Like anything else, cars are not meant to remain pristine forever. After years of regular use, they start to rust and some of their parts wear out. At this point, you may decide to let go of your beloved car to cut your losses, especially if you deem the repairs to be too expensive to fix.
You can sell your used car using two main ways; selling privately or through a car dealership. Each has its pros and cons, so it’s important to weigh your options before deciding which way to go.
For example, you might get a better deal if you choose to sell your car privately, although this will depend mainly on your selling and negotiation skills. On the downside, you may have to be very patient before you can get the right buyer.
On the other hand, trading a car to a car dealership is often more convenient if you need fast cash or want to avoid the hassles of repairing the vehicle yourself. Here at Motors On Wheels, we offer you an unbeatable cash deal for your used car as long as it’s not more than 10 years old.
We have a quick process we follow to ensure all the paperwork is finalized within 30 minutes of agreeing on the price. And as if that’s not enough, we give you a free ride home and can even come to where you are if that’s more convenient to you.
Are you selling a car that needs work in TX? Here are six simple tips that we give to sellers.
Have a mechanic inspect it
This is particularly vital if your car has been problematic. Don’t just assume that you already know the parts that need repairs. Let an expert inspect it thoroughly to find out if any underlying issues require special attention.
The idea behind this process is to enable you give the prospective buyer an honest assessment of the car. You can also direct the mechanic to clean the engine area to make it appear neater.
Set your price
One of the key reasons most people opt for used cars is to save money. So if you set an unreasonable price, chances are you’ll attract few or no customers.
Being able to value your car correctly might be challenging, especially if you’re selling privately.
Luckily, you don’t have to worry about this when you choose to sell to us. We have a fair pricing structure that takes into account the car’s make, model, its current condition, and mileage. Besides, having bought and sold thousands of vehicles for more than a decade, we have a preset market value for nearly every car. Contact us now for a quote!
Advertise the car
Of course, this applies if you’ve chosen a private selling arrangement. Usually, you should be ready to incur extra costs in paid ads, sale signs, web postings, etc. When done correctly, advertising is an excellent strategy for making your car more visible in the market.
When selling to a dealership, you won’t require any advertising. Just reach out to us, and if your car meets our requirements, you could walk away with a check in an hour or less.
Focus more on the positives
Selling a car that needs work is never going to be easy, but overstressing that fact could make it even tougher to get a buyer. If your car is moving, it certainly will have some parts and systems that are in good condition, including those you repaired or replaced recently. Focus more on these positives when selling the car.
Some buyers will get convinced by what you tell them, but others might not. So be prepared to back your claims with solid proofs. For example, you should have receipts or some forms of evidence for recent repairs and replacements. A mechanic’s report detailing the current condition of the car is also a great place to start!
Set up a meeting date
Very few people will buy a used car without seeing and test-driving it first. As such, be ready to meet multiple potential buyers if you’ve made up your mind to sell it privately. Also, you might need to polish your phone call skills as you’re sure to engage lots of prospects during this time
Here are a few precautions to take during meetings with prospective buyers:
- Meet at an open public place such as a parking lot in town. Avoid meeting people at your home or theirs.
- Before allowing for test driving, ask for a copy of the potential buyer’s driving license. Also, drive along with them.
- Do not lie about or dodge questions asked by the potential buyer during the meeting.
Be open to price negotiations
It’s a fundamental human nature to try and bargain for most things, so expect some little “pull and push” game when you meet serious buyers. A caveat though is you’ll likely meet many tire kickers in the process. It’s essential to find ways to weed out those so you can minimize frustrations and time wastage.
A great strategy to use here is to let the buyer name their best price; if it’s rudely low or too good to be true, ignore and move on to the next person.
Only engage buyers who show a willingness to match or come close to the offer in your ad. After agreeing on the price, choose a payment method that works for both of you. But that’s not all. Head over to the DMV to submit all the necessary paperwork and initiate an official transfer of car ownership.
Final remarks
Selling a car that needs repairs doesn’t have to be a tedious process. There are hundreds of potential buyers looking for used cars in Texas every day. All you need is to decide the selling method that best works for you, be honest about the condition of the car, and set a reasonable price for it.
Better still, you can reach out to us for a quick deal that eliminates all the hassles involved in selling a car that needs work. We’re the best car dealership in Houston, TX and we guarantee to give you a matchless offer, better than any you’ll find on Carmax, VROOM, or Texas Direct Auto. We’ve been serving Austin, San Antonio, and Houston for over a decade now – another reason to trust us!
So what are you waiting for? Book your appointment now by filling out the form below or call us on 713-660-8666 for an instant cash deal!