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Whether you’re looking to make a bit of extra money, have recently purchased a new vehicle or simply no longer require your motor in your day-to-day life, there are a whole host of reasons why you might be considering selling a car.
Once you’ve made the decision to sell, there are a number of things you must do to prepare the vehicle.
With this in mind, the team at The Windscreen Company has put together a comprehensive guide outlining what to do before selling your car.
The absolute bare minimum a potential buyer will expect is that the car is clean and tidy. Even tidying a glove box or clearing any rubbish out of the side doors can go a long way in the mind of a prospective buyer, so be sure to give your car a good clean and perhaps a wash before you you’ve put it on the market.
Floor mats and car seats are two areas that usually require the most attention. Use a vacuum to remove any debris or crumbs that may have found their way into the vehicle.
If you want to go the extra mile, you could also use a bristle brush to remove dirt off of wheels and hang an air freshener to give the vehicle a pleasant aroma.
One of your main priorities when looking to sell your car is to get any repairs or cosmetic work done. You’ll need your car in the best condition if you’re to entice a buyer and, after all, would you buy a car if it needed repairs?
Check everything is working, including headlights, wipers, wheels, air conditioning and more. If anything isn’t quite right, get it fixed. Your only alternative is to be upfront and honest with prospective buyers about the work needed when selling.
One of the main things you should focus on is windscreens. A windscreen is one of the most fundamental parts of any vehicle, and if it’s sustained any scratches, chips or cracks you must get it fixed as soon as possible.
Contact a reputable organisation, like The Windscreen Company, and they’ll be able to take care of any repairs or windscreen replacements that are necessary.
Also, make sure all of your vehicle’s fluids are topped up and at the correct levels. This includes:
Car ownership comes with paperwork, and when looking to sell your vehicle it’s important to gather as much of this paperwork as possible. Having this paperwork available will instil confidence in a prospective buyer that you’re selling the car legitimately.
This paperwork can include purchase receipts, past MOT certificates, any forms from past services and repairs and more.
Don’t allow photographs of these documents to be taken before you’ve officially sold the car, and only hand over any documents after a sale has taken place.
When thinking about selling your car, you should always check the vehicle’s most recent MOT status.
If there are less than three months remaining on your MOT, you should consider renewing it early. Having an up-to-date MOT can add value to your vehicle and help you iron out any issues before a sale. Plus, the longer the MOT of a vehicle, the more attractive it is to a buyer.
Once you’ve got your car looking its best and all of the paperwork is in order, it’s time to get a valuation. There are a number of ways to get your car valued online, with many reputable dealerships happy to provide you with a price.
Factors such as mileage, age and the type of car you’re selling will have a big impact on its overall value.
Once you have this, you can begin advertising your car. These days, most people will use online platforms to advertise vehicles they’re looking to sell. Make sure to include as much information as possible in the advert. This is your chance to showcase why someone should buy your vehicle, and if you don’t provide enough information, no one is likely to enquire further.
Once you receive an offer that you’re happy with, it’s important the payment is processed in the right and proper way.
Before the buyer drives away in the car, it’s worth drawing up a contract and receipt to ensure you’re protected. You can find templates online to help with this.
When drawing up these documents, make sure to do the following:
After the sale has been completed, there are a few things you still need to do. First, let the DVLA know as soon as possible that the car has been sold. The quickest way is to visit their website and complete the relevant forms. However, you can also mail them directly at DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BD.
You should also complete your vehicle’s logbook. If the car is remaining in the UK, both parties should sign the declaration and you need to give the buyer the green ‘new keeper’ slip.
However, if you know the buyer is planning to take the car out of the country, you need to fill in the permanent export section of the logbook. Then, give the rest of the logbook to the new buyer so they can register the vehicle in the new country.
At The Windscreen Company, we provide leading windscreen repairs and replacement services that can help get your car in the best condition if you’re looking to sell it. Operating across the West Midlands and the South East, get in touch with The Windscreen Company today to find out how we can help you.
The Windscreen Company, has over 20 years of experience in windscreen repair and replacement. Since 1998, they have been at the forefront of industry innovation, leveraging the latest technology to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.
The Windscreen Company's, help-and-advice pages offer valuable tips and guidance on maintaining vehicle safety through quality windscreen care, while also featuring updated industry realted content.
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The Windscreen Company is a registered company in England.
Registered Number: 3545701 VAT Number: 720 0628 78
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