Selling Your Car for the First Time? Here's What No One Tells You

Selling your used car for the first time feels exciting. It also feels confusing. There are documents to arrange, buyers to deal with, prices to decide, and many small steps that no one explains clearly.

If you are selling your pre owned car for the first time, you deserve a smooth and confident experience. So, before you put up that listing or talk to buyers, here is what no one tells you, but everyone wishes they knew earlier.

Prepare Before Listing The Car

Most people think selling a 2nd hand car starts when you upload photos online. It actually starts much earlier. Get your car inspected at a trusted workshop. Fix small things like lights, wipers, basic service items, and interior cleaning. These quick touches can make your car feel well-maintained and ready for a buyer. As for the documentation, you will need:

• Registration Certificate (RC)
• Insurance papers
• Pollution certificate
• Invoice and service history
• Both Keys
• Service History

Good Photos Make A Big Difference

Anyone who is searching for a pre-owned car online, check for its photos. The used cars which have the most detailed photos often get the most enquiries.

For the best photos of your car, you need to park your car in natural daylight in an open area. Take the photos as mentioned below.

• Isometric view from the front
• Isometric view from the rear
• Front view
• Both side views
• Rear view
• Close-up views of bumpers, bonnets, fenders, doors, quarter panels
• Interior photos showcasing the seats, central console and dashboard
• Instrument cluster with focus on the odometer reading
• Engine bay and battery
• Wheels and Tyres
• CNG cylinder (if installed)

A detailed set of photos of your car will entice buyers’ interest, and you can get many more enquiries. High-quality photos usually help you sell your car faster.

Price The Car Reasonably

It is common for most first-time car sellers to ask for a high price for their old cars. It is mostly to get better value for the car, along with the resources you might have spent on the upkeep of the vehicle. However, buyers browse through many listings on the internet, and they understand the worth of car models of a certain age and mileage.

If you price your car too high, there would be fewer enquiries, and it might take a lot of time to get enough calls to finalise a deal. Hence, it is advised to check online car resale value calculators and browse through multiple listings on the internet and then decide the price that would be fair for your 2nd hand car.

It is natural, because you love your car. But buyers look at many listings. They know the market. If you price too high, they are generally not interested.

Check prices of similar models. Use online valuation tools. If your 2nd hand car has low kilometres and a full service record, you can ask slightly higher. If it has high kilometres or repairs, stay realistic. A fairly priced used car sells fast. A price based on minimal research makes the used car sit online for weeks.

Be Honest About The Car

Every used car has its fair share of wear and tear. With time and continuous running, various components of the engine, including engine parts, brakes, suspension, tyres, etc., experience consistent wear and tear. Some parts require quicker replacement than others; hence, everything must be mentioned.

It is essential to record all the service and repair bills as it maintains transparency and boosts the confidence of the buyers, and helps in closing the deal faster.

Online Platforms Make It Easier To Sell Your Car

Selling your car in the traditional way means taking calls, handling strangers, and spending hours on test drives. Nowadays, you can find a trusted used car platform like CARS24 that can inspect your car, offer the best price, handle all the paperwork for you and transfer the payment into your bank account. All this can be done in a single day as well, provided you have all the car’s documents handy.

For first-time used car sellers, online marketplaces become helpful and take away all your burden of selling the old car. It is also safer, quicker, and much less stressful to say bye-bye to your car. You do not have to deal with any random buyers or complicated paperwork that follows.

Do Not Forget The RC Transfer

After selling the used car, you must transfer the RC to the buyer's name. If you skip this, any future challans or incidents will still be linked to you. If you sell directly, go to the Parivahan website or visit your RTO to initiate the transfer. If you sell through a platform, they will handle it for you. Also, remember to transfer or cancel your insurance within 14 days. It is a legal requirement.

Handle Negotiation Confidently

Buyers will negotiate for the best deal. It is absolutely normal. Decide on your final price in your mind before discussing. Keep a small margin above it. That way, you have space to reduce slightly. Be polite but firm. If someone offers a very low price, you can simply say that you have done your research and the price fairly reflects the condition.

Checklist Before Handing Over Car Keys

Before your old car leaves your home:

• Remove all personal belongings
• Take a signed delivery receipt
• Ensure money is in your account
• Keep copies of documents related to RC transfer

These small things protect you in the future.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the best thing to do is to stay completely honest about the condition of the car because modern car inspections can reveal things that you try to hide. This will reduce not only the car’s value but your reputation as well. Selling your 2nd hand car for the first time is a new experience for most sellers. With the right preparation and the right information, it becomes simple and stress-free. You can also stay worry-free by selling your car to online used car marketplaces and get the best price for your car.