Changing cars is an experience that many people go through every five to ten years. For many of us, cars are necessary tools for everyday life, but unfortunately even the best cars have a limited lifespan. When a car is old and often requires expensive repairs, almost everyone tries to sell it or scrap it at a dealer. After some time, they will have to look for a new car and resume the cycle from the beginning.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Method 1 of 3: Private Sale of Your Old Car
Step 1. Learn everything there is to know about the car you own
To provide the customer with all the information they need, you need to be informed. Make sure you find the vehicle registration document, the MOT coupons and the documents of the original purchase. Thanks to those cards, you will allow the potential buyer to make a reasoned decision.
- Also find out the year of manufacture, make, model, mileage and special features of your car.
- Receipts for oil changes are also very important. Thanks to them you will prove that the car has been properly maintained, increasing its value.
Step 2. Set a price for the car
The best way to do this is a search on Quattroruote. Almost certainly, the potential buyer will also be aware of that amount, so the price cannot be much higher. If you choose a price close to that suggested by Quattroruote, you will be able to sell your car in a short time, because the buyers will know that your offer is honest.
- Many owners believe they can sell their car for a higher than real value; consider this aspect. If you set a selling price too high, you probably won't be able to get rid of your vehicle. You can have the car inspected by an expert to get a clear idea of what it's worth.
- Consider psychology. Many products have prices ending in the 99 or 95 digits, because people are more likely to buy them. Try this trick when choosing the price of your car.
- Increase the selling price if the car is still under warranty or if it has new tires.
- Set a lower price if you want to sell the car quickly.
- Include negotiation space in the price. In other words, set a price slightly higher than what you are willing to accept.
Step 3. Create an ad or sell your car on the internet
An advertisement is the best way to let potential customers know that you are selling a car. You can choose an ad or consider selling the car online. Websites like eBay and Quattroruote have sections dedicated to used vehicles.
Your listing should contain your contact information, up to 15 photos of the car, your comments on what makes the vehicle unique and the most important details, such as price, mileage and features. An ad with the information listed above will tell potential customers everything they need to know
Step 4. Show off the car and yourself
When potential buyers come to see your car, it's your time to make a great impression. Buyers want to buy a car from a responsible and honest person, so make sure you make that impression. Offer a test drive and, before doing so, ask the buyer if he has a valid driving license. Be aware that some buyers may want to have the car checked by a mechanic. If you have conducted a pre-inspection, you can present your test results to alleviate their concerns. If not, it is a reasonable request.
Always evaluate potential buyers before showing them your car. Try to figure out what kind of people they are on the phone, and if they seem suspicious to you, don't do business with them
Step 5. Sell the car
Be prepared to negotiate the final price. Before you sit down at the negotiating table, you should decide what the lowest price you are willing to accept is. Be prepared to decline offers below that amount.
Step 6. Conclude the sale and sign an official deed
To prevent any scam, you should go to the bank with the buyer to receive a cashier's check. You will also need to draw up a bill of sale, which should include a description of the vehicle and its VIN number, the warranties you have established in agreement with the buyer, the final price, the names and signatures of the parties involved.
- Call the local DMV to see if any other documents are needed.
- Don't forget to stop your car insurance.
- Remove all your belongings from the car.
Method 2 of 3: Method 2 of 3: Swap Your Old Car
Step 1. Remember that you have other options than just selling your car to a private individual
Although a direct sale usually allows you to earn 15-20% more than other options and gives you the ability to negotiate with buyers firsthand, it is a complex operation. The exchange, on the other hand, is very convenient. You will get rid of the vehicle quickly, you will not have to receive e-mails and phone calls about your car.
Step 2. Research the value of your car before going to the dealer
Remember that car sellers are likely to have more negotiating experience than you. It is important to know exactly how much your car is worth before negotiating, to get the most out of it.
- You can check the value of your car on Quattroruote.
- Experts suggest coming to the dealer with a written appraisal, drawn up by an expert.
