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10 tips for selling your car

Whether you've outgrown your clunker or need a ride to accommodate your family,  selling your car for cash online is a good way to guarantee a great price, provided you’re prepared.
 
OLX Africa’s head of marketing Bronwyn Johnson, shares advice to ensure the best deal for your vehicle:

TOP TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR CAR

1 PAPERWORK: Make sure that you have your paperwork in order as this will reassure the potential buyer and prevent delays and disagreements. Ensure the buyer signs an offer to purchase and agrees on the price and the condition of the car. Both parties should sign and keep a copy.

2 ROADWORTHY: Every vehicle must pass a roadworthy test before being licensed. Provide your vehicle’s roadworthy certificate to potential buyers. You'll need to hand over the original registration papers. If the vehicle is still being paid off, you will need to arrange for the papers with your bank. Also, check that there are no outstanding fines attached to the vehicle and pay them.

3 PREPARING YOUR CAR:
De-clutter your glove compartment and leave only the owner's manual and registration papers inside. Check all switches and lights to make sure they are functioning and that the aircon and sunroof are working. Empty the boot, check the oil and water and make sure your car is washed and waxed.

4 MEETING THE BUYER: It is very important to meet somewhere public when showing the buyer the car. Meeting outside a police station or in an area with surveillance cameras is a good idea. For added security have a family member or friend accompany you. Make sure your insurance covers the buyer who will test drive the vehicle. Do not allow potential buyers to test drive the car alone.

5 BE HONEST: It’s important that you disclose the full condition of the car, including its service history and any accidents that it may have been in. With the new consumer protection act (CPA) in place, there is no room for sneaky or sloppy sellers in South Africa.

SEALING THE DEAL

6 PRICE IT RIGHT:
You probably have an idea of what you would like to get for your car but the only way to know you are pricing it right is to do your research. Check online for comparable vehicles and prices.

7 POSTING YOUR AD: Mention the brand name, model and year of the car and include a detailed description and mention all extras as this helps people to compare it with other ads for similar products and make an informed choice. Don't forget to give alternative methods of contact and at least one contact number. Post plenty of interior and exterior image of your vehicle.
 
8 PAYMENT: Avoid receiving payment by cheque as they are very easy to forge and often bounce. Receiving large sums of cash is also not a good idea unless you hand over the money at the bank where it can be counted and deposited.   An electronic funds transfer (EFT) is a good payment method as long as you make sure that the money clears in your bank account before you hand over your car.

9 PAYMENT DELAYED? If the buyer needs to make arrangements to pay, it is customary to ask for a deposit once an agreement has been reached. Requesting 10% of the asking price is acceptable.

10 SEALING THE DEAL: The last form you need to fill out as the seller is one that will de-register the vehicle from your name, which you can obtain at your local traffic department.
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