Preparation

Properly cleaning your car before sale can add hundreds of rands to its value. That doesn't mean just driving it through a car wash - you need to pay more attention to detail. That could mean paying R110 to R250 to have it professionally valeted, or you could do it yourself.If you decide to do the work, buy some decent car shampoo and a decent polish. See this as an investment; R100 spent on the right products, plus a bit of elbow grease, could see your car's value increase by several hundred pounds.

Hose the car down then with the bodywork already wet, hand wash the panels using a sponge and some soapy water. Don't use washing up liquid as it smears and don't hose down the engine bay as you might damage the electrical systems. Once you've cleaned the outer panels focus on:

    The wheels
    The wheel arches
    The door shuts

Once you've washed everything, leather down the bodywork and glass, to get rid of any drying out marks. While the car dries out, turn your attention to the interior.

    Vacuum the carpets and seats
    Empty the ash trays
    Remove any rubbish in the boot and glove box

Wipe over the dashboard and trim panels with a damp cloth and if the headlining or seats are dirty, clean them with a mixture of upholstery cleaner and warm water. While the interior dries out, you can then finish off by applying a coat of polish to the bodywork, which will help to keep your car clean for a few weeks.

Place ad

Advertising your car on Cargrab.co.za is quick and easy, but if you don't use the best wording or you ask too much for the car, you'll get a limited response. Here's how to create a great advert.

Start by working out how much to ask for your car. Price it too low and you'll lose money, but price it too high and you'll get no interest. The key is to price it just above what you'll accept, leaving room to haggle - everyone likes to think they're getting a bargain.

You can get your car valued on Cargrab.co.za, for just R65. This gives you a tailored value, for your car specifically, but it's also worth looking at what other people are asking for their cars. A quick look through our listings will help you set the price effectively. When setting the price, take into consideration the mileage, derivative and overall condition of your car.

Viewings

Selling a car can be a daunting prospect, but by knowing what to expect, you can avoid being caught out by experienced hagglers, time wasters or criminals. Follow these steps to make sure you're not caught out.

1. Don't let a buyer go out alone, as they might not come back
2. Check they have adequate insurance cover, or you could be liable for any accidents
3. Keep a close friend or relative with you - especially if you're selling
4. Always keep the keys on you when swapping seats or getting out of the car
5. Let buyers follow their own route, as many are suspicious if you dictate which roads to take

Buyers will probably be keen to haggle on your asking price. You need to be firm, without being unreasonable; set a price beforehand and keep it in your head during negotiations. While this price in your mind should be the lowest you're prepared to sell the car for, don't decline a sale over a R5000 difference in your lowest and their highest offer. It'll cost you far more in re-advertising fees, time and hassle.

The Sale

In an ideal world, you'd be paid cash during office hours which you'd pay in immediately, but this isn't always possible. If you do receive cash, try to get it handed over in a bank, so you can pay it in immediately and the cashier can check for fake notes. If your buyer gives you cash outside banking hours, pay it in as soon as possible.

A far better way is electronic transfer. It allows you to transfer funds online, but it can take a few days, so don't release the car until the bank tells you the funds have been successfully transferred.

Personal cheques and bank or building society cheques can cause problems. Personal cheques can be cancelled or issued without the available funds in the account, so if you've already handed over the car, you could be left seriously out of pocket. Despite common belief, bank or building society cheques aren't as good as cash; forged cheques are common.