Getting Your Car Ready to Sell for the Best Result

Clean it properly

A thorough clean inside and out is the simplest improvement you can make. Wash and dry the bodywork, clean the wheels, vacuum the carpets and seats, empty the boot and wipe down the dashboard and door cards. Remove personal items and any smells.

A tidy car suggests a careful owner, and it lets the buyer concentrate on the car, not the clutter. Do not hide problems, though. A clean car is not a substitute for honesty.

Pay attention to smell. Smoke, pets and damp can all put buyers off, so air the car out for a few days, clean the upholstery and check the boot and footwells for any hidden moisture. A bit of effort here often changes a buyer's first impression.

Fix the small things

Minor faults put buyers off and invite haggling. Replace blown bulbs, worn wiper blades and cracked number plates, and top up fluids. If a warning light is on, find out why before you sell, because it will be the first thing a buyer asks about.

For bigger or more uncertain issues, a vehicle health check will tell you where you stand. Whether a repair is worth doing before sale depends on the car and what it needs, so weigh it up honestly.

Think about the tyres and wheels. Kerbed alloys and worn tyres make a car look tired, and if the wheels are scuffed, it may be worth asking a specialist what can be done, depending on the condition and your plans for the car.

• Replace blown bulbs and tired wipers
• Sort stone chips or minor scuffs where sensible
• Check tyre condition and pressures
• Investigate any dashboard warning lights

Service and MOT

A fresh service and a long MOT make the car easier to sell, because the buyer does not have to worry about immediate costs. If the MOT is due soon, consider doing it first, and if the car is overdue for a service, an oil and filter change at least shows it has not been neglected.

If the service history is patchy, a dated record from a recent service helps. We can carry out servicing and MOT testing at Banks of the Tyne, and explain what is needed before you decide.

Gather records and keys

Pull together the V5C logbook, service book or invoices, old MOT certificates and any receipts for major work. Find the spare key, the handbook and any locking wheel nut key, as missing items may reduce what a buyer will offer.

Organised paperwork builds trust. It shows the car has been looked after, and it saves time during a valuation or sale.

Make sure your details are up to date on the logbook, and if you have recently moved, update your address with the DVLA before you sell. Check the current rules on telling the DVLA when you sell, because the process and what to do with the logbook are set by them.

Describe it honestly and photograph it well

Take clear photos in daylight on a tidy background, showing all sides, the interior, the dashboard with the mileage, and any marks you should disclose. Write a plain description with the make, model, mileage, number of owners, service history and known faults.

Honesty protects you as well as the buyer. If you prefer to avoid the process, a garage that buys cars directly can value the car, inspect it and make an offer, and vehicles are bought in various conditions. Part exchange is another way to put the car towards your next one.

Be ready for questions. Know the car's history, when it was last serviced and when the MOT expires, and be willing to let a buyer have it inspected. Open, plain answers are the quickest way to reach a sale that both sides are happy with.

Frequently asked questions