Selling tips

Research shows fewer enthusiasts, less desire for sexy cars, but a creep from used to new.

There are a few simple things to remember and steps to take, that will make the experience easier and assist you in avoiding being ripped-off.1. Set your budgetWork out how much you can afford to spend, and don’t forget to include registration, insurance and regular maintenance and running costs. Both for insurance, and if you’re going to get a loan, shop around to get the best rate.2. Do your researchIt's important to have a thorough look at what’s out there before buying a used car. To get an idea of a model’s current market price, spend some time searching our used car ads online or in your local newspaper. Also check out our price guide to help you avoid paying too much.Be wary if you find a used car where the price is much lower than the market suggests it should be. If you’re determined to take it further, have the car checked thoroughly. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.3. Find the right carBrowse cars by body type, make or price  to find out which make and model might suit youGo window shopping by make and model, age, location… and all kinds of other helpful detailsRead our expert reviews of the car you’re looking forCheck the latest car news to see if a new model is coming -- which can reduce the price of previous models when it arrives.4. Contact the sellerAnd when you do, don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions…- how long have they had the car- why are they selling it- has it ever been damaged- what condition is it in- will it meet a RWC- does it have any `bad habits’5. Looking at the carIf the seller is a private party rather than a dealer, always go to their home address. Don’t arrange to meet them somewhere. Check that the home address is the same as the one on the registration certificate. Take a printout or copy of the seller’s advertisement with you to check that details like the odometer numbers are accurate.6. Check the car’s historyNo matter how genuine the seller seems, you should check the history of the car to make sure it’s not stolen, encumbered by an outstanding loan, or even a previous write-off. Get the car’s VIN number and check against the databases in the state in which it’s registered. For a small fee (free in some states), this simple step could save you a lot of money and problems.New South Wales, ACT and Northern TerritoryVictoria and TasmaniaQueenslandSouth AustraliaWestern Australia7. Checking the carMake sure you have a thorough look over the car yourself, and best of all, have an independent mechanic or automotive centre check it out properly on a hoist. It could save you thousands by revealing mechanical problems and previous damage.- always look at the car in full daylight, never in the dark or in rain that could conceal body marks, dents, rust and other defects- check under the car, the bonnet and the interior carpet for rust and signs – such as welding marks -- which may show the car has been in a crash- under the bonnet, look for signs of oil leaks on top of the engine, and underneath. Use the dipstick to check the amount of oil. If the level is low, the owner hasn’t been looking after the car properly- look around the oil filler cap for a white mayonnaise-like substance - this is an indication of a damaged head gasket which can be very expensive to put right- take a look at the tyres to make sure they’re in good condition with plenty of tread- get down in front of each front wheel and look along the length of the car. Both front wheels should be directly in front of the rear ones – if they're not, it could mean the car has been in a crash and ended up with a slightly twisted or `crabbed’ chassis- check the gaps between the body panels are equal – if they're not, the car could have been refitted badly, or may have been in a crash- inside the car, make sure the seatbelts work correctly, the steering wheel and dashboard are bolted on correctly, the front seats move properly and all switches work- start the car with a cold engine, which will make is easier to reveal problems like poor starting or too much smoke8. Test drive the car- before you set off, turn the steering wheel from one lock to the other to make sure there is no screeching, banging, or knocking- to test the handbrake, pull it on and then try to drive off very gently. It should hold the car back- listen for strange noises from the engine, and don’t let the seller distract you by talking or turning up the radio- drive on as many different roads surfaces as possible- use all the gears, and check the gear change is slick and smooth- make sure the clutch pedal 'bites' between the top and middle of the pedal's travel9. Negotiating the priceThe price is the price, but there’s often leeway for bargaining.- Make a list of any faults you found with the car, or any work that might need doing, and calculate how much this could add to the price.- From this position, negotiate the price with the seller.- Ask the seller what their best price is, make a lower offer and then say nothing. They can only either turn you down, accept your offer or name another price closer to yours.10. Paperwork and payment- Make sure all the paperwork is in order, and that you have original versions (never photocopies) everything … registration papers, service history and logbook- If you’re making a payment or even just a deposit, get a receipt and make sure the seller’s full details are on itNever ... and we mean never ... give or send a seller money without seeing the car, or without getting a receipt with all the details.  Scammers may ask you to send money by Western Union, Moneygram or other risky methods, or even through an address pretending to be Carsguide. Do not send them the money, and contact Carsguide immediately to report any seller you feel is a fraud. Carsguide does not act as an agent in handling buyer and sellers money, so any request to do this should be treated suspiciously.    

