Do’s and Don’ts When Selling a Car
Do’s and Don’ts When Selling Your Car in Shawnee, OK
Planning on selling your car in the near future? Joe Cooper Chevrolet Cadillac is here to help! Selling a vehicle is not always easy or seamless, but there are steps you can take (and steps you can avoid) that can help you achieve a positive outcome. Whether you're planning on selling your vehicle to an individual or selling it to a dealership, we've provided a few tips for you to review before you begin the process. Check out our list of do's and don'ts to help ensure the success of your sale!
The first step requires some research on your part. It's important to have an accurate idea of what your vehicle may be worth before you try to sell it — after all, you want to get as much for it as possible. A great place to start your research is Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds. Here at Joe Cooper Chevrolet Cadillac, we provide a TradePending tool for our customers to use in order to value their trade. TradePending provides insight into your vehicle's estimated value using three key factors: supply, value and demand.
When you do get an offer, don't rush to accept it, especially if the offer is lower than what the research says your vehicle is worth. You can present the potential buyer with the estimated price that's backed by your research. If they won't accept that, then you can wait and find another buyer who will pay more. If you're planning on selling or trading in your vehicle at a dealership, shop around to see where you can get the best offer, since you may not get the same offer from every dealership.
Now for some prep work. You'll want to make sure that your vehicle is looking its best before you sell it. Give its exterior a wash and wax for starters, then clean and vacuum the interior, removing any personal items. This will make a great first impression, both in person and in online pictures. In addition, take some time to write a detailed description of your vehicle that highlights its features if posting online.
While getting your vehicle ready to sell is an important step, don't take it too far. If you think that you should have a lot of work done on your vehicle before you sell it, think again. Simple maintenance like an oil change or a tire rotation or small repairs may be beneficial in adding value (and appeal) to your vehicle, but you don't want to end up spending more on major repairs and replacements than it's worth.
Don't lie about the condition of your vehicle or omit information about defects. Be open about repairs that your vehicle may need (if any), both in your online description and in person. Your asking price should also reflect your vehicle's condition. Lastly, don't make it sound like you have other offers pending if you don't or tell a potential buyer that your vehicle will only be available for a limited time if that's not true. This may make you appear desperate and lead to negative interactions.
Your vehicle may appear even more appealing to potential buyers if you have service records that provide insight into how the vehicle was treated in the past and that show if it has had any major repairs. This can help potential buyers feel more confident as they move forward with their purchase. If you can, provide a CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™ as well.
While this isn't the most enjoyable part of the process, filling out the paperwork is the final step of selling your vehicle. Because forms will differ depending on the state, be sure that you obtain all the correct forms in order to transfer the title to the new owner and release you from liability once you've sold your vehicle. If you're not sure what forms you need, you can check with your DMV. You'll have to make sure that the buyer completes their end of the paperwork as well.
Want to avoid the hassle of selling the car yourself? There's a simple solution: Sell or trade it here at Joe Cooper Chevrolet Cadillac! We'll make the process fast and seamless, helping you complete the necessary steps in as little time as possible. Get started by finding out how much your vehicle may be worth today!
If you have further questions, don't hesitate to let us know! We'd love to hear from you. Feel free to contact us online, give us a call or come see us in person at 4920 N Auto Mall Drive, Shawnee, OK 74804. We're located near Oklahoma City, Norman and Moore, and we look forward to helping you with all of your automotive needs!