Sell My Car! Guaranteed Car-Selling Hacks That Work No Matter What Kind of Car You’re Selling

Marc Skirvin
Marc Skirvin

What's in this Article

Selling a car can be one of the most frustrating endeavors a person could embark on.

You have people who don’t even show up to appointments to look at it and those who say they have to “check with their spouse,” and then proceed to drop off the face of the earth.

However, we are here to tell it’s not impossible!

If you find yourself asking, “am I ever going to sell my car?” then this is one article you must read.

Scroll on to discover the best tips and tricks in the trade of selling a car!

Cleaned and Detailed

First and foremost, first impressions are everything when it comes to selling your car. 

As long as your car is on the market, it needs to stay clean inside and out. Do your best to get make stains disappear and repair small damages. Look at junkyards for cheap fixes for a missing rearview mirror, knobs, etc.

You absolutely need to get rid of smells, especially if your car smells like cigarette smoke. Even chain-smokers won’t buy vehicles that wreak of it.

If you’re saying “I want to sell my car now!” keep it clean inside and out.

Quality Pictures

Once your car is cleaned and detailed, take the extra time to take quality pictures of your car, including the interior.

Most shoppers online will completely bypass a car for two photography-related reasons. First, if the pictures are blurry, out of focus and poorly done, buyers will relate that to how you’ve cared for the car.

Secondly, if you completely neglect to take any interior pictures, buyers will assume it’s because there’s stuff in there you don’t want people to see. Automatic turn-off.

The more pictures, the better. But don’t over-do it.

Post it Online

For those of you thinking, “I need to sell my car quickly,” you also need to be thinking “online shoppers.”

Posting your vehicle online expands the target area of your ad. Putting an ad in the newspaper is good, but how many people actually read the newspaper anymore?

Post your car on Facebook to your friends and family and request that they share it on their personal pages. This will exponentially increase the number of people who are going to see your car.

You can also take advantage of local Facebook markets. You have to join the page and be approved, but thousands of people are linked into those groups.

‘Tis the Season to Sell

There’s no harm in putting your car up for sale in the dry season, but studies have shown that there are definitely hot and cold times to sell cars. Ironically, the hot times to sell cars are when it’s hot out and the cold times are during cold months.

Selling your car in the summer or spring will help increase your odds and get you the most money for it. However, you may also have good luck selling an SUV in the fall before it starts snowing.

Be Prepared to Haggle

When selling a used car, especially privately, people are going to want to get a lot for a little.

Be prepared to haggle and even drop your price if necessary. Just don’t lose the farm to get a quick sale. People who shop online and buy from private buyers expect to get a good deal, otherwise, they’d be at the dealership.

The Price is Right

Along with haggling, make sure you haven’t over-priced your car. Don’t get greedy. If you’re of the mindset of “I want to sell my car for more than it’s worth,” you’re playing a fool’s game.

Be honest with yourself and potential buyers. Be up-front about everything that doesn’t work or is breaking down. Think to yourself “can I sell my car at this price in its current condition and feel good about it?”

If you can, then you’re good to go. If not, reconsider your price.

History Report

Most buyers are going to want to see a certified vehicle history. You can buy them or find free ones.

Mainly, buyers want to know what your car has been through and with how many owners.

If your car has a bad history, expect buyers to ask for a lower price.

Get it Serviced

If you want to sell your car fast and for the right price, you need to spend a little cash up front and get your baby serviced.

Having your car running smoothly and efficiently can be the major difference in people buying and people walking.

Getting into a car with no problems, a new oil change, and freshly rotated and aligned tires will show a potential buyer that you have invested time and care into the vehicle.

Buyers who take a test ride in a car that appears to be on its last leg will run away like their hair’s on fire.

Take good care of your car, it will show.

Mileage

Mileage plays a big role in the value of your car. You may have a car only 2 years old, but if there are over 150,000 miles on it, buyers are going to want to see a price drop.

There are mileage markers about every 20,000 miles that will add to the depreciation of your car. Anything over 140,000 miles, however, is considered significantly high mileage.

Find the Right People to Help

Now, if your thought process is “I want to sell my car the fastest and easiest way possible,” there’s an option for that, too!

There are companies out there who buy vehicles for cash instantly! No kidding.

Some of these companies will even buy totaled vehicles. If you find yourself questioning the legitimacy of it all, check out these reviews.

Sell My Car Now

If you’re tired of haggling with buyers and waiting on no-shows to see your car, maybe it’s time to try a different route.

Selling your car privately can happen within days, but it’s highly unlikely. Sometimes, private sellers never sell their cars!

However, when you find yourself screaming “I just want to sell my car!” we can help. It’s quick, easy, and all online. We even tow the car for you!

If you have additional questions or concerns, check out our FAQ page!

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About the Author

Marc
Marc

Marc is the Co-Founder of Cash Auto Salvage and Director of daily operations. He retired from a leading Internet Marketing company in 2013 and has been involved in the automotive industry ever since.

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