If you’re worried about your vehicle being deemed unsellable, there are a few things to consider before giving up on its value. Are any cars truly unsellable? If so, what attributes of a car would lead to it being considered so?
To start, car owners are in luck: the vast majority of the time, your car probably isn’t going to be deemed unsellable. More often than not, every car has a buyer waiting to purchase it; this even includes damaged or totaled vehicles. For example, CarVIO is always happy to buy damaged cars, even if you’re worried about finding a buyer. Fortunately, if you’re looking to get rid of a car and to be fairly compensated for it, there is rarely a hopeless case. There are things that can be done to get an “unsellable” car in sellable condition, even without significant repairs.
What Makes a Car Harder to Sell?
If you’re trying to sell a car on your own, you’re more likely to run into obstacles. Although it’s a stretch to say that any car is truly “unsellable,” certain characteristics do exist that can make it more complicated to find a buyer for your car. Most of the factors are also entirely correctable, rather than being a permanent attribute of the car itself.
You Didn’t Provide Enough Pictures
It might seem overly simple, but it’s true—if you’re hoping to sell a car on your own, you’re going to need to provide enough pictures. Importantly, this should include any pictures that showcase your car’s flaws, leaving nothing to the buyer’s imagination.
In some ways, this could seem counterintuitive. Still, at the end of the day, buyers are more confident when they know exactly what they’re purchasing. If your listing is severely lacking in photos, this could lead to potential buyers becoming suspicious. Instead, be open and honest about the condition of your vehicle, flaws and all.
Start by taking pictures of the car’s front end before moving through the entire vehicle, from beginning to end. Do your best to leave buyers with as little uncertainty as possible. This will make your car far more sellable.
You Didn’t Clean Your Car
Before you get around to taking those photos, however, there’s something else you’ll need to handle: making sure that your car is as clean and tidy as it can be. It’s a simple fix, but it can make an enormous difference when it comes to the sellability of your vehicle.
If buyers look at your car’s listing and see clutter and filth, this will quickly cause them to leave your listing. Before they even look over the rest of the listing, potential buyers are going to shop with their eyes. This doesn’t mean your vehicle needs to be utterly flawless, in order to sell. Rather, it just needs to be cleaned to the best of your ability.
If the headlights of your older vehicle are cracked or clouded, it can be worth it to replace them. They’re simple to install, making this an easy fix prior to photographing and attempting to sell. If the floor mats aren’t in the best condition, you could also opt to replace those (again, in older, non-luxury vehicles, this typically isn’t going to be a large investment).
You Didn’t Remove Any Bumper Stickers
In a similar vein, before you take any pictures of your car, make sure that you’ve removed any bumper stickers or other ornaments. This could seem inconsequential, but you’d be surprised. Bumper stickers can be distracting and off-putting for buyers who are looking at your listing.
You Don’t Have Documents and Records
If you’re able to provide interested buyers with older records and documents, your car is going to be much more sellable. Again, when it comes to purchasing a vehicle, buyers don’t like ambiguity. The more upfront you can be with them about the state of your car, the better.
By providing buyers with all of the documents and records associated with the vehicle, you’re assuring them that they know exactly what they’re purchasing. Providing this level of assurance to potential buyers can make an enormous difference in terms of convincing them of your car’s sellability. In need of new printouts? If that’s the case, then you can always get in touch with places that previously performed services on your vehicle. The more documents you can gather about your car, the better.
You Didn’t Provide Buyers With Solutions
If you’re looking to make your car more sellable, sometimes, just letting potential buyers know about its issues won’t be enough. If your car is damaged or in need of repairs, consider providing buyers guidance on how to resolve them.
When you provide interested buyers with reasonable solutions, you’ll boost their confidence in your vehicle. Providing solutions can make the list of repairs seem far more manageable. It’ll take a bit more research and effort on your part, but it could go a long way toward enhancing the sellability of your car.
CarVIO Buys Old, Damaged Cars
Would you rather avoid the hassle of selling your vehicle, on your own? Then it’s a fantastic time for you to turn to the car buyers at CarVIO. Whenever you work with us, you don’t need to worry about your vehicle being deemed unsellable. Even if your car is seriously damaged, we’re still willing to buy it from you. To receive your free quote, contact CarVIO by calling us at (760) 314-8786.
