Tips for selling your used car

As the economy struggles to find a rhythm, many are stretching dollars as if they were rubber bands.

While some are cutting back on spending all together, others are looking for their possessions and investments to generate a supplementary income. For those who own a car, the used-car market offers an opportunity to turn a profit from your old auto. Through proper car maintenance, and a little common sense, you can generate the maximum amount of profit for your used vehicle.

Not every car owner is concerned with everyday auto maintenance. And like life, with cars, it's the little things that count. The scratch your ex put on the door may only cost $50 to fix, but costs you hundreds when you sell. The dust that symbolizes the weekend you spent two-tracking, only symbolizes dirt, disrepair, and $200 less than your asking price to a potential buyer.

But before you sell your car, there are few steps you should take in order to insure that the car will be sold for the highest possible price—a price which could meet, or exceed, the Kelly Blue Book Value.

Of all the cars that are available, at any given moment, there is at least a few thousand of each for sale. So if you want your car to stand out, it has to look as if it has been taken care of.

Taking your car to a local auto body shop, prior to putting it on the market, helps to insure maximum profit. It says to the buyer that this car has been maintained well, which translates into a higher sales price.

You can have most dings fixed for less than $100, and dent removal systems are available at local retailers for about the same price. But on-line shopping usually means you can find the same tools and services for cheaper if you don’t mind waiting for shipping.

Next, in spite of being a minor traffic violation, a cracked windshield lowers the potential amount of money one can get for a used auto. Many cities have mobile windshield repair shops, but often, the service isn't covered by insurance. So obtain your windshield repair from a certified specialist. The service is completed usually within an hour and most providers can come to you (certified windshield repair shops usually have a print and scan system, so even if they come to you, they can provide the necessary paperwork for your insurer). This includes viewing mirrors, which, if aren't covered by windshield specialist, can be found at the junkyard.

The most important item on a car is the tire set. Tires are the medium by which your car communicates with the road. Bald tires not only hamper a car's performance, but they also make a car look worn and ugly. A tire, with a nice tread, adds not only to the sales price, but improves performance (when being test driven).

A set of new tires can be bought for under $100. Even slightly used (certified) tires will suffice for getting more money for your used car.

Still, even though the outside of the car is gleaming, one still should get the interior detailed and have the car buffed and waxed. Home car kits are available at your local car-parts store and cost around $20.

Keep the receipts for the tires and any other mechanical work you have done—these can be used to validate your asking price to a curious consumer. Most people are taught to haggle down, so being in possession of receipts helps to assure the buyer that the car is worth the price. Do not included ‘OBO’ in your add; stay committed to the amount of cash you need.

Finally, purchase a money-marker and only accept cash. Money markers are available at print shops and local grocers for less than three dollars, normally. Drive with all potential buyers who want to test drive, and review identification before purchase is finalized.

People who have chosen to sell their auto should provide a Car Fax report, also. This too, should be added to the price. When you include all of these ‘perks’ for an interested buyer, your car immediately stands out among the photos that pop up on a Google search or a scan of local used car adds. All of this equates to one thing: more money. And in an economy that hasn’t found it’s footing, more money can’t hurt.

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