How to sell your car to a private individual at the best price? Discover the top 5 tips for making a successful sale quickly and easily! These are all the steps you should take to sell your vehicle to an individual. Road test, administrative documents, or payments. Follow the guidelines for a safe sale.
The Law and Hidden Defects
Many laws stipulate that in the event of a sale, the seller is responsible to the buyer for any hidden defects that can cancel the process of buying if the buyer knew about these defects.
The buyer can request the cancellation of the sale if he notices any hidden defects. These defects must affect the car being sold in such a way that it is not able to perform as it should.
For his part, the seller can partially protect himself when reselling a car to a private individual by indicating in the contract that the vehicle is sold “as is, and without warranty.” If the car breaks down a few months after the transfer, the buyer will not be able to turn against the seller.
Showcase Your Car
The vehicle must look good. You are much more likely to sell a perfectly clean car than one that has not been vacuumed.
- Ensure the interior and exterior of the vehicle is detailed
- Polish the body
- Check the condition of the tires
- Make sure the car is working properly
However, avoid crude staging, which will not deceive informed buyers. As long as you are not trying to defraud the other person, you have nothing to worry about. It’s best to stay legal and not make your vehicle look better than it is. It is important to gain the trust of a buyer when selling your car to an individual because it is easier to negotiate.
Keep the Maintenance Log
Directly provided by the manufacturer, the vehicle maintenance log is a document that contains technical advice to ensure efficiency.
The log allows you to organize the maintenance of your car. As there are several vehicle models with different types of engines (gasoline or diesel), each car maintenance book is drawn up according to the specifics of each car.
Car maintenance concerns all operations like checking the vehicle condition in all its forms (engine, steering, transmission, braking, electricity, cooling, exhaust, pneumatic, and suspension).
It’s worth noting that the number of pre-owners causes a big drop in the price of your car. Besides, it can cause the loss of the maintenance log.
Test Drive
The sale of cars between individuals is a delicate operation. Test drive is crucial to detect the slightest mechanical defects. Impeccable bodywork can also hide tired mechanics. The buyer may also choose to drive on different types of roads.
Do not ever refuse a test drive, or else the buyer will think that you have something to hide from them, such as a noisy engine, a slipping clutch, a rusty gearbox, or difficult braking. To sell your car to a private individual, put the odds in your favor.
Nevertheless, choose a neutral place to carry out the test. Don’t make the appointment close to your house. Remember! The road to hell is full of good intentions.
Administrative Procedures
When you sell your car to a private individual, the administrative costs are on the seller. You better take care of paperwork shortly after the sale to avoid bad events. Because, if the buyer causes damage to the vehicle, and you are still the owner, legally you will be responsible for any accidents or damage.
Of course, there are car dealerships that can help you evaluate your car and take care of the paperwork.
Ensure Secure Payment
When selling your car between private individuals, payment must be made quickly and securely. No matter how much confidence you may have in the person, it is best to proceed with the transaction directly.
- Payment by check: this kind of payment is particularly popular for large sums because it can be done directly. However, it carries dangers such as an unsupported account or even a stolen checkbook. The alternative is to obtain a cashier’s check, which advantage is to assure the creditor of the payment of the amount owed.
- Cash payment: the other preferred method of paying is in cash. For greater security, the transaction should be finalized at the seller’s bank branch.
During these hard times of COVID-19, it seems the market of used cars is flourishing. And the prices are going through ups and downs due to the law of supply and demand. So whether you are a seller or a buyer, make sure to study the market well, compare the prices and look for all-clean cars; not only on the interior level. Or, seek professional help from car agencies that can help you find a buyer or a seller easily, can evaluate the car, and do all the paperwork related.
Count to ten before making any decision, and stay safe!