Selling a car can be strangely emotional. It’s not just a chunk of metal and tyres—it’s your Friday night escape pod, your road trip hero, your partner in daily chaos. So when it’s time to let it go, things get a little weird. Where do you start? What do you even need to know? And how do you avoid getting lowballed into oblivion?
Let go of the sentimental stuff
First things first—ditch the nostalgia. Buyers don’t care about that time your car saved you from a freak hailstorm. They care about clean interiors, low kilometres, and whether the air con works when it’s 35 degrees outside.
The best way to start is to give it a proper clean. Vacuum every crevice, wipe down the dash, and scrub the tyres until they look brand new. If it smells even a little funky, buyers will notice. Chuck in an air freshener. Trust me.
Photos can make or break it
Here’s where most people mess up—they take a couple of blurry photos in the dark and expect someone to come running with cash. No. You need clear, well-lit photos from multiple angles: front, back, both sides, interior, dashboard, odometer. Show off any cool features too—sunroof, leather seats, touchscreen stereo. If you’ve upgraded something, flaunt it.
And for the love of all that’s good, remove your stuff before taking the pictures. No one wants to see your parking pass from 2022 stuck to the windshield.
For more, check out some of these car photography tips from Adobe.
Be honest about the condition
It’s tempting to leave out that the left window only rolls down if you jiggle it just right. Or that the car pulls a bit to the left if you brake hard. Don’t. Buyers will find out, and you’ll just look dodgy.
Be upfront in your listing. If the car has quirks, say so. Weirdly enough, being honest can actually work in your favour. People appreciate transparency, and it makes you look more trustworthy.
Choose your price wisely
Here’s the trick: don’t aim for top dollar. Aim for fair. Check similar listings online and get a feel for what your make, model, and year are selling for. If you price it too high, no one will bother clicking. If you go too low, you’ll sell fast but hate yourself after.
There’s always someone who lists their 15-year-old car for $4,000 over market value because they “know what they’ve got.” Spoiler: they don’t. Don’t be that person.
Where you list it matters
Online marketplaces are your go-to these days. Just don’t copy-paste the same generic ad everywhere. Customise your listing to match the platform. Some sites attract more serious buyers, others are crawling with lowball offers. You’ll figure out quickly which ones are worth your time.
If you’re not keen on dealing with strangers, there are services out there that help with the sale—but they’ll usually take a cut.
Watch out for the dodgy stuff
This one’s important. Scams are everywhere. If someone messages you saying they’re “currently offshore” but really keen to buy sight unseen, run. If they offer to overpay and ask you to send the difference back—double run.
Always meet buyers in a public place. Preferably during the day. And never, ever hand over the keys until the money’s in your account and cleared. Not pending. Not “should be there soon.” Actually cleared.
Do the boring paperwork
Look, it’s annoying, but it has to be done. Fill out the transfer of ownership forms, cancel your rego (or transfer it), and sort out the insurance. The last thing you want is a speeding fine from a car you no longer own.
Some places let you do most of this online, which makes life easier. But double-check what’s required so it doesn’t come back to bite you.
Why timing makes a difference
Spring and early summer tend to be good times to sell. People are out and about more, and no one wants to buy a new car during a freezing downpour. If you’re flexible, try listing when demand is higher—you might just squeeze a little extra out of the deal.
And if you’re on a tight deadline, be realistic. A quick sale usually means shaving a bit off the price.
Know when to walk away
If you’re getting offers way below asking or the whole thing is starting to stress you out, don’t be afraid to pull the listing and try again later. Or take a different route altogether.
Some folks go the private sale route because they like control. Others are just after something simpler. If that’s you, it might make sense to sell your car online through a streamlined service like Vehicle Buying, instead of dealing with flaky messages at 10pm.
One last thing to think about
You don’t have to be a car expert to sell well, but it helps to stay calm and not let it overwhelm you. Do your homework. Be realistic. And don’t forget to breathe.
Selling isn’t always fun. But do it right, and you’ll drive off with more than just a bit of cash—you’ll leave behind one less thing to worry about.
Also Read: The Different Types of Car Accident Insurance Coverage
