The Checklist
Now that you’re squared away on that front with your decision made on how to sell, there are a few key steps you need to account for.
1. Clean the darn thing, inside and out. Remove any trash, vacuum the floors. Make it as presentable as possible. Especially if you’re aiming for a private sale, you’ll want to consider paying to have it professionally detailed to look as pristine as possible.
2. Collect your paperwork. This pertains to finding that vehicle manual, which will hopefully still be sitting in the glovebox, to your service records, which will affirm to prospective buyers that you’ve been properly maintaining it over the years. You will also need your vehicle title, vehicle history report, warranty documents, registration, and insurance information.
3. Inspection. You need to ensure your car is operating at its best, that its tires aren’t about to wear thin or the engine isn’t above to give out. If you haven’t taken your car in recently, this is an added step which will verify the quality of your car to potential buyers. It will also give you a realistic picture of the money you may need to invest in repairs in order to sell it at a good rate – and whether the effort is worth it.
4. Appraisal. Whether you’re selling it on your own or through the dealership, this is highly recommended to understand the market rate of your car. Beyond doing your online research, it helps to have a professional gage its worth. Your car’s condition and mileage may vary, for better or worse, from similar options you’ve seen pricing for online. Ultimately, this will help you set a benchmark.
5. Discontinue your digital and financial footprint with your car. Cancel your satellite radio subscription, and remove your phone from the Bluetooth. If you still owe towards your loan for the car, you’ll have to discuss options with your lender. In this case, it may take some time to sort out before you can officially sell.
6. Going on Your Own? In the end, should you opt to sell yourself, there are a few last steps:
• You’ll need to draft the bill of sale with your vehicle number, model, make, year, etc., as well as a generic odometer discloser statement. This is a reminder to check your state’s requirements, as they do vary.
• You’ll need to take high quality photos and videos for your online ad, that you will need to then create.
• You should research consumer trends, for certain vehicles are in-demand at different times of the year.
• You may even want to make a for sale sign to highlight in a window, as you continue driving it around.
• You will need as-is documentation to affirm that the buyer is fully responsible for the vehicle moving forward. You don’t want to be on the line, if something gives out in the first month or two.
