So, it’s time to sell your vehicle or ATV (all-terrain vehicle), and patience isn’t one of your strong points. Whether you’re downsizing, going bigger or just simply ready to move on, you’re ready to have the cash in your hand.
My husband and I change vehicles every two or three years. I simply get bored easily, and my husband eventually finds a need for an even bigger truck. Needless to say, we have become pretty good at selling our vehicles. We have never accepted less money than what we wanted and have always sold them for more than what we bought them for. By following these simple tips, you too could be well on your way to having cash in your hand, in half the time.
Save all paper records and receipts, proving all the work you did or had done on the vehicle. My husband and I keep an envelope for each vehicle, starting the day we buy it, and save all the paperwork that pertains to it – receipts of new windshield wiper blades, brake pads, door lock switches, timing belts, oil changes, etc. This not only shows your buyer some honesty, it also gives them dates and part numbers for future replacements. Make it shine like a new penny. First appearance is more than 80 percent of what sells a vehicle or ATV. This includes under and between seats, finder-wheels, headliners, undercarriage, etc. Shine up the dash, door panels and consoles. Clean all the mirrors and windows. And if the seats, or any other parts are leather, be sure to condition those with a leather cleaner/conditioner. Wash and wax the exterior, shine the tires and rims and blacken all black surfaces with Armor-all or something equivalent. Eliminate odors. This includes smoke, pets, overpowering perfumes and cleaners. Do simple, inexpensive maintenance. Change the oil, replace wiper blades, add windshield washing fluid, etc. This will show potential buyers that your vehicle was maintained and cared for. Price it right. No one likes to deal with anyone they think is greedy or ridiculous. Do your research and find comparable vehicles and what they sold for or what they are being asked for. Try to price your vehicle in the “middle” of every one else’s. Important: Always ask at least $500 more than you actually want to make. Everyone likes to negotiate and no one likes to pay sticker price. Advertise, advertise, advertise! Find a well-traveled area to park your vehicle for show. The more people who see it, the more exposure it will get and create a word-of-mouth situation. Place an ad or two. Many towns have small, local papers that will either advertise for free or for a small fee. Take out the guesswork. Print out a list of all the pros and cons and NEVER lie about a problem or issue your vehicle is having; 2005 Ford Mustang with 30,000 miles, new tires, one owner, garage kept, new brakes, etc…. Needs front rotors, rear defrost doesn’t work, slight tear in the front seat, etc…. Call Jane Doe at 887-997-3748 (No calls after 8 p.m., please)… Be sure to include, “I Have All The Papers To Prove It,” and tape a list on the driver and passenger windows.
Note: You will almost always get more money selling it yourself than you will ever get from a dealer or trade-in.