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No matter how and where you sell your car, there are a few tips you can follow to maximize your return. First, make certain your car looks good. Wash it, wax it and do all you can to give it great "curb appeal." You want the prospective buyer — be it an individual or a dealer — to want that car. Looks matter.
If your car has obvious mechanical problems, you need to address those either by getting them fixed or simply pointing them out to the prospective buyer. While a private party might want a car that has no problems at all — don't we all? — dealers will typically expect the car to have some mechanical issues. The fact is, they have the ability to repair those faults much less expensively than you do, and they expect to do some vehicle prep before they retail the car on their lot. So, if you are going to sell your car to a dealer it is much less important that the vehicle is in near-perfect condition.
Potential buyers want to be reassured that they aren't about to purchase a vehicle that will turn out to be lemon. One way you can offer that reassurance is by showing the vehicle's maintenance records. If you have maintained your car meticulously and, importantly, have kept those records, show them to prospective buyers. Many people will be impressed by the proper treatment of your vehicle.
If you intend to sell your vehicle to a dealer, it isn't wise to take the first offer you are given unless it is right on the money based on what you believe your car is worth. Many times, if you get an offer from a dealer, it will be good for a period of time. You can use that time to "shop" your car to other dealers and even private parties to see if someone will beat that price.
These days there are plenty of places to advertise vehicles for sale online (like NamAuto). When you advertise your car, you want to put its best tire forward in the form of excellent photos and a good description. Take some time to park your car with a neutral background and in shade or soft light (as at dusk) that shows your car to the best advantage in your photos. Similarly, write a description of the car telling the prospective buyer about its best features.
Personal meetings can be problematic. If you are going to meet someone to give them a look at your vehicle, do it in the safest manner possible, meeting during the day at a public place that is frequented by other people. Feel free to ask the prospective buyer how they plan to pay for the car to make certain that they are serious. If you have any questions about them, don't meet with them. There are other buyers out there.
If you decide to sell your vehicle to an individual, accept only cash or a cashier's check in payment. You are wise to close the transaction at the bank that issued the cashier's check. Never accept a personal check under any circumstances. Once you have made certain that the cashier's check is good, you can sign over the title of the car to the buyer and let them take possession of the car.
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