What To Do Before Selling Your Car
Author: Toby Date Posted:16 August 2024
So, you’ve decided it’s time to part ways with your trusty vehicle. Whether you’re eyeing a shiny new model or looking to downsize, selling a car can definitely feel daunting.
But don’t worry–we’re here to walk you through everything you need to do before selling your car. That way, you can immediately impress potential buyers and make a great deal.
How to Prepare Your Car for Sale
1. Clean Up and Fix Minor Repairs
A well-maintained car can fetch a higher price. By investing a little time and effort into cleaning and minor repairs, you can significantly increase your car's value when it's time to sell. Heck, you can even save and gain more by knowing how to service your own car.
For the exterior, give your car a thorough wash and wax, paying special attention to the wheels and tyres. If any minor repairs need to be made, be sure to take care of them to make your car more appealing and potentially increase its value.
Some common repairs to consider:
- Fixing dents or scratches
- Replacing broken lights
- Repairing minor interior damage
- Replacing worn-out wiper blades
- Topping up fluids (oil, coolant, brake fluid)
Superspares offers a wide range of quality parts and accessories to help you with these touch-ups.
For the interior, vacuum every nook and cranny. Clean the dashboard, console, and all other surfaces. And of course, remove all personal items and clutter.
2. Get a Safety Check
In Australia, a Certificate of Roadworthiness (also known as a 'roadworthy' or 'RWC’) is often required when selling a car. What’s it for? Well, it’s a certificate that confirms your vehicle is in a good enough condition for safe road use. They usually expire after 30 days. So if a car isn’t sold in that timeframe, you need to get a new one.
Depending on your state, however, you might not need one. So it’s always best to check first.
Victoria requires a roadworthy certificate for registered cars sold for road use, typically arranged by the seller. Queensland also mandates a ‘safety certificate’ for selling a car, while in the ACT, this is only required for cars over six years old.
In New South Wales, you can sell a car without a roadworthy certificate, but cars over five years old need an annual safety inspection for registration renewal. Other states and the Northern Territory also do not require a roadworthy certificate for selling a car.
3. Gather Important Documents
Now that you have your RWC sorted out, here are the documents you need to sell your car. Collecting this paperwork not only streamlines the sale but also builds trust with potential buyers.
Checklist:
- Registration papers
- Roadworthiness certificate
- Service history
- Owner’s manual
- Spare keys
4. Take Quality Photos
Start by finding a good location for the photoshoot. Choose a clean, uncluttered background, and try to shoot in good light–early morning or late afternoon light is ideal to avoid harsh shadows and highlights.
Make sure to cover all angles of the car, taking photos from the front, back, and sides, as well as close-ups of the wheels and any special features. Don’t forget interior shots!
If your car has any unique selling points, like new tyres or a recently cleaned engine, make sure to highlight these in your photos.
5. Write an Honest Ad
Write an honest, detailed ad to attract buyers. Highlight the positives, but don’t shy away from mentioning minor issues.
What to include:
- Basic details (make, model, year, mileage, price)
- Condition (interior and exterior)
- Service history
- Features and extras
- Reason for selling
- Contact information
- Selling price range
Unsure how to set a price on your vehicle? If your car is in great condition, you can price it on the higher end. If it has some wear and tear, adjust the price accordingly. You can also factor in any extras like a premium sound system, custom wheels, or recent major repairs, as these can add value.
Pro tip: Do some online research to check out similar cars’ prices, conditions, and mileage to get a ballpark figure for yours. Because if the price is too high, you might scare away potential buyers. If it's too low, you might not get what your car is worth.
6. Protect Yourself
Before scheduling a test drive, make sure the buyer has a valid driver’s licence. Once that’s set, schedule the test drive in a safe, public place. For your peace of mind, accompany them on the drive and be ready to answer any questions.
If everything goes well, secure the payment and don’t forget to provide a signed receipt to document the transaction details and protect both parties legally.
Time to Sell Your Car Like A Pro
And that’s everything you need to know about what to do when selling your car!
Although it can seem like a big task, with a bit of preparation, you can make car selling a smooth and even enjoyable experience. Just follow these steps and you’ll be well on your way to a successful sale.
And remember, if you need any parts or accessories to get your car ready for sale, Superspares Australia has you covered with a wide range of quality products.
