When should I sell my car?

This is one of the most important questions you can ask yourself. If you sell it too soon, or too late you will not get what you want out of it. For example, if you tried to sell a car you bought new a month before, you will take a significant loss in value, and have very little to show for it. If you try to sell a car when it is on its last leg, not only will it be hard to sell, but it will also mean you get less value out of it. Any car or truck will reach a point when it will start 'falling apart' or will require more and more repairs. It is always smart to sell your vehicle BEFORE it reaches this point. This will mean that you will still get value for it, and not have to deal with any of the headaches.

How do you know when your car will start falling apart? Te simplest answer to that is to ask a professional. Honestly you should be taking your car in for regular maintenance, such as oil changes, so simply ask your mechanic what to expect from your car in the near future. They should tell you what the mechanical shape of your car is, and if you might see a decline in performance anytime soon. If you notice changes in performance then it is probably a good idea to unload the car before you can't.

Another thing to remember is that it's more difficult to sell a car after a certain mileage or age (e.g. 100,000 miles). So, if you think you are going to want to sell the car at some point, it is much better to do it at 90,000 miles then it is to at 101,000.

Timing, while not everything, is an important aspect is selling your car. So, try to time it right to get the most value out of the car, and still get the highest price possible.

What is my car value?

If you have your car up for too much money it won't sell, but this is also true if you ask too little, it will make people suspicious of why you are selling it for so cheap. So, to have better luck selling your car you want to be sure to price it right. This is done by getting a standard and professional opinion of the car value, then make adjustments if necessary. For example, pull out Kelly Blue Book or the NADA Guides and see what they say the price range in value is for a car your year, make, model, and mileage. Then, price it somewhere in that range. If your car has extras that will boost the value, adjust it accordingly. However, remember that just because you spent a certain amount to put a sound system in, or nice rims, doesn't mean the value of the car has increased by that much.

It is also important to consider other factors when placing value. Value can be determined by many factors, such as the car's mechanical condition, the car's installed options, the time of the year, gas prices, the market conditions etc. There is no guarantee that you will be able to sell your car for the suggested price, and there are times when you will be able to sell it for more. For example, it's very difficult to sell an SUV when fuel costs are high because they are considered gas guzzlers. However, at the start of summer they sell better because families need bigger cars to take vacations, etc. So, consider these things as well when pricing your car.

You will also want to make sure that when you are pricing your car that others selling similar cars are asking similar prices. For example, if you are selling a 2003 Lancer, and there are 15 other Lancer's of similar year for sale at the same time, you wouldn't want to be the highest priced, or the lowest, but somewhere in the middle.

You can always lower the price, raising it is not as easy, so be thoughtful about what you set the value of your car at.

Should I sell it privately or trade it in to a dealer?

Let's face it, selling a car can take a while, so if you need a new car right away, or a new used car right away a good option can be trading in your car. However, usually you will not get as much value for the car as you would if you sold it privately. Usually you just pay the difference and taxes on the difference. It can be harder to get a good deal though if you are trading your car in.

Even if you don't want to buy another car, but want to get rid of your old vehicle fast, selling it to a dealer may save you a lot of time. You can offer your vehicle to different dealers or used car lots and sell it to the one who will offer you the best price. Some will only be willing to trade it in if you are buying another car, others do not mind the additional inventory as long as they feel they can buy it for a good price, and sell it easily.

You can get a higher price selling it privately.

How can I sell a car if I still have a loan on it?

To sell a car with a loan on it, you are required to include the bank or lender in the arrangements for the sale. They hold the title, so you can't sell it without them. Basically, you can sell it for whatever you want, but until the bank gets paid in full for whatever you owe them on it still, they will not release the title, and this will be made clear to the purchaser. So, unless you have the money to pay the difference, or can sell it for the amount or more than you owe, it is not easy to sell a car you have a loan on.

Is my car ready to sell?

When you are going to sell a house you get it ready by cleaning it, making sure the outside appearance is nice, etc. The same holds true for selling a car. If you want to get top dollar for it, you need to make it look like it is worth it. So, clean your car thoroughly. Do the following:

• Wash your car thoroughly and wax the exterior. Consider repairing minor paint chips and scratches.
• Vacuum and thoroughly clean the interior.
• Clean all the windows.
• Clean the ashtray and all surroundings, and don't smoke in the car for some time to get rid of the tobacco smell if there is one.
• Clean up and vacuum the trunk.
• Check tire pressure and spray your tires with the tire shine.
• Change the engine oil and top up all the fluids.
• Prepare the maintenance records - they should show the potential buyer that you have taken good care of your car.
• If you are going to place an ad with a photo, make sure the car on the photo looks good - potential buyers will judge your car by the photo in the ad first.

First impressions really matter, so make sure your car has a good first impression on potential buyers.

Where is the most effective place to advertise your car for sell?

If you want to sell your car, it is good to know the best places to get the most exposure. For example, you will want to put a 'For Sale' sign on your car. You will want to tell people, put it in your local paper, and of course online. People are using the internet for everything these days, and car buying is no exception. These are some great places to put ads online: Autotrader.com, and Cars.com.

How can I sell my car for what I want?

How to close the deal keep the price high can be hard, especially if you are feeling a squeeze and really want to sell. Some of the best ways to sell your car for the price you want and still sell it quickly are simply doing what has been mentioned above such as making it look great, having all the maintenance records, emission test results (if they are good, of course) and receipts for any new parts such as tires, brakes or a battery handy to show to potential buyer, as well as vehicle history report if it is good. But in addition to that you have to give the potential buyer space. Let them look at the car, inspect it, even test drive it without interrupting or rushing them, no matter how badly you want.

If you can tell they like the car, but are haggling with you over the price, simply point out all the options that your car has, such as heated mirrors, stereo systems, folding seats and any other bells and whistles, make sure they know you have taken care of it, and then let them mull it over. Casually mention you have other people coming to look at the car. Usually if they can see it is a good car and the price is fair, even if it is more than they want, they will usually concede to it in fear of missing a good deal or a good car.

What do you need to do legally?

A lot of people do not know what paperwork is needed to sell a car privately. The fact is that requirements vary by jurisdiction, so you should check with your local motor vehicle authorities.