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When you are selling a used car you’ll want to get the most money possible for it, and you’ll be amazed at just how much more you can get for it with a little effort. People buy with their eyes, so making sure the car looks appealing is a really good idea. Making sure you advertise it in the right places is a good idea too – always include a picture and give all the information you can to avoid getting enquiries from people who are looking for something different than you offer. When those calls start to come in, you’ll want the car to be in tip top condition for the viewings. Here are our tips on how to prepare a car for sale:

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Clean as a Whistle

The single most important thing you can do to make your car look more attractive is to give it a thorough clean. It’s often worth paying for it to be professionally cleaned so that the job is done to the highest standards. Make sure the car is washed and waxed, the wheels are scrubbed and the windows are cleaned beautifully. The interior needs just as much attention – a thorough vacuum is essential and you should wipe down the dashboard and any other parts with a wet sponge before drying it off. Put an air freshener in to make the car smell as clean as possible, and make sure the car is completely free of garbage. If you can, you should avoid driving the car once it is clean otherwise all of your efforts will go to waste.

Basic Repairs

The buyer will be keen to know the car’s history so make sure you have all the repair receipts to hand. Check that all the tires have enough tread on them, and if there are any little things wrong with the car then get them fixed. Be as honest as you can be about any major problems that need attention, but also be prepared for these to bring the asking price down. Have all the registration and servicing documents to hand along with any spare keys or parts. It’s well worth getting little problems fixed up as it won’t cost a lot and will give the buyer fewer things to barter on. Book it into a garage and give them a list of all the things you want looking at.

Top Up the Levels

When you are selling a car you should always make sure that the oil levels are good. It’s also worth checking that the brake fluid is topped up, the window washing liquid is full and that there is plenty of fuel in the tank.

When you are selling a car, think about what you would be looking for if you were the buyer. A clean, shiny, well-kept car with full documentation and an honest owner are things that every buyer wants, so get your car scrubbed up to the condition that you’d expect yourself. You could even consider giving it a re-spray if you want it to look really pristine!