Writing the Ad to Sell Your Used Car
Writing The Ad To Sell Your Used Car
Get the advertisement right and a quick sale will follow, but get the wording wrong and buyers will be scared off. Whether advertising on the internet or in the local newspaper, it costs money to sell a used car and no-one wants to spend even more re-advertising it. There is an art to writing the perfect car ad, but by following some straightforward rules it is easy to get it right first time.
Selling online allows a more detailed description, but be careful not to bore potential buyers. Try to keep the ad below 75 words and do not use too many confusing abbreviations. If advertising in print, limit the ad to 30 words to prevent the cost becoming prohibitive. Start the ad with the car’s most appealing features before going into more detail and try to include the following:
* Type of car. Be exact and say, for example, Ford Mondeo Edge 2.0 TDCi estate and not Mondeo estate.
* Year and registration letter of the car, such as 2001 Y-reg.
* Colour.
* Mileage. If it is high include it anyway, as all potential buyers will want to know. Just adjust the price accordingly.
* Due date of the next MOT.
* Expiry date of the road tax disc.
* Number of owners. Cars with fewer previous owners are more desirable.
* Notable features, such as alloy wheels, leather interior, air conditioning, central locking, electric windows, power steering, ABS, 160-watt stereo with six-CD changer.
* Service history details. If a car has a recorded service history, it can add value. If it is complete, advertise as full service history.
* Tell of any modifications made to the car.
* Asking price, and set it slightly higher than the minimum amount acceptable, as buyers like to haggle.
* Reason for selling.
* Pictures when selling online. Wash and wax the car to create a good first impression and include plenty of photographs to make the ad stand out.
There is no point in trying to cover up faults, as any self-respecting buyer will find them and then use them to hammer down the price. So be honest. If there are several scrapes on the alloy wheels, say so but accentuate the positive too. For instance, if the car has had one owner for five years and has not broken down or been in an accident in that time, say so. If there are no dents or scratches on the bodywork, point this out.
Avoid using vague terms that will add little value, such as ‘good car’, ‘a joy to drive’, ‘careful driver’, ‘lovely condition’, ‘first to see will buy’ and ‘no time wasters’. It is better to be specific about the advantages and features of the car and then let the buyers decide for themselves. Include essential pieces of information, but keep the ad concise and interesting. Consider using bullet points to summarise the key features of the car and write a sentence about the car’s greatest asset.
Be honest when setting the asking price. If the car is not in great condition, be realistic and consider lowering the price. Trying to charge over the odds will reduce the chance of a sale considerably.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
GETTING THE BEST PRICE FOR YOUR USED CAR
Getting the Best Price for Your Used Car
Getting The Best Price For Your Used Car
There is no law against advertising a used car for a ridiculously high price, but the chances of selling it are slim. Set the price too low and the car will be snapped up, but then the seller will rue missing out on the best price.
It is a balancing act, so to avoid disappointment and ensure a used car is priced as accurately as possible, a seller has to get a valuation. There are several ways to go about this, and there are pros and cons with each one.
Take the car to a dealer and, whether franchised or independent, the same industry price guides will be used to value the car. There may be slight differences in the prices offered by dealers, but this will depend more on how easy the individual dealer believes it will be to sell the car on. Nevertheless, all dealers will make an offer on the low side in order to resell the car at a profit.
Ask the Experts
Consider asking an independent specialist to give an unbiased opinion of the car’s condition and value. This will cost money, and is more often a tactic employed by buyers to ensure a used car is worth the asking price, but an independent inspection can give a seller an indication of what work has to be carried out to make the car more attractive to buyers and will help achieve the best price possible.
A quick scan of the classified advertisements will give a seller a good idea of a car’s worth. Find the same make and model of a similar age, condition and mileage to find out what other sellers consider a fair price. For a quick sale, price a car a little lower than the competition, as the best buy will sell first.
Buyers’ guides for sale in newsagents or available online calculate a car’s worth using the same trade guides that dealers use. Valuations given will vary according to the age, condition and mileage of the car and although the price will be a good estimate, sellers should still check what prices similar cars are achieving in their area.
These guides tend to give four different valuations for the same used car, based on whether the car will be traded in, sold to a dealer, taken to auction or sold privately.
* The trade-in price is what a dealer will offer if the seller is going to buy his new car from that dealer. Remember the dealer will want to make a profit on the car, so the valuation will reflect this.
* The dealer price is what a dealer will expect to sell a used car for on the forecourt. This price will usually include a warranty and remember too that buying from a dealer gives a greater deal of legal protection if there turns out to be problem with the car.
* The auction price will be the lowest, as most buyers at auction are in the motor trade and will not pay over the odds. It is an easy and quick way to sell a used car, but is unlikely to achieve the best price.
* The private sale price is the one most sellers will use as a guide. It tends to be lower than the price demanded by dealers and buyers searching for the best used car deal will know this. Still, sellers will get more through a private sale than through a trade-in.
Getting The Best Price For Your Used Car
There is no law against advertising a used car for a ridiculously high price, but the chances of selling it are slim. Set the price too low and the car will be snapped up, but then the seller will rue missing out on the best price.
It is a balancing act, so to avoid disappointment and ensure a used car is priced as accurately as possible, a seller has to get a valuation. There are several ways to go about this, and there are pros and cons with each one.
