How to sell a car

Effectively Selling Your Car

You always need to adopt the right strategies whenever you want to sell your car. Doing this will increase your chances of selling the vehicle at a reasonably higher price. However, you need to know your options and list them in an orderly manner. There are many tips and tricks on the internet to help you with the process.

Through this article, you will know all that is needed to successfully sell your car. For instance, you will know all the documents required while selling a car. Such knowledge will, without any doubt, increase your chances of getting a good deal.

Safety Certificate

You no longer need to get and show a safety certificate while your vehicle is still on offer for sale. This exception applies to cars presented for sale on car yards, online platforms, or when "for sale" signs are displayed on the vehicle.

However, the seller is expected to obtain the certificate of safety before selling the car to its new owner. Deciding not to get a safety certificate before selling your registered car is highly likely to attract unwanted penalties.

Obtaining a Safety Certificate

As already mentioned, you no longer need a safety certificate before finding a buyer for the car. However, you must obtain the certificate prior to selling it off – unless you are selling it to a dealership. Despite the changes, you are highly likely to see the older safety certificates that insist that the stickers must be displayed. However, these old safety certificates are slowly being eliminated.

In Queensland, the Approved Inspection Stations give car inspections. They are the only ones in charge of offering safety certificates. These safety certificates are either handwritten or created electronically. Electronic copies are either printed or sent directly to your email address as a soft copy.

Handing Over the Safety Certificate

Once you pass over a car's registration to a new owner, you must provide an up-to-date safety certificate. It is your responsibility to get a safety certificate and not the new owner. Failure to obtain one might attract a penalty of over $650.

Provide the new owner with any of the following documents:

• A handwritten certificate of safety (the original one)

• An electronic copy of the safety certificate

• Certificate number of the electronically produced safety certificate

It is also worth noting that:

• The new owner won't be able to change the vehicle's registration details from your name to their name without an updated safety certificate.

• You will still be responsible for any traffic offences involving the vehicle as long as it remains in your name.

How Long for a Safety Certificate to Expire?

The duration before the expiry of a safety certificate mostly depends on the person or entity selling the car. Is it being sold by a licensed motor dealer or other sellers?

• Licensed motor dealers: These certificates are valid for three months or 1,000 kilometres (whichever runs out first) from the date of issuance.

• All other sellers: These certificates are valid for two months or 2,000 kilometres (whichever runs out first) from the date of issuance.

You are expected to get a new safety certificate each time you sell a car. Kindly note that one safety certificate can only be used for a single change.

When is a Safety Certificate not Required?

You don't need a safety certificate if dealing with unregistered vehicles. There is also no need for the certificate if the cars are sold to or are transferred between licensed motor vehicle dealers. You are required to deregister such vehicles if you’d like to sell them for parts.

A safety certificate is also not necessary in any of these situations:

• A car seller is living in an exempt remote area.

• The recipient of a dead person's property.

• Spouses who are in the process of terminating their registered relationships. They are exempted until they officially end the process of terminating their union.

How To Sell An Unregistered Vehicle

There is nothing as challenging as selling an unregistered vehicle. Prospective buyers are usually suspicious in such situations. The sensible thing to do is to have your vehicle registered and then sell it. You can lower your selling price if you do not want to go down that path. At best, you have to offer a price reduction for the total sum the purchaser will use to register it.

But similarly, to make it more appealing in the market where almost all the vehicles for sale have been registered, it will have to be low-priced. It is against the law to allow a person to do a road test on an unregistered car. It also means that you are essentially giving them an uninsured vehicle, and if an accident happens, it would be a costly mistake.

There is another way out of this unmanageable issue of having a vehicle nobody can drive. In several states, such as Victoria, you can get a licence from VicRoads, which will let the purchaser drive your car home after buying it. You might have to look up the guidelines for other states like Tasmania, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia, and even the NT and ACT territories. A lot of responsibilities lie on the buyer's shoulder.

This includes ensuring that the document is in order and re-registering the vehicle in a new name. The seller has to produce a right of ownership proof.  In Victoria State, you can use a tow truck to move your unregistered car. You tow it on a heavy vehicle at the back of a registered car. You can also use a towing company. Check your area and be familiar with the regulations before moving an unregistered vehicle.

How To Sell Your Car Seamlessly

Selling your car through a dealer is the way to go if you want a quick sale. However, you may not receive as much money as you expect because the dealer will buy the car from you at a wholesale price. Here's how to proceed with your car sale:

Research Your Target Market

It is crucial that you find your target market. It is not always easy to predict precisely who will be interested in buying a car, but you can study who is most likely to buy what you are selling. Try to draw up a list of your target market by paying attention to those driving or walking the streets.

