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Tips on how you can sell your car in a smart way
Buying a car should be a hustle-free process that should be guided by engine size, fuel consumption, cost, body shape and brand. File photo
What you need to know:
Sometimes we come to a point when we have to sell off the car. However, selling one’s car should not be a daunting task as has been the case with some people. Although there is no text book format on selling one’s car quickly, here are some guidelines that can come in handy to closing a good deal.
Selling a car is really not as easy as it sounds. If you are thinking about selling your car, the first thing you will want to know is how much your car is worth. There are a variety of sources you can go to, including local newspapers, bonds, colleagues and online,to find out the rough value of your car in terms of make, model and year. Car advertisements will give you an idea of how much similar cars are selling.
Choose format of the sale
Decide if you are going to trade your car for a new one or if you want to sell it outright. Trading a car for another is becoming a popular trend in Uganda. Most importantly, it is cheaper than utter purchase of a car from scratch. The problem is that you may not have much choice. If you are selling a car, it is advisable to make sure that you have a registration document or a copy of it with you as it is a good indicator that you are the owner and the car hasn’t been stolen or has a list of problems such as debtors and the like associated with it. If you have lost the original, you can always apply for a replacement at the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
If you sell your car yourself, you will almost certainly receive more money from it. A broker has to be confident that he will be able to sell it at a profit, so he is likely to offer you less than it is actually worth. However, it will take more of your time and be a hassle than having a broker sell it for you. Think about whether you need to sell the car quickly or whether you have the time and inclination to field lots of phone calls and non-buyers.
Comfort the prospective buyer
Keep in mind that when you sell your car, people will also be evaluating you. They will be thinking something like; “This is the person who’s owned this car for the past few years. Do I trust him/her?”
Make the buyers feel comfortable. They will probably be uneasy about making a big decision and spending money. Put them at ease and answer their questions openly. Potential buyers will want to test-drive the car. Ride along with them so you can answer any questions about the car’s history and performance. There are many unexpected bumps in the road that can arise while selling a used car. These will be handled easily if you are dealing with a reasonable person.
So, as prospective buyers contact you, use your intuition to evaluate them. If they seem difficult, pushy or even shady, wait for another potential buyer. With the right person, selling a used car should be simple.
Make your car look worthy
Get your car into the best possible shape, both inside and out. When people come to look at your car, they will probably make up their minds to buy it or not within the first few minutes. This is based on their first impression of the car so you would probably want this first look to give a positive image. Make sure it is washed and clean. Make sure your car is both mechanically sound and free from huge dents.
Consider making low-cost repairs yourself rather than selling it “as is.” Throw out all the junk from inside of the car. When prospective buyers go for a test-drive, you don’t want them to feel like they have walked into your messy bedroom.
Do service it
Let them visualise the car as theirs. If the car needs servicing or even a routine oil change, take care of that before putting it up for sale. Emphasize the car’s best features.
Mention its ‘selling’ points
Don’t forget to mention any extras that will be popular with potential buyers, such as availability of spare parts, sunroofs, in-car entertainment system and so on. If it hasn’t done much mileage, say so. Consider and mention whether it is particularly reliable or very economical on fuel. If you are stuck, try to think what attracted you to the car when you bought it, chances are it will be the same things that make it attractive now.
Don’t embarass yourself
If the car is no longer in daily use, make sure you take it for a drive on a regular basis. You don’t want to have any trouble getting it to start when you have got a prospective buyer ready to take it for a test-drive. Principally, always have an absolute lowest price in mind, and stick to that.
Mode of payment
You may have to negotiate a little, but never go below what you really want. Finally and probably most importantly, payment. Cash is always good, a bank draft is a reasonable alternative as it is as good as cash.
If you are accepting a cheque, do not hand over the keys until the cheque has matured. If they are a genuine buyer, they won’t mind waiting a few extra days. The basic rule of thumb is, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
