It's time to trade in your vehicle for a new one, but these days more and more buyers are actually opting to sell their vehicles privately instead of "trading them in" with car dealers. Selling a used car privately can often get a better sale price than a dealer trade in and with online listings, finding a potential buyer has never been easier.
One of the most important first steps when selling your car privately is to write a good classified ad. Like any advertisement, a classified listing needs to be engaging as well as informative to appeal to a potential buyer. An ad that just boasts that a car "will sell fast! Highly sought after model!!! etc" may seem like a good idea, but unless you're really touting a rare limited edition Ferrari, you'll benefit from divulging more information.
Tips for writing a great Used Car ad
- Be honest - put your best foot forward, but don't say the car is something it's not. Consumers have access to information that can find you out, including REVs checks and a car check report that will tell them the history of the vehicle, so there's no real point in trying to pass a car off as "Like New" if it's previously been in an accident.
- Follow the format - different classifieds sites follow a traditional format and have a legend for their abbreviations. Browsers are after quick and easy to access information from their search results, so find out the conventions and tailor your ad to the site.
- Include images - a picture is worth a thousand words. They make your listing more engaging and help establish your trust worthiness as a seller. So wax, polish and buff it to an impressive shine and snap a pic (or 10).
- Pricing - most websites recommend that you include a price with your listing as listings without prices generally get fewer enquiries.
- Be descriptive -it's best to highlight the positive features of your vehicle (ie first owner, list of extra features, good car history report) instead of less than helpful descriptions such as "runs like a dream", "looks fantastic", "best car you'll ever own!"
How Not to Sell Your Used Car
To tickle your funny bone - and get some of those creative juices going - here are some real "inspirational" classifieds listings on how not to sell your car.
- RUNS FINE
...I was going to say 'runs excellent' but I had a last-minute conscience attack.
- NEEDS SOME BODY WORK
...was blindsided by a Winnebago.
- WELL-MAINTAINED
...I changed the oil occasionally.
- LOOKS LIKE NEW
...just don't try to drive it anywhere.
- ALL ORIGINAL
...I never had anything fixed, adjusted, or replaced.
- LOADED WITH OPTIONS
...each one more troublesome than the next.
- NEVER SMOKED IN
...unfortunately, that's the best thing I can say about it.
This article is brought to you by Carhistory.com.au – Tips for Selling Your Used Car. For more information on car history and how to protect yourself when buying a used car in Australia, visit carhistory.com.au.
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