How To Sell Your Car

Royce Ambrocio
ArticlesGratuits.com
April 29, 2006

Planning to sell your trusty beat-up car for much-needed cash or to simply buy a shiny new one? What do you do?

There is one important adage when it comes to selling your car:  you never get a second chance to make a great first impression.  So whether you advertise in the classified ads or trade in your vehicle to your friendly dealer, try to maximize the pesos that you put in your pocket.  Here are a few tips on what to do to.

Presentation galore

It not surprising that this rule comes first when one is selling a car.  A good wash and wax on the exterior and vacuum of the interior is probably enough for most buyers.  But it really depends on the age and condition of your vehicle.  Nobody wants to buy a car with fingerprint smudges, cigarette butts, fastfood wrappers, soda cans, and ash all over the place.

If the car you're selling is nearly new, you may want to take it to a professional detailer and have them clean the interior, exterior and engine.  It is also wise to take the car to a full-service car wash shop as an alternative to a full detail, if you're trying to save on cost.  Have the car wash shop perform some of the extra services available, such as vacuuming, wiping the interior and dressing the trim.  With a clean, shiny car, this gives the impression that the owner took care of the car well.

Damage control

Fix any broken items that are easy to replace, such as taillights and side mirrors.  You don't want to give a buyer a reason not to buy your car just because it has mismatched headlights and broken taillights.  Damages to the car's body, however, can cost you a lot.  As you will have to pay for the cost of repair, there will be less return on your investment when you sell the car.  However, you also don't want the damage to prevent you from selling the vehicle.

Be sure that repair quality is consistent too.  There's a new alternative to pukpok and masilya.  Paint-free dent repair can be a good alternative to traditional repairs for small dents and dings.  In this method, technicians use special tools to massage the dented metal back to its original position without having to paint the vehicle, and the work can usually be done in a few hours.  Cost, however, can go as low as PhP150 and up to several thousands of pesos depending on the number of dents.  Airbrush touch-up of small scratches and chips is also a good idea.

It is also advisable to replace the windshield if this is already cracked.  Talk to the experts at a windshield repair shop about whether a particular crack can be economically repaired.  The car should also have tires that have some tread life left on them.  Remember that tires must be the proper size and match for the vehicle.

Record-keeping

It is wise to have all records complete and neatly arranged for your prospective buyer.  This will instill confidence that the car has been well cared for.  There’s an advantage too if most services rendered on the car was from a casa (dealership service center).  Ask the dealer for a copy of the service history for your car.

Be objective about the condition of your car, and be honest with prospective buyers about any serious problems or repairs the new owner will have to assume.  Sell your car "as is."  You are not a dealer and you are not required to provide any type of warranty on the car.  Include a statement in your deed of sale that the car is sold "as is," and keep a copy of the deed for your records.  This could help protect you from any further liability.  Ask for payment by manager's check of bank draft to avoid the hassles that can result from a personal check or a cash transaction.

About the author or the publisher
The author has been writing professionally for 10 years now across various industries:  TV, print, advertising agency, and online media.  He has done scripts for TV, feature articles in magazines and newspapers and copywriting for consumer, tranport and service companies.  Now, he is toying with the idea of travel writing to complement his current job as a travel agent.

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