Getting Your Car Ready

Making sure your car looks its best prior to buyers coming to view it will enable you to understand what it is worth and help you sell it easily.

  • Clean it thoroughly. If a car looks the part, you are half way there for buyers’ viewing. Get it professionally cleaned otherwise or use sprays which will make it shine inside and out.
  • Clean the interior of your car. Remove all clutter and hoover it thoroughly.
  • Ensure you have got rid of all odours, like cigarette smoke, and eliminate any evidence of dog hairs.
  • If you do not want to clean the car, use a valeting service. This will probably cost you £50, however, it may be worthwhile for clinching a sale.
  • Make sure the oil is clean for when the buyer inspects the engine.
  • Should you have a prestige car, it is usually worthwhile removing any scratches and dents prior to it going up for sale. A little dent or scratch here or there is the norm for used cars. You can easily and inexpensively cover stone chips with a bit of touch up paint.
  • Get together any relevant paperwork to do with your car, including the V5C registration document, MOT certificate and servicing schedule. Should you have in your possession any receipts for work done, all the better, as that will prove you have looked after your car.
  • Remember should you have a convertible; you are more likely to shift it in the summer and get the best possible price for an off roader as winter approaches.