Apply for a Pre-Market Review

A pre-market review will undoubtedly be worth the effort. Get a thorough examination, which will surely be worth more than a hundred bucks. Moreover, this is done if you need an attorney or an expert to help you and your lawyer legally sell the car.

Consider Your Options

It is always advisable to consider various ways to sell a car, even if it is not your vehicle: trading in a new car, donating the vehicle for charity, or selling it privately. Knowing which options are most valuable to you will allow you to make the best decision for selling your car.

Ask for the Right Price

Even if you have only had your car for a few years, it is not suitable for you to sell it at its original price. You should try and see what your car is worth to other people in your area. You can try online to find people in your area that are willing to sell their cars. You can then reach out to them. You can also ask a dealer for their advice in selling your car.

Get an Experienced Third-Party Expert Opinion

One of the best methods to get the most value from your car is to get an expert opinion. Contact a reputable car auction and ask them for an estimate. If the dealer you are in communication with is not qualified to handle the sale of your vehicle, you should strongly consider using an independent vendor.

Be Sure to Bring Multiple Valuations

For instance, if you know for sure the car you are selling is worth between $4,000 and $8,000, go ahead and sell it yourself. That means you don't need a professional to value the car. But if the car is worth a lot more than that, you need a professional to value it and help you decide what to do with it.

Always Take Photos of Your Car

A professional should always take photos of your car and keep everything in their system as a reference.

Negotiate a Clear Deal 

For instance, if you plan to purchase a car for 2K, and that car is currently on for 3K, you should ask your dealer to lower it to 2K. And then, you can opt to purchase it instead of the Toyota Avensis that was on sale for $5000. This is referred to as a straightforward deal.

If you have a trade-in vehicle, it is essential to stick to your agreed terms and avoid any cancellation. You should also ensure that your trade-in is still within its warranty period. Most people would want to get a good deal on a car, and they would fall for any excuse to convince the dealer to cut down on the price. So, make sure you take all the necessary legal requirements and check if you still have the warranty on your trade-in vehicle.

Getting Your Vehicle Ready For Sale

Once you've decided you want to sell your car, it's time to start looking at it. It’s a good idea to wash it and get all the garbage out of the car. Ensure that every part of the car is sparkling clean. This gives an impression that it is well maintained, increasing your chances of selling it at a fair price.

Step One: Write up a great ad headline

Get the most out of your ad headline with this simple yet effective trick. Using a headline with at least two verbs, such as "used to," makes your ad more attractive to potential buyers. For example, "My car is past its prime but still has more than 100K miles on the odometer."

Step Two: Highlight the features that are most important

You must highlight the features that are most important to buyers if you are to boost your ad's appeal. For instance, when you are selling an SUV, highlight the things that buyers value most, such as all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, and the all-important room for passengers.

Step Three: Follow up on all leads and inquiries

After you have listed your car for sale, you will receive plenty of leads and enquiries. Your best option, in this regard, would be to respond to every question. It would be best if you did this by either responding directly to the potential buyers by giving them an estimate for the car or meeting them face-to-face. You can then follow up through phone calls.

Also, check the emails and make sure you read through each. The easiest way to deal with all enquiries is by writing back to every customer and suggesting that they take your car for a test drive. You can also direct them to the dealership you are dealing with if necessary. The more information you have, the better.

Transferring A Vehicle License

You must notify the department within seven days of selling a licensed car. If you do not do this, you can be penalised. Follow the steps below to change the license:

• Get a copy of the car license transfer form.

• Fill out the change of ownership.

• Provide the purchaser with the buyer's copy and any other documentation.

• Post the seller's copy to the Department of Transport in your state.

From the above information, get to know the type of car you are selling first. If you want to sell an unregistered vehicle privately, there is no need for a car inspection. But if you are thinking of moving it from one place to another, you need to get an unregistered vehicle permit. On the other hand, if you sell a registered car privately, you need to check a few things before advertising it. 

Are You Struggling To Sell?

Road safety is vital not only to drivers but also to other road users. Anyone planning to buy a used vehicle should do due diligence and ensure that the vehicle has been inspected and that it is roadworthy. If the seller has recently had the car serviced, he can provide you with all the information about it.

Consider using the services of a car dealer in case you are overwhelmed by the whole process. This decision will save you time, allowing you to engage in other equally serious errands. Also, note that selling vehicles without a dealers license has its limitations and consequences. Therefore, engaging a car dealer is definitely an option worth considering.