Selling a car in New South Wales (NSW)

How To Sell Your Car In New South Wales

It is quite an exhilarating journey if you want to buy or sell a vehicle. The purchaser is about to put funds into a car that will be in their possession. On the other hand, the seller is parting with something that has been in their life for a while. So the procedure is not about handing over money for a bunch of keys.

Instead, there is a bit of documentation that involves the purchaser and the seller. In Australia, the government controls the processes of buying and selling cars. In other words, the federal government determines how you should carry out this contract.

If you are seriously considering selling your car, you might be tempted to sell to a dealer for quick cash. However, it is good to know that you can get much more money if you decide to sell your car privately. Do not fret! It is not that difficult.

This article aims to provide all the necessary information you are required to know if you want to sell your car in NSW. We will tell you everything, from local authority prerequisites to taking good pictures and any other tips we know to help you sell your car quickly and at a better deal. 

Different Ways Of Selling Your Car

Private Sale

The beauty of a private sale is that you can get a reasonable price. However, its disadvantage is that you will be taking a lot of calls and might have to deal with a couple of 'no-shows.' It is also time-consuming due to the many negotiations and face-to-face meetings involved.

Auction

There are two benefits here; it is usually easy and fast, and there are no negotiations with buyers. However, you will most likely not sell it at a higher price and will have to pay an entry fee. You will also have to pay a commission to the auctioneers once the car is sold.

Trade-in

The beauty of this is that the process is usually fast and easy. On the flip side, the car dealer will offer you a lower price than what you might have gotten if you sold the car privately.

Consignment 

One major benefit is that the car is sold on your behalf. However, this means that you will forfeit a good price compared to if you sell it privately.

Guidelines On Selling A Car In NSW

Step One: Documentation

Get the following documents:

• An actual copy of a registration permit, renewal notification, or additional registration document signed by the preceding holder.

• An endorsed copy of a dealer warranty form.

• An actual copy of a sales agreement. This could be a letter, receipt, or tax statement, presenting the seller's information, the purchaser's information, sale date, the sale price or market price of the vehicle, and the car's registration and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

• An actual copy of a Notice of Disposal form signed by the person selling.

It is mandatory to present the documents above. But as a seller, you can choose to provide other documentation to the purchaser. For instance, you can provide the vehicle's maintenance documents. These documents will help the prospective buyer know just how much you have taken care of the car.

It will give you an advantage when it comes to negotiating the price and hopefully help you list and sell the car at a higher price point. These documents are also helpful to the purchaser as they can tell which parts you have currently changed or repaired and the ones that need more attention.

Step Two: Photography

People always assume that a clean car must have been well-maintained. Therefore, if you are planning on selling a car, give it some thorough cleaning - both inside and outside. You can take it to a professional car cleaner to do this job. Get rid of any trash or any stuff that you are not selling. Once it is clean, then the next step is to:

• Take photos of the car showing the interior and exterior from different angles.

• If the car has any additional features, focus on them.

• Take pictures of the engine bay, car boot, and tyres.

• Try hard to avoid reflections and harsh shades.

• Do not provide the buyer with too much or too little about the vehicle or the background.

Good quality photos will make your vehicle's price value go up. If you are clueless about taking pictures, you can hire a professional photographer to do the job.  

Step Three: Advertisement

There are details of the car that you should include in your advertisement:

• The make, model, year, and variant.

• Itemise the transmission type and any additional features such as tracking device, reverse camera, and sunroof.

• You can also mention the vehicle’s mileage - you might be at a more significant advantage if the vehicle has low mileage.

Use online tools to have an idea of how to price your vehicle. If your car is in good shape or has low mileage, you can put the price up by a couple of thousands more than the estimate. The reason for setting a higher price is to leave room for negotiation. However, don’t exaggerate the amount as this might put off potential buyers. Compare cars similar to yours and do not forget to include good quality photos to make the car more appealing to buyers.  

Step Four: Meetup

Interested parties may want to take the car for a road test. This is quite okay. However, ensure that you are protected from other motorists by your insurance company. Take a photo of their driver's license before giving them the go-ahead to do a road test. You can even accompany them for the test drive. You can go into details about any features and unfamiliar switches that your car may have.

• Be prepared for some bargaining. You will know if the buyer is genuine if they check out the vehicle before discussing the price.

• Choose a mode of payment that you are comfortable with. Your options include a bank cheque, cash payment, or online transfer.

• If the buyer shows interest and requests to come back later with the money, you can ask for a down payment.

• Once you receive payment, you should give proof of purchase. Show the date of purchase, car details, and the amount received, as well as the purchaser and seller's particulars.

• Before releasing your cherished car, double-check to make sure that nothing has been left inside. Things like CDs and phone cables can easily be forgotten.

Step Five: Finalising the Sale

As soon as you have finalised the sale, you are supposed to submit a notice of disposal immediately. This will prevent you from being fined and issued tickets from the new owner.

• Go to the NSW Roads and Waterways website and submit the notice there.

• Do away with the eTag from the vehicle and delete your car's registration from the eTag account. You can do this online.

• Revoke your insurance and wayside support on the car. 

How To Submit A Notice Of Disposal

You have to alert the authorities immediately as soon as you sell your NSW registered car. This will shield you from being held responsible for the new owner's parking or other driving violations.

There are two ways to submit your notice of disposal; either online or physically at the service centre. You are given a 14-day transfer time to allow the new owner to move the car online and not incur a delayed penalty.

In specific circumstances, a print version has to be submitted. So verify the qualification terms. In such cases, you are required to submit a form if one of the following is applicable:

• You are acting as the proxy for a firm in selling the car

• You do not hold a NSW Driver Licence or Photo Card

• The current owner or driver does not have an NSW Driver License

• The purchaser is a federal car dealer who does not hold an NWS car dealer license number

Requirements for Submitting the Notice of Disposal

• The vehicle's NSW registration plate number

• Your NSW driver licence or Photo Card particulars

• The current owner's NSW driver licence particulars or the NSW car dealer's licence number

• The date of sale

• The vehicle’s selling price or market price (whichever is greater)

• A MyServiceNSW Account (optional)

It does not take a lot of time and energy to sell your car over the internet. Remember, you can get an excellent price if you follow the above steps when selling your car. Make an appealing poster that has all the necessary details to catch the eye of the prospective buyer.

What To Do Immediately After Selling The Car

• Do not forget to hand over the spare keys, accessories, the owner's guide, logbook, and service leaflet. If the car is still protected by a manufacturer or seller service contract, give them the warranty documents.

• Submit a notice of disposal immediately so that you are not charged for traffic offences committed by the current owner.

• Do not forget to issue a receipt showing the date of sale once the vehicle is sold.

Do You Still Need Help Selling Your Car?

It's okay if you are still confused about the whole process. We understand that it is a bit of a long and very hectic process. However, the great news is that you don't have to do it on your own. You can get a professional car dealer in NSW to help with the process. This happens to be one of the most convenient ways of selling a car.