As much as many of us are holding onto our cars for a few years longer, there will come a time when you want to sell your car. If that day is just around the corner, there’s no doubt that you’ll be wanting to sell it for its maximum resale value.  

If you want to secure the best possible price, you’ll need to put in a bit of spit and elbow grease – and perhaps a bit admin, too. From cleaning and maintenance to documentation and presentation, there are several steps you can take to enhance your car’s appeal to potential buyers.  

Let’s explore essential tips for preparing your car for resale and maximising its value. 

Clean And Detail Your Car 

Our first tip is one that you should perform at least twice. Initially, you should give your car a thorough cleaning, both inside and out. We’re talking about doing a wash and wax for the exterior, vacuuming the interior, wiping down surfaces, and removing any clutter or personal items. You might even want to call in professional detailing services to give your car a showroom-worthy finish. 

Once that’s done, your car is ready for pictures and viewings from prospective buyers. While a spec of dust shouldn’t matter as much as the condition of the engine, potential buyers are swayed by the cleanliness of the car and are more likely to buy a shiny, fresh-smelling vehicle for the price indicated than a dirty car that smells like feet. 

The second cleaning session is an act of kindness to the buyer of your car – specifically if it is a private sale. If you’re selling to a dealer, it’s likely that they will clean the car before they market it. 

Address Mechanical Issues 

Arguably this is the most important step, and that is to ensure that your car is in good working condition by addressing any mechanical issues. Schedule a maintenance check-up, change the oil, check the brakes, tyres, and lights, and make any necessary repairs.  

At the end of the day, a well-maintained vehicle is more attractive to potential buyers. 

Gather Maintenance Records 

Nothing instills confidence in a buyer than having access to all maintenance and service records for your car, including receipts, invoices, and repair documentation. You can also hold strong onto your price if you have the complete history of your car’s maintenance right at your fingertips. 

Enhance Curb Appeal 

Real estate agents often talk about ‘curb appeal,’ which is when you tidy up the outside of your home so that potential buyers get a lovely sense of how amazing it would be to own and live in your home. Well, the same technique works when it comes to selling cars. 

No one actually wants to buy a car with chips and dents… and if they do, they expect to pay a much lower price. With that in mind, it’s wise to make small cosmetic improvements to enhance your car’s ‘curb appeal,’ like touching up paint chips, replacing worn-out floor mats, and fixing minor dents or scratches.  

Price Your Car Competitively 

When we talk about getting the best price for your car, we should caution you that we mean the best price that is realistic. If your car is worth R75,000 and you want R500,000 then no tips are going to get you that money.  

Take the time to research the market value of your car based on its make, model, year, mileage, and condition. Price your car competitively to attract potential buyers while still allowing room for negotiation.  

Advertise Effectively 

Remember that tip about cleaning your car for the pictures? If possible, take high-quality photos of your car from multiple angles, highlighting its best features. You can then write a detailed and honest description of the vehicle, including its specifications, history, and any unique selling points.  

South Africa is brimming with online platforms aimed at selling and buying cars, so post your car everywhere. Don’t forget about social media and classified ads, as this will ensure that you’re able to reach a wide audience of potential buyers. 

Feeling Informed? 

If you’re not just about to sell your car, we highly recommend that you invest in a warranty plan that will help you look after the vehicle until you’re ready. Not only will this help you look after your car and protect your pocket from paying for unexpected breakdowns on your own, but potential buyers are biased towards vehicles that have proof that the sellers have been able to have breakdowns and failures professionally dealt with. 

Our range of AA Warranties can help you with the cost of paying for mechanical, electrical, and electronic failures that may happen to your vehicle. What’s more, any claims you put in won’t change the monthly cost, like it does with car insurance claims. And if you buy your , you can save 10% every month. 

If you’d like to find out more what you get with a car warranty, check out our guide right here.