• The cleaner, the better: Get polishing and shining. If you are trying to sell your car, be sure that the vehicle is as clean and as presentable as possible.
• Get your facts straight: Before meeting with a possible buyer, be sure to have all the necessary facts and information about your vehicle ready. These include the availability of the vehicle’s spare key, its service history and paperwork like invoices and registration document.
• Do your homework: It is imperative to know what your car is worth, so do some research. Determine what other similar vehicles are selling for at various dealerships to help you generate a selling price in the right price bracket. Keep in mind that you might not get as much for your vehicle at the price at which dealerships are selling as they often include additional servicing costs in their selling prices.
Be realistic and do not set your selling price too high or too low. If your selling price is too low, your vehicle will be sold straight away, and you may regret getting too little. If your selling price is too high, you won’t find much interest and you will waste your time and eventually become frustrated.
It’s a big bad world out there with dishonest people taking advantage of a seller’s possible innocence, ignorance and naiveté when trying to sell a vehicle.
• Beware of scamsters: When advertising your vehicle, someone may claim they have a buyer for your vehicle only to fill their inventory and present your vehicle as stock on their floor. After eventually receiving a low offer from one of their interested buyers, you might become frustrated, as your car and your car’s paperwork is already with them.
• Never let it go: Never part with your car before money from the buyer has cleared in your account – it is imperative to make sure funds are cleared.
• Consider a reputable car buying service: Do not allow someone whom you don’t know or trust to meet up with you or test drive your vehicle. Prioritise your safety and rather make use of a reputable car buying service.
If you are looking to sell your vehicle, it is important to ensure all the paperwork is dealt with correctly and in a legal matter.
• When selling a financed vehicle: As a legal requirement, a vehicle that is still under finance should be settled before selling.
• Change of ownership: It is important to take care of the notice of change of ownership (NCO) when selling your car to prevent receiving parking tickets and speeding fines on a vehicle you no longer own or operate.
• “Voetstoots?”: A buyer may have unrealistic expectations when buying your vehicle and hold you responsible for repairs afterwards. Make sure you limit your responsibility in writing when selling your vehicle privately.
