What do I need to easily sell my car

Fast And Easy Selling

So, it's time to sell your car. Maybe you're looking for a new one, perhaps you need the cash, or perhaps you just don't have time for it anymore. Whatever the reason, selling a car can be tricky.

You want to make sure you get as much money as possible while also ensuring the process is smooth and stress-free. Luckily for you, we've put together this comprehensive guide on how to sell your car and what you need to get it sold asap. Let's get started!

Things You Need To Sell Your Car

Proof of Ownership

The registration/renewal certificate is proof that you own the car you're planning to sell. It's essential to have one because a person may have evidence of ownership without the registration certificate.

The certificate should be legible, have the exact details of the seller, and shouldn't be damaged or torn. A good example of essential information is the vehicle identification number (VIN) which should match the physical vehicle. If you bought the car from another person, you'd also need documents signed by the previous owner.

If you're a resident of Victoria, you'll also need to provide additional information such as a photo, attach your driver's license, or show the buyer your VicRoads account to support that you're the vehicle owner.

It's worth noting that you can also sell unregistered vehicles, caravans, people movers, or trailers. In such a case, states like Queensland require you to have an unregistered vehicle permit to enable the sale.

One aspect of ownership that you can easily forget is car financing. You'll need to provide a pay-out letter if you have car financing. Also, if your car has custom number plates, you can either remove them or let the buyer know of any additional charges that they might incur.

Transfer of Ownership Form

Have you seen cars being pulled over due to speeding or any other traffic offense, only for the former car owner to be held guilty? If you hate lawsuits and fines, you can't ignore the transfer of ownership form in any state.

As the car seller, you need to make sure authorities know that you're no longer the car owner. A simple way to attain this is by filling out a transfer of ownership form or a notice of disposal form.

In states such as Queensland, you'll have to complete the transfer form online. In others such as Victoria and Western Australia, you can download the vehicle transfer form from their sites or pick them up at any local office of the registration authority.

You'll need to fill in all the buyer's details in the transfer form. You can ask for the buyer's driver's license to get the correct information. Furthermore, you should fill in all the details of the vehicle. Also, both the buyer and seller should sign the declaration form.

Roadworthy Certificate

In Australia, it's a rule of thumb; all cars older than five years must undergo an annual safety inspection. Some states require sellers to have a roadworthy certificate.

A good example is Victoria, where the roadworthy certificate should be less than 30 days. However, not all vehicles require a roadworthy certificate. In Queensland, light cars must have a safety certificate from a vehicle inspection station, while heavy vehicles must have a certificate of inspection.

Receipt

When selling any vehicle, the seller and buyer must write a receipt. The purpose of the receipt is to prove the purchase and ownership of the car. Some states provide a template of what should be in a sale receipt. Some of the details to include are:

• Date and time

• Seller's name and address

• Buyer's name and address, and signature

• Vehicles identification number or chassis number

• Model and make of the car

• The selling price or the market price of the car

Alternatively, you can draft a sales contract, a letter, or a tax invoice with all the above details.

Vehicle History and Maintenance Records

Is your vehicle's maintenance up to date? While having a roadworthy certificate is essential, having a maintenance report and vehicle history helps assure the buyer that the car has been well maintained.

A car history report is documentation of everything noteworthy that has happened to your vehicle. This is based on data from state records, repair service records, and insurance companies (if your car is insured, get a CPT (Compulsory Third Party) green slip).

Also, when the car needs a repair, mechanics can quickly identify the problem if you've attached all the documents, such as receipts, to show which parts have been replaced or modified previously.

Owner's Manual, Spare Keys, and Logbook

This will be useful to new drivers if they need to troubleshoot typical issues or need a reference to figure out what caution light is on. If you don't have a copy, you can usually find one online these days.

For the spare keys, hand them over to the new user as well as the logbook since you no longer need them.

A Copy of the Dealer Warranty Form

Are you thinking of selling your latest Hyundai model that comes with a 160,000km or five-year warranty? In Australia, most car warranties can be transferred to a new owner. This is a significant boost to both the seller and buyer.

The seller will be guaranteed a higher sale price while the buyer will be guaranteed repairs or replacement if anything goes wrong with the car before the warranty expires; hence, make sure to hand along extended warranty papers at the time of sale.

Recall Documents

If you're selling a recalled car, you should let prospective buyers know. A buyer will likely pay more if you provide all the details. Don't let him find out that your car had been recalled from the vehicle recalls website.

How To Sell Your Car In Simple Steps

Step One: Decide on the Selling Method

The first initial step in selling your car is to decide how you want to sell it. This will depend on how much money you want back from your car and the time you have on your hands. You can sell through any of the following options.‍

• Sell your car privately: This is often the best way to get more money from selling your vehicle. You'll need to research how similar cars are trading in the market and advertise. One disadvantage of this selling process is that it can take a long time to find a buyer for your vehicle. Also, it's even more complicated if you have car financing.

• Trade-in your car: It may be easier to trade in your car to a dealer for a new or used vehicle than to sell it privately. Dealers sell and buy cars. You won't have to spend time and money trying to find a buyer or holding on to your old car for an extended period. While trading in your car can be the easiest and least stressful option to sell, it does have some drawbacks. The primary disadvantage of using this method is that you may not receive as much money as if you sold it privately.

• Auction: If you don't want the hassle of selling your car privately or are not interested in trading your car to a dealer, consider selling your car at a public auction. However, it would be best to keep in mind that you'll earn less and that the auction business may charge a commission.

Step Two: Increase Your Car's Valuation

If you want more money, this is the time to make your car appeal to the potential buyer. To increase your car valuation, you'll need to:

• Fix any scratches or dents

• Replace worn-out tires

• Carry out maintenance

• Clean out the car

However, please make sure the car repairs do not outweigh the car's worth; otherwise, it's easier to drop the asking price than fix all the above.

Step Three: Get All Documents Ready

The next step is to find all the required documents you need to sell your vehicle. If you're the owner, you need to have your car inspected and get a roadworthy certificate. However, as stated earlier, this will depend on your state or the car's age. Other must-have documents include:

• Car registration papers

• Logbook and owner's manual

• Instructions on how to deactivate alarms if any have been fitted

• Service records

• Car history records

Step Four: Find a Buyer

With everything ready, it's time to find a buyer. If you opted for a trade-in, walk to a car showroom or a dealer and get a pricing guide for your car. Register your vehicle with a public auctioneer if you've decided to sell through auction.

However, if you're selling your car privately, you'll need to place adverts. You can have your ads online. In your ads, give a brief description of the car, price, condition, acceptable payment forms, and include high-quality photos.

Step Five: Sell Your Car

With a buyer ready, it's time to sell your car. It would be best to be prepared to answer any questions regarding the vehicle. Also, you'll need to up your negotiation skills if you're looking for more money. An easy way is to highlight your key selling points, such as a warranty, new tires, and so on.

Step Six: Finalise the Sale

With your money in the bank, it's time to finalise the sale by filling in the required paperwork. You'll need to fill in a vehicle transfer form, and the buyer submits it to the relevant authority in your state within 14 days.

Sell Your Car Effortlessly

Selling a car can be a daunting process, but it doesn't have to be. We've provided you with a full guide to selling your car in this article. Selling online is often the best way to reach more buyers and sell faster, so why not reach out to a trusted dealership to handle the process for you. We hope you find this information helps you sell your car fast and easily!