Knowing your car’s value and being prepared to negotiate can help you stay in control and secure a fair deal without the stress.
Published: 21 Mar 2017 Last updated: 03 Jul 20263 mins read
By Aviva Ireland
Key points:
A well-presented, road-ready car can help you attract buyers more quickly and build trust.
Having documents, tax, and NCT sorted can makes selling process smoother and more appealing to buyers.
Clear photos and honest details can help your ad stand out from the crowd.
Make a strong first impression when selling your car
We’ve compiled a list of 9 top tips to make sure you get the best deal possible with a quick and easy process when preparing your car for sale in Ireland.
1. Fix minor faults
It’s a good idea to fix all minor faults before selling your car. A new buyer will be far more inclined to buy a car that they can drive right away and will also be more likely to pay a higher price for it.
2. Clean it! Inside and out
Make sure that the car is washed and that the interior is clean before allowing any prospective buyers to view it. A buyer will be more likely to pay a higher price for a car that has been well looked after. If they suspect that the car has not been cared for correctly, they will be more likely to negotiate harder.
3. Find its value
It’s important to get an idea of how much your car is actually worth before attempting to sell it. Knowing will help you to set a realistic price. There are many online services that will generate an estimated price based on your car details and the information on their database.
4. Do your homework
It’s good to know all you can about your car before trying to sell it as there really is nothing more valuable than knowledge when it comes to car sales.
5. Get an NCT
It’s important that your car has an NCT certificate when it comes to selling it. An NCT certificate proves that at the time of testing, your car was road worthy. Having a valid NCT will greatly improve your chances of getting a good price. All cars that are four years and older must undergo an NCT. For cars younger than 10 years, an NCT must be carried out every two years and every year for cars older than 10 years.
6. Display your tax disk
A buyer will be much more inclined to buy a car that has a tax disk that is valid for at least three months. It will also greatly improve your chances of getting a better price when selling your car.
7. Provide good pictures
It’s important to provide pictures, taken in daylight to get buyers interested in your car. Provide pictures of your car from all angles, inside and out. This will let the buyer know that you are not trying to hide anything.
8. Prepare to negotiate on price
Negotiating is part of selling a car, so it is important to be prepared. You should keep the lowest price that you are willing to settle for in mind before you start negotiating.
9. Be prepared to say no
If the buyer is not offering what the car is worth, say no. It’s important not to go below your ideal price when selling your car.
1. Offer of 15% discount only applies to new car insurance policies bought online. Acceptance criteria, terms and conditions apply. Subject to a minimum premium of €310 for car insurance. Aviva reserves the right to withdraw, suspend or amend this offer or any of the terms and conditions there of at any time without prior notice.
Car insurance is underwritten by Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC.
Aviva Direct Ireland Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. A private company limited by shares. Registered in Ireland No 374895. Registered Office: Cherrywood Business Park, Dublin, Ireland, D18 W2P5.
