are ‘popping out’ of the car. It’s best to photograph a car on a road surface rather than grass too.

If you are taking the photos outdoors, look at the position of the sun and whether it is casting any shadows over the car. Try and find a clear area or move the car so any shadows are removed. Also, position the car so that the sun is behind you when facing the vehicle as this will ensure it is lit properly and sparkles.

Instead of moving around the car to take different images, reposition it to take photos of the front and rear so they look consistent and showcase the vehicle in the best light. Ideally, take your photos in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is lower. Professional photographers call this ‘golden hour’ as the light isn’t as harsh, which reduces the amount of glare produced off the glass and shiny surfaces and creates warm colour saturation.

Take a variety of images too. An essential gallery should include photos of the vehicle from the front and rear (both directly and slightly side-on), under the bonnet, from the driver’s seat, the dashboard, rear seats, and the boot, as well as the badge (to showcase the model variant) and any unique features, especially optional equipment or aftermarket accessories that have been fitted. Beyond that, if there are any mechanical or cosmetic issues take photos of those areas to be upfront, and any other interesting features or details that you like about the car that may attract potential buyers.

When all that is done, you’re now the best prepared to list your vehicle for sale on carsales, where we offer a myriad of simple and affordable solutions to improve its visibility to help you sell it to the right buyer at the right price.

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