Listing a car for sale is easier than ever, thanks to online channels that allow you to list your used vehicle quickly and seamlessly. One of the downsides of this, however, is that there are millions of used cars for sale at any given time.
How are you supposed to make your used car and your ad stand out in this environment?
Take a Shortcut: Sell Directly
If you’re looking for a shortcut, you’re in luck: you can now sell your vehicle directly to a private buyer. Once you find a trustworthy platform to handle your transaction, all you’ll need to do is enter a few details about your existing vehicle, and in return, you’ll get an offer to buy it. You’ll need to review the conditions of the offer carefully, of course, but this immediate offer should stand as long as your vehicle is in decent condition.
Depending on the terms of the arrangement, you may be able to drop off the vehicle or have it picked up. Once the transaction is finalized, you’ll be entitled to the offer money. It’s a fast, convenient way to get cash for your vehicle, hypothetically allowing you to completely bypass the need for marketing and advertising.
Preparing Your Vehicle (and Yourself)
If you decide that a direct sale isn’t for you, you should spend some time preparing your vehicle and yourself for the listing.
- Do your research. Do some due diligence so you understand the value and condition of your vehicle, as well as the state of the market. Your research should help you price your vehicle competitively, choose the right platform for your listing, and develop a strategy for fine-tuning the classified ad.
- Fix minor damage. Unless you plan on selling your vehicle as is, it’s a good idea to fix minor points of damage or issues that could give prospective buyers cause for concern. For example, you can patch up cosmetic issues or put on new tires.
- Clean up (inside and out). A clean vehicle is much more likely to sell, so spend some time cleaning up the inside and outside of the vehicle. Get rid of any clutter and debris, vacuum out the inside, and take the car through the car wash to make it look its best.
- Take great photos. High-quality car photos can instantly elevate your car ad. Accordingly, you should consider paying for professional photography to make your listing stand out. If that doesn’t fit with your plan, at least commit to following photography best practices with quality equipment to improve the quality of your photos.
How to Make a Car for Sale Listing Stand Out
These are strategies that can help you make your car listing stand out:
- Know your target audience. Understand who your target audience is and how they’re probably going to approach this decision. For example, if you’re selling a sports car, you’re probably appealing to collectors and motor enthusiasts, who will have a totally different set of priorities than young couples eager for a stable, reliable family car. Keep this in mind when writing your description.
- List the greatest strengths. Highlight the greatest strengths of this vehicle. Does its high fuel economy help you save money on gas? Is it exceptionally maneuverable for a vehicle of this class? Does it have more interior room and storage space than comparable models? Draw people in with exciting descriptions.
- Explain your motivation for selling. Take a moment to explain your motivation for selling. If you don’t, people may guess that the vehicle has underperformed or disappointed you in some way.
- Transparently disclose issues and modifications. Similarly, you should be as transparent as possible when disclosing issues and listing modifications. Yes, some issues and modifications will make your vehicle less appealing, but proactive, transparent disclosure can build trust and help people look past these ultimately small problems.
- Inject some levity. Humor can be powerful for both persuasion and memorability – making it an impressive tool for boosting the impact of your car ad. Most car ads on the market are understandably plain and somewhat repetitive, so you’ll stand out if you include some more personality in yours.
- Proofread the ad. Finally come on take a moment to proofread the ad for grammar, spelling, and syntax. You don’t need to have perfect spelling to sell a car successfully, but it helps prospective buyers take your ad more seriously.
Selling cars online is an increasingly competitive field, in part because it’s easier and cheaper than ever to do it. But if you’re willing to do some proactive work, and make a concentrated effort to distinguish your listing, you can stand out and help your car sell faster.
