You want to sell your car. But did you know that there's a lot involved in selling your car? From determining the asking price to closing the deal and transferring ownership of your car. In this article, we'll give you advice and tips for every stage of the sales process. This way, you can be sure that your car will change hands quickly and on the right terms.
Determine car asking price
First, you need to determine the value of your car and your asking price. Online, you'll find all sorts of handy calculators that can help you calculate the current market value and trade-in value of your car. We recommend the tool on the BOVAG website. You can also look at the asking price of similar cars offered online on sites like Marktplaats.
The day value is an indication of the price you could ask for your car in a private sale. The trade-in value is an estimate of the price a car dealership would offer you for your car.
The guide price you're presented with is calculated based on your car's model, trim, year of manufacture, and mileage. Furthermore, the maintenance history and the current condition of the car also influence its value and the price a buyer is willing to pay for your car.
Tip: make sure that you can demonstrate with your car's service book that the car has been well maintained and ensure you have a new MOT.
Offer your car
You can trade in your car at the dealership or sell it to a car dealer or a private buyer. Each selling method has its pros and cons.
Trading in at the dealer is quick and easy, but won't get you top price. Selling to a dealer won't either, as they'll want to make some profit on your car too. However, a dealer is more likely than a private buyer to purchase a car with faults. Selling privately will probably get you the most money, but it also costs the most effort.
Selling to a private individual involves quite a lot. Competition on websites like Autoscout24, AutoTrack, and Marktplaats is fierce, so you'll need to do something to stand out.
Be as thorough as possible when listing the features and particulars (unique selling points) of your car. Be honest about any drawbacks, such as scratches in the paintwork and damage to the interior. Try not to hide them. A prospective buyer will discover them during the viewing anyway. Besides, honesty is the best policy, and as a seller, you are legally obliged to disclose known defects.
One way to make your car stand out is through photography. Why not photograph a city car or SUV in its ‘natural’ environment instead of on your driveway? Upload as many photos as possible of the interior and exterior of your car, and also photograph under the bonnet. Take close-ups of any scratches and damage. Finally, resist the urge to retouch the photos taken or to apply all sorts of filters to them.
Tip: take a look at the photos car manufacturers post of their new models and how they promote them. Don't just mention the features, but also include the driving characteristics, for example. ‘Spirited three-pot’ sounds more appealing than ‘3 cylinders’.
Test drive
If a prospective buyer is interested in your car, they will want to come and view it and possibly test drive it themselves.
Give your car an extra polish before a potential buyer comes to view it. If you’re letting them take it for a test drive, be aware of the risks involved. After all, something can always go wrong during a test drive, such as damage from an accident. Who will cover the damage then? In any case, go along on the test drive. If you’re letting someone else drive, always check that the driver has a valid driving licence and complete a so-called test drive declaration, which you can find online.
The price negotiations
If someone has serious interest in your car after viewing and a test drive, they will likely want to negotiate the selling price, or haggle over your asking price. Usually, buyer and seller meet somewhere in the middle between the opening offer and the original asking price for the car. If there are multiple interested parties, you, as the seller, will have a stronger negotiating position when selling your car. Don't agree to the first offer that comes along, and don't be afraid to say ‘no’.
The sale and transfer
Do you agree with the buyer on the price? Then a handshake is generally all that's needed to seal the deal. Such a verbal sales contract is legally binding, but to prevent misunderstandings, it's wiser to record the sale in a written sales agreement. This clearly lays down all agreements between buyer and seller.
Once the sale is agreed, the car still needs to be formally transferred. This is done by putting the registration in the buyer's name (naming). This transfer must – at least when selling to private individuals – take place at the post office. When trading in and selling to a garage, this can often be done on the spot. As the seller, you can accompany the buyer to the post office and immediately receive the indemnity certificate.
With the exemption certificate, you as the seller are exempt from all responsibility for your old car. From now on, the new owner must ensure it has a valid MOT, car insurance, and pays road tax.
Do you have any questions about selling your car? We'd be happy to answer them! We might even be interested in buying your car ourselves. To do so, please contact Meet us.
