Do’s and Don’ts When Selling a Car
Do’s and Don’ts When Selling Your Car in Holly Springs, GA
Here at Cherokee County Nissan, we understand that navigating the minutiae of selling your car can get overwhelming. That’s why we wanted to share some do’s and don’ts you can use as a guide to swiftly maneuver through the process. Continue reading to learn some tips on how to conduct a seamless transaction with your buyer!
DO: Find Out Your Vehicle’s Value
Having a complete understanding of your vehicle’s market value is crucial to price it accurately for sale. You don’t want to risk pricing your car inaccurately and then fall short on the final payout. Third-party websites like Kelley Blue Book® or Edmunds are great resources that are easily accessible and provide accurate estimates for your particular model. Simply enter the vehicle’s year, make and model to receive an online appraisal.
When you receive your first offer from a potential buyer, don’t forget to compare it to the online appraisal you were quoted. If it’s lower than what your online estimate states, never settle for what the buyer wants. Always remember — you can walk away at any time! There’s someone out there who will pay the right price for your ride.
Another great way to say goodbye to your model and hello to new car savings is by conducting a trade at a dealership! Make sure you visit multiple dealers to collect different quotes in order to uncover the best possible offer. Cherokee County Nissan provides a handy-dandy online trade appraisal tool you can utilize from the comfort of your home.
DO: Put Your Vehicle in the Spotlight
It’s your ride’s time to shine — pull out all the stops to make it look its very best! Take the time to wash and detail the interior and exterior of your vehicle and remove any customizations (like stickers and decals) before showcasing it. The goal here is to revert it back to its original state as much as possible! If you decide to list your car online, make sure to include a detailed description so that the vehicle’s condition is crystal clear for the prospective buyer.
DON’T: Overdo the Repairs
In theory, it sounds like a good idea to put all your effort into repairing your car before you sell it. However, this is not the right approach. Just ensure that all standard routine maintenance is completed — this includes changing the oil, rotating the tires and inspecting the battery. These are small issues that you can take off the next owner’s plate. Conversely, major repairs such as engine or transmission replacements can get burdensome on your finances. As a result, you could breakeven and lose on the profit of the final sale.
DON’T: Conceal Information from Potential Buyers
The worst thing you can do when you sell your car is to conceal information from the buyer about the condition of the vehicle. Omitting this crucial information may help you hype up your ride to potential buyers, but it can be extremely misleading. Include details on what repairs are needed when you list the model online or meet someone in person. Also, make sure your price reflects the true condition of your ride, as well. If you list the vehicle with “limited-time availability” and it’s simply not true, you’ll appear desperate. If the truth comes out, your reputation may be tainted according to the buyer moving forward.
DO: Provide Records
Reassure prospective buyers with service records that clearly state what maintenance and repairs have been completed for the vehicle you're selling. You want to provide this documentation especially if there were major repairs done. Not sure where to pull this information? Simply visit CARFAX® and input your car’s VIN to get a comprehensive paper trail on the service history of your ride.
DO: Complete All the Paperwork
Once you’re ready to seal the deal with a buyer, don’t overlook any important paperwork. These documents differ state to state, so check with your local DMV on exactly what you need to correctly transfer title ownership and release liability once the sale is finalized. Don’t forget that you and the buyer have to complete the necessary paperwork in order for the sale to be valid. If this is not done, then you may still end up as the sole person responsible for future repairs if the buyer gets into an accident. Prevent this from being an issue by scheduling a convenient time for the both of you to meet up and sign the documents together. Or remove this hassle altogether by bringing your car to our dealership — we’ll handle all the tedious paperwork for you!
If you have any questions about what you need to do before selling or trading in a car, please feel free to contact us or stop by Cherokee County Nissan at 101 Harbor Creek Pkwy, Holly Springs, GA 30115 . We look forward to serving our customers from Canton, Woodstock, Kennesaw and Marietta.