Take the car to a dealer and, whether franchised or independent, the same industry price guides will be used to value the car. There may be slight differences in the prices offered by dealers, but this will depend more on how easy the individual dealer believes it will be to sell the car on. Nevertheless, all dealers will make an offer on the low side in order to resell the car at a profit.
Ask the Experts
Consider asking an independent specialist to give an unbiased opinion of the car’s condition and value. This will cost money, and is more often a tactic employed by buyers to ensure a used car is worth the asking price, but an independent inspection can give a seller an indication of what work has to be carried out to make the car more attractive to buyers and will help achieve the best price possible.
A quick scan of the classified advertisements will give a seller a good idea of a car’s worth. Find the same make and model of a similar age, condition and mileage to find out what other sellers consider a fair price. For a quick sale, price a car a little lower than the competition, as the best buy will sell first.
Buyers’ guides for sale in newsagents or available online calculate a car’s worth using the same trade guides that dealers use. Valuations given will vary according to the age, condition and mileage of the car and although the price will be a good estimate, sellers should still check what prices similar cars are achieving in their area.
These guides tend to give four different valuations for the same used car, based on whether the car will be traded in, sold to a dealer, taken to auction or sold privately.
* The trade-in price is what a dealer will offer if the seller is going to buy his new car from that dealer. Remember the dealer will want to make a profit on the car, so the valuation will reflect this.
* The dealer price is what a dealer will expect to sell a used car for on the forecourt. This price will usually include a warranty and remember too that buying from a dealer gives a greater deal of legal protection if there turns out to be problem with the car.
* The auction price will be the lowest, as most buyers at auction are in the motor trade and will not pay over the odds. It is an easy and quick way to sell a used car, but is unlikely to achieve the best price.
* The private sale price is the one most sellers will use as a guide. It tends to be lower than the price demanded by dealers and buyers searching for the best used car deal will know this. Still, sellers will get more through a private sale than through a trade-in.
BEST WAY TO BUY A NEW CAR IN UK
less than six seconds, but it is really the practical choice? Well, not for a family man with a wife, two children and a dog to transport around.
Before buying a used car, take time to consider how the car will be used. Think too about how much money is available to buy the car, as there is little point in shopping around for a second-hand Ferrari with low mileage if the budget is only £6,000.
It is a good idea for a buyer to make a list of what he needs and wants from his next car. If a used car has all he needs and most of what he wants, it may be the right choice. Some factors to consider are:
* How much space is needed? A small car may be cheaper to buy, more economical and easier to park, but will not be very comfortable on long journeys if pets and children have to be squashed in.
* What will the annual mileage be? Those covering a lot of miles may want a diesel engine, which gives better fuel economy and is longer lasting, while occasional drivers may prefer a petrol-powered used car, as generally those are cheaper to buy.
* How often will the car carry passengers? The three-door hatchback may look better, but those lifting young children in and out of car seats may be better off with the five-door version. Those less likely to be carrying passengers may find a two-seater sports car is a realistic option.
* Will children wreck the interior? A pretty, cream-coloured interior will not look so good once the children have smudged chocolate and spilt juice all over it, so consider a darker interior that will hide the mess.
* Will the car be towing a caravan? If so, an automatic gearbox will make it easier and make sure the car has a big enough engine to cope with hauling all that extra weight.
* Are speed bumps a problem? Those who dream about driving around town in a low-riding sports car may be forced to think again if living in a built up area littered with speed bumps.
* Will it rain on the parade? Anyone keen on a convertible may be put off by the lack of sunshine in Britain, but remember it can be fun going topless without the sun, as long as it is dry.
* What will it cost to run? Just because a used car is within budget does not necessarily mean it is affordable, so before parting with hard-earned cash consider running costs such as servicing, repairs, fuel economy, insurance and road tax.
Before buying a used car, take time to consider how the car will be used. Think too about how much money is available to buy the car, as there is little point in shopping around for a second-hand Ferrari with low mileage if the budget is only £6,000.
It is a good idea for a buyer to make a list of what he needs and wants from his next car. If a used car has all he needs and most of what he wants, it may be the right choice. Some factors to consider are:
* How much space is needed? A small car may be cheaper to buy, more economical and easier to park, but will not be very comfortable on long journeys if pets and children have to be squashed in.
* What will the annual mileage be? Those covering a lot of miles may want a diesel engine, which gives better fuel economy and is longer lasting, while occasional drivers may prefer a petrol-powered used car, as generally those are cheaper to buy.
* How often will the car carry passengers? The three-door hatchback may look better, but those lifting young children in and out of car seats may be better off with the five-door version. Those less likely to be carrying passengers may find a two-seater sports car is a realistic option.
* Will children wreck the interior? A pretty, cream-coloured interior will not look so good once the children have smudged chocolate and spilt juice all over it, so consider a darker interior that will hide the mess.
* Will the car be towing a caravan? If so, an automatic gearbox will make it easier and make sure the car has a big enough engine to cope with hauling all that extra weight.
* Are speed bumps a problem? Those who dream about driving around town in a low-riding sports car may be forced to think again if living in a built up area littered with speed bumps.
* Will it rain on the parade? Anyone keen on a convertible may be put off by the lack of sunshine in Britain, but remember it can be fun going topless without the sun, as long as it is dry.
* What will it cost to run? Just because a used car is within budget does not necessarily mean it is affordable, so before parting with hard-earned cash consider running costs such as servicing, repairs, fuel economy, insurance and road tax.
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