How to Get Your Car Ready to Sell

Ready to upgrade your vehicle? Congratulations!

Buying a new vehicle is exciting, but first, you have to sell the one you own. The good news is, it doesn't have to be a grueling process. Doing a few simple things before you sell can make all the difference.

Here's how to get your car ready to sell:

Audit the vehicle's overall health

First and foremost, you'll need to complete a full audit of your vehicle's health. Your buyer doesn't want to buy a car without knowing what's under the hood, and you don't want to be part of a dishonest sale. Plus, knowing exactly what's happening with your car — and making any necessary repairs — will help you set the best possible price point.

Plan on making a few small repairs. You can start by installing a vehicle health monitor, which is an affordable alternative to visiting a mechanic and allows you to work on your vehicle on your own time. Use it to check your oil, your engine health, your tire pressure and more. You can monitor and export your vehicle's vitals, so you and your buyer know you're getting a fair deal.

Gather the necessary paperwork

Selling your car should be as simple as possible, for you and the buyer. That means all the necessary paperwork should be obtained, organized and duplicated for both of your records.

First, you'll need the car's title, or the pink slip. This gives you the right to sell the vehicle. This should be the last thing you sign, however.

You'll also want the lender's permission if you're still paying off the car, or the lien release if you've fulfilled your payments. These documents will clear you of any legal or financial obligations.  

Next, find or request your vehicle's history reports and any relevant repair receipts to quell your buyer's fears. You can find these by contacting your mechanic and using websites like Carfax or AutoDNA.

Finally, check with your state's DMV to make sure there's nothing else you or the buyer needs to sign.

Make a few affordable, modern upgrades

Let's face it: You're selling in a competitive market. There are a lot of fancy cars out there, and yours will need to stick out. Installing a few modern gadgets can bring your vehicle to the forefront of any search.

Take this GPS Car Charger, for example. By plugging it in, users can immediately charge their phones or other devices twice as quickly as normal. They'll also be able to find the car in a crowded parking lot, log their mileage, and monitor the car's battery health.

A wireless car backup camera is another easy tool that can make driving a safer and more comfortable experience. It can also make your car much more marketable. This easy-to-install model features a 170-degree wide-angle lens, which is 30-degrees wider than the traditional 140-degree camera, so it takes the worry out of backing up and provides any driver with safer riding experience. Plus, it's four times clearer than standard cameras, and all you need to use it is a smartphone.

Making these few tweaks and upgrades can help your car’s value increase, and in turn, increase the amount you can ask for it.