It is a good decision to sell a used car through an online classified ad as you will then have the opportunity to reach a very much larger audience of prospective buyers. You will certainly not be able to get your message across to such a large number of buyers relying on traditional advertising methods. Most people search the web for used cars. If your car is not listed in a used car classifieds site in addition to newspapers, you could have a tough time selling your car. For you to successfully sell your used car through online ad, you need to do a few things so that your efforts are not wasted.

The first thing is to determine your asking price and the best way to arrive at the right price is to consult a car values book, and other existing online classified car ads for similar vehicles. You may also consider taking your car to a lot to see what a dealer would offer, and then incorporate all of this information into your asking price when you post your ad.

Make sure that your ad contains all information regarding the body style, model, and year of your used car, as well as the engine size, color, and mileage. If the car has any minor defects, make it a point not to suppress them as the buyer will in any case find that out while he inspects your vehicle. Catchy phrases and positive aspects of the used car such as single owner, fuel economy, well maintained, and low mileage will create the required impact on the ad readers more than comments about any imperfections that can be easily fixed.

After you have arrived at a realistic price in conformity with market norms and posted an effectively worded ad, the next step is to prepare your vehicle for sale. Have your car professionally cleaned and try to keep it in as presentable a condition as possible. Instead of spending money on major repairs, which will likely cost you more than the price that you will receive for the car, be honest about the condition of your car, both while writing the ad as well as when the buyer visits you.

Once your ad is posted and your car is ready, it is time to wait for the calls and email inquiries to start rolling in. If the prospective buyer is late or does not show up, do not feel obligated to wait or hold the car for them, just move on to the next person. Check the title transfer procedures and the statutory requirements for your state before you transfer physical ownership of the car, and always demand payment in cash or by certified check to avoid problems.

There are a few more tips for selling your car online. Include a photo of your car in the ad as that will create a lot of impact on the intending buyer. When car shopping, buyers view a plethora of ads and are likely to remember the ads that are attractively worded. Pricing your vehicle competitively is a must. Check prices of similar vehicles on the site and visit the sites below to find the book value of your car. This is what your vehicle is competing against.

It is critical to keep records of all service and repairs performed on your vehicle. Maintenance records give the buyer proof and confidence of the vehicle’s maintenance history. This should include new tires, oil changes, engine repairs, etc.