By James Smiley | 1/6/23
James Smiley is one of our longest employed Car Buyer’s here at CarVIO. His track record is amazing as well as his customer service skills. We have him as one of our Senior/Expert Buyer’s with an impressive 3,000 cars and counting!
Everyone wants the most they can get for their car, which is a no-brainer, right? Well, I talk to prospective car sellers every day and in my experience as a Car Buyer and having bought 3,000 plus cars, I can tell you these common mistakes will definitely keep you from getting the most for your car. Are you guilty of any of these?
Here are the top ten mistakes to avoid when selling your car:
1. Forgetting personal items in the car: Before you hand over the keys to your car, be sure to remove all personal belongings from the vehicle. This includes everything from important documents to CDs and sunglasses. You don’t want to risk losing any valuable items, and it’s just plain embarrassing to leave behind something like a half-eaten sandwich.
2. Forgetting to clean the interior: A clean car is a more attractive car. Be sure to vacuum the floors and wipe down all surfaces, including the dashboard and door panels. If you have leather seats, give them a good condition to restore their shine.
3. Forgetting to clean the exterior: The outside of your car is just as important as the inside. Wash and wax the body, and clean the windows inside and out. Fix any dents, dings, or scratches that are visible.
4. Failure to research the car’s current value: It’s important to know how much your car is worth before you start negotiating with buyers. Research the current market value of your make and model, and consider factors such as your car’s age, mileage, and condition.
5. Expecting to get money back from repairs: If you’ve put money into repairing your car, you may be hoping to get some of that money back when you sell it. However, it’s unlikely that you’ll recoup the full cost of repairs. Keep this in mind when setting your asking price.
6. Being less than honest about the car’s condition: It’s important to be upfront about any issues with your car. If you try to hide problems, you’ll likely get caught in the end, and it could hurt your credibility as a seller. Be honest about the car’s condition, and be prepared to show any documentation or receipts for repairs.
7. Using poor quality photos to advertise the car: If you’re using online classifieds or social media to advertise your car, be sure to use clear, well-lit photos. This will help potential buyers get a good sense of what your car looks like and make it more likely that they’ll be interested in taking a closer look.
8. Not having the service records for the car: Service records can be an important selling point, as they show potential buyers that you’ve taken good care of the car. If you have a complete service history for your car, be sure to have it on hand.
9. Not knowing where the title is: The title is a crucial document when it comes to selling a car. Be sure you know where it is, and that it’s in your possession before you start the selling process.
10. Trading in your car instead of getting money for it: When you trade in your car at a dealership, you’ll typically get less money than if you were to sell it privately. If you’re looking to maximize your profits, consider selling your car outright rather than trading it in.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can make the process of selling your car go more smoothly and hopefully get the best price possible.
When you work with CarVIO, you can sell your car instantly right from your own home. You can avoid unnecessary hassle or long, drawn-out processes and benefit from a quick and safe way to sell your vehicle. We purchase vehicles in a variety of conditions, including cars that no longer run. When you work with us, we will get as much as possible for your vehicle without even leaving your couch.
If you are ready to sell your vehicle quickly and easily, submit our online form today!