How To Shift Your Motor

You might have visions of Swiss Tony-style moves when attempting to sell your car. Refer to it as a Swedish lesbian and, bingo, it's sold. But it's not such an easy task, which is why we’ve enlisted the help of Phill Jones, Commercial Director of Motors.co.uk to tell us how to shift your motor.

“Attention to detail is the clincher when it comes to selling on your old car, and a little TLC often means the difference between getting a great deal and losing value. The good news is that the extra difference is easily achievable if you spend a couple of days tightening up loose ends before putting the model on the market.”

• Clean up your act

“This may sound a little obvious, but your car needs to look its very best in order to snap up extra value at re-sale. Make sure you spend an afternoon giving the vehicle a thorough polish inside and out, and a little extra wax on the body work or Blackout on the car tyres certainly wouldn’t go amiss. Similarly, thoroughly check your car for damage. It’s amazing how many people aren’t aware that a few bumps and scratches on the tyres can knock serious value off your motor, so try to avert any problems before they escalate.”

• Watch the mileage

“If you’re about to hit a landmark mileage on your old car, make sure you keep your driving down to a minimum. A vehicle with 39,000 miles on the meter sounds more appealing than one with 40,000. By the same token, your MOT must have at least six months left; any less could put any serious buyers off.”

• Know your car

“Potential buyers may have any number of questions about your car; be it about servicing, parts or features. Being able to answer these questions without having to reach for the handbook not only reassures buyers that you know your stuff as seller, but also that you’ve looked after your motor over the years.”

• Do your research

“Buying a car is a big investment for customers, so it’s highly likely that they’ve been researching models and makes in their area. If you’re aware of what is available and how your car may differ, then questions such as ‘I’ve seen a model for £500 less down the road’ shouldn’t pose any significant problems for you.”

• Be realistic

“It’s worth bearing in mind that dealers can charge more for their models because there is (usually) some form of warranty included in the price. For this reason, never pitch your price to match theirs. Although you do need to build a good margin into your re-sale price to allow for bargaining, it can be extremely off putting to buyers if you’re perceived as greedy.”