If you're selling a car, you probably have a million questions. How much money should you ask for? Is the Kelley Blue Book value a good barometer? Do you need to repair the brakes before you sell? These inquiries alone are enough to delay the process and maybe even make you rethink it in the first place.
Most of these answers will come to you with trial and error, but you don't have to wing it entirely. Here are four common questions about selling a car and how to handle them.
1. How much should you charge?
To come up with a few realistic asking prices, research the value of your vehicle by consulting KBB. On the company's website, you can plug in your car's make, model, mileage and year. Then, you'll be prompted to enter a ZIP code so that the search can take your location into consideration. Prices may vary depending on geographic information. You'll then answer a series of questions until you arrive at an estimate. If you're not convinced, you can also ask a mechanic's opinion next time you go in for a tire rotation or other service.
2. Where should you sell your car?
Once you've come up with an asking price, you still need to figure out where you'll put your car up for sale. Do you have a backyard? Can you leave it in a parking lot? Is it worth investing in flyers? According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, advertising can be as easy as placing a "for sale" sign on the windshield of the car. If you don't live in a high traffic area, consider announcing the sale in a newspaper or newsletter. You can also use online auction websites like eBay, but make sure you read the fine print first.
3. How can you get ready to sell your car?
Before passing your car onto its next owner, you should bring it in for maintenance. As the DMV stated, first impressions are everything when you're trying to make a sale. That's why you should invest in maintenance and organization. Make sure the car is spotless on the inside and shiny on the outside.
4. Should you let the buyer test drive it?
Trusting a complete stranger to take your car around the block isn't easy. However, it's likely necessary, as most people won't consider purchasing a vehicle before taking it for a spin. Of course, it's possible to encounter a buyer who shouldn't drive your car. You can reduce the risk of thefts and accidents by inspecting the other person's driver's license and ensuring that he or she hasn't had any alcoholic beverages.