When we recently wanted to trade-in our 2004 Hyundai Getz it was valued at $1500 because, we were told, of hail damage. We'd paid $10,000 for it in 2010 and were not told then it was hail damaged. If we had known that it had been hail damaged we would not have purchased this car. What can we do about this?

Carsguide research shows that while both males and females research cars before buying, the information they value varies.  "Female buyers are more interested in how-to content, running costs, data comparisons and advice on what car might suit their needs," Carsguide publisher Sue Klose says. "Male car shoppers show greater interest in new car reviews, gadgets and futuristic cars."Giving a glimpse into just some of the research she will reveal in a key address to the Australian Automobile Dealers Association (AADA) national convention next month, Klose says there are crucial points that appeal to car buyers, depending not only on gender but age and profession."Age is directly correlated to interest in certain types of content," Klose says. "Car buyers who are newer to the process show higher interest in the more practical features that will guide them through the process. "Older car buyers show particular interest in new car reviews related to their higher propensity to buy new cars."Klose says that even differing sources of reviews can be an important point across age groups.  "One interesting finding is that buyers between 18 and 55 are equally likely to value reviews by other car owners, along with professional reviews," Klose says."Buyers instinctively understand that the owners' point of view is different from a professional reviewer, as owners best place to describe the car over the long-term.  "Ratings for user reviews tend to be slightly lower than for professional reviews, but are still quite high across nearly all segments."At the AADA convention - being held on the Gold Coast from September 9-12 - Klose will elaborate further on research into what kind of cars the different age and gender groups are looking for, how that affects their researching and buying habits - and even the impact of their postcode.  Also speaking will be international keynote speaker Tom Hopkins, whose world-leading sales training has delivered impressive sales results to businesses throughout the world for over 35 years.  The author of How to Master the Art of Selling, which has sold over 1.3 million copies in 10 languages, the American real estate magnate and sales trainer will spend a full day revealing his proven techniques, ideas, concepts and values as they apply to selling cars.And on the lighter side of the convention, delegates will be entertained by a top line-up, including pop legend Normie Rowe and comedians Jean Kittson and Shane 'Kenny' Jacobsen.  Full details are available at www.aadaconvention.com.au.

I'M THINKING of selling my HT Holden Brougham. It has a 308 V8 motor that has done only 10000km, Powerglide automatic transmission and banjo diff, electric windows, power steering, T-bar shifter, centre console and bucket seats. The interior, with the exception of the driver's seat, is in great condition. The body and paint needs restoration, but the body is in reasonable condition for its age. It has had two owners, including me, and I have had it for the past 20 years. What do you think it is worth?

WHAT might I reasonably expect for my 2003 Fairmont sedan? It has done 24,300km and is in very good condition with leather trim and tinted windows. It has been rustproofed and the paint has a protective coat.

I AM ashamed to admit that I failed to negotiate a car park exit correctly and our 2000 V8 Holden Caprice sustained some minor panel damage to the front and a few scrapes and a tiny dent to the back door. The leather interior is in excellent condition, the car has been fully maintained and most of the kilometres are from distance driving. Is it cost-effective to repair this cosmetic damage before we sell?

I OWN a 2000 Toyota Camry station wagon, one of the last Camry wagons made, and I've been told they are hard to find. I enjoy it and would like to keep it, but was wondering if you think it will go up in value in the future?

I WANT to sell my 1998 Daihatsu Charade five-door hatch and would like to know what I should ask for it in a private sale? It will have done 103,000km when I sell it. It has an auto transmission, power steering, two new tyres and nine months' registration. I have owned it from new, had it regularly serviced and it's in excellent condition. It is almost due for its 100,000km service, but because this is costly, I do not want to do it given that I am about to sell the car. Will I be safe driving around in it for another 3000km or more?

I WOULD like to know how much my 2003 Ford XR8 is worth if I sell it privately. It is Lightning Strike in colour, has done low kms and is fitted with alloy wheels, leather interior and with overhead DVD player and six-disc CD player. I was thinking of asking $46,500.