Man instpecting underneath a car
10 June 2015

5 Things to Do Before Selling a Car

Man instpecting underneath a carSo you’ve decided to sell your car. Don’t know what the next step is? Not to worry; we’ve created a checklist of the top 5 things to do before selling a car. Read on to learn more about how to sell your car with ease.

1. Be aware of the state’s requirements regarding transfers.

Before selling a car, you’ll want to know what paperwork needs to be filled out and at what point in the process. Additionally, you’ll want to look into the requirements for handling license plates when selling a car. If your state requires new license plates during a title transfer and you don’t remove the plates, you can still get a ticket for any driving mistakes the new owner makes.

2. Be sure you have the car title.

The last thing you want to happen when you’re about to close the deal on a car is to realize you can’t complete the sale. Make sure you have the car title ready before you list the car for sale. If you do not have the title or cannot find it, order a duplicate title if necessary.

For more information on selling a car in the state of Minnesota, visit the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s website.

3. Get your car inspected.

You may want to order a vehicle history report and/or gather maintenance records on the car. You’ll also want to get your car inspected to be sure everything is running as it should. If you’re aware of any faults, you’ll have more power when it comes to negotiations.

4. Restore your car back to a like-new condition.

Keep in mind that car preparation is one of the most important aspects to selling a car, especially if you want to sell quickly and at a great price. While you could wash and clean your car by yourself, we recommend taking it in to get professionally cleaned—especially if you’ve never done so.

You may want to look into car detailing and/or car reconditioning. Car detailing involves a deep cleaning of the interior and exterior of your car. Car reconditioning involves more restorative measures. The process may include paint chip repairs, trim restoration, upholstery/carpet repairs, headlight restoration, and more.

5. Create a well-planned advertisement.

The first step to a good car advertisement is to get high-quality photos of your car. After it has been cleaned and restored, you’ll want to take pictures of the car’s interior and exterior. Compare prices on Kelley Blue Book (KBB) or Craigslist to get an idea of the value of your car. Also, be sure to proofread your description to make sure it’s easy to read and honest. Double-check the price you have listed to avoid any discrepancies with a potential buyer.

Selling a car can take a lot of work. Should you need help selling a car, our car experts can assist with analysis, evaluation, preparation, and the actual selling process. Click below to learn more about how easy the process of selling a car through Carcierge can be.

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