Step 3. Take the car to the dealer and get the best possible price
When you start discussing the trade with the sales manager, start by saying you've done some research and know the value of the car. You should also show him the maintenance logs. If your car has been maintained regularly, the value of the exchange will increase.
Step 4. Avoid making mistakes
Experts suggest that it is not worth having all the dents and scratches on the car repaired before exchanging it. Also, avoid washing the car before taking it to the dealership, as this would give the signal that you are ready to buy a new car, giving the seller an advantage during the negotiation.
Method 3 of 3: Method 3 of 3: Buy Your New Car
Step 1. Start by making a list of your needs
Do you place greater importance on style, low fuel consumption, interior, safety, emissions or price? Write all of these factors in order of importance. Creating your priority list will help you, because you know exactly what to look for.
Step 2. Start looking for cars that meet your needs
Visit the websites of the best car brands and see which models they have to offer. You can consider Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Ford, Opel, Volkswagen, Honda, Peugeot, Renault, Volvo and many others. Remember that not all brands produce cars that are right for you, but almost all will have one.
Step 3. Decide whether to buy a used or new car
This decision is personal. Consider that both options have their points in favor. Experts suggest asking yourself a few questions to find out which car is right for you.
- If you are thinking about a used car, consider whether you can afford any maintenance and repair costs. Also, do you have the opportunity to face a few days without a car?
- If you are thinking of buying a new car, ask yourself if you have enough cash or an adequate value bargaining chip to pay the down payment. Also consider whether you are willing to face the cost of car depreciation, because new cars lose value as soon as you take them from the dealer.
Step 4. Narrow down the list and see the cars for yourself
Try to make a list of 2-3 cars that meet your needs. Do your research to find the nearest dealerships that sell those models and spend a day studying the cars. Talk to the sales manager and be sure to test the machine. Thanks to these steps you will have all the information you need to conclude the best purchase.
When testing a car, remember that you will spend a lot of time in the car. Ask yourself the following questions: Are the controls simple to use (is it easy to steer and shift gears)? Are the seats comfortable and support your back? Do the air conditioning and heating work well? Is the stereo quality and does it work with your phone or mp3 player? Is the car powerful enough to run smoothly on the motorway? How do you tackle the curves? How is the visibility? Does it make too much noise?
Step 5. Think, make your decision and get the best price
A car is a very important purchase, so take your time before proceeding. When it's time to close the deal, you need to know how much the car you're buying is worth and get the most out of the car you're giving back. Always ask if discounts are available, as dealerships often offer them to students, military, etc.
It is best to buy at the end of the month, because the dealers receive monthly incentives from the manufacturers
Step 6. Avoid paying in cash if you don't have a clear advantage in doing so
Dealers prefer to offer you financing, so you may get a better price with this payment option. Talk to your bank in advance to get the credit line needed to pay for the car approved and to know exactly how much cash you have.
Step 7. Watch out for "tricks"
Salespeople employ many strategies to "rip off" customers. They will try to make you focus on the monthly payment, while you should pay attention to the total price of the car. They may also value your car too low. If you are well informed, you will be able to get the most out of the negotiation.
Advice
- If your car has some defects that you can easily fix, try to do it. Believe it or not, this can increase the sale price of the car if you go to a private individual. Think about what improvements you can make, such as repairing the headlights, removing nicks from the windshield and changing tires.
- If you want to get the most out of your current car, which you have decided to give back to the dealer, compare the exchange value with the retail value on Quattroruote.
- Consider whether you can offload VAT on the purchase of the new car. If you are buying a company car, you can save a lot thanks to this advice.
- Do you want to buy the car or lease it? Thanks to a lease you can drive luxury cars without spending too much, you can change cars after a few years and you will not have the problem of selling your vehicle once the contract is over. With the purchase you have more flexibility, the costs are lower in the long term and you have no penalties if you use the vehicle for many kilometers.
- Consider wisely how much you can afford to spend. Buy a car with the total price in mind, not the monthly price.
- Talk to your insurer to find out how much the new insurance will cost you.
