How to Sell Your Car for the Best Price

The difference between a well-presented car and a poorly-presented one is easily $2,000-5,000. Same car, same km, same condition. Just better preparation, better photos, and a better listing. Here's how to do it right.

Step 1: Prepare the Car

This is where most people lose money. They list the car as-is with dog hair on the seats and a boot full of junk. Spend $200-400 on preparation and you'll get $2,000+ more at sale.

• Professional detail ($150-300). Interior shampoo, exterior polish, engine bay clean. Makes a 5-year-old car look 2 years newer. This is the single best ROI on any car sale preparation.
• Fix cheap cosmetic issues. Touch up paint chips ($20), replace worn wiper blades ($30), clean the headlights if they're foggy ($15 DIY kit). Buyers notice these things and use them to negotiate down.
• Get the service up to date. If you're close to a scheduled service, get it done. A car with the next service due is worth less than one that's just been serviced. Cost: $200-400. Value added: $500-1,000.
• Gather all paperwork. Service logbook, spare keys, owner's manual, registration papers, any aftermarket receipts. Buyers pay more when they can see the car's complete history.

Step 2: Price It Right

Overpricing is the most common mistake. Your car sits unsold for weeks, gets stale, and you end up dropping the price below what you would have got if you'd priced it correctly from the start.

• Research comparable listings. Search for your exact make, model, year on CarSorted and other platforms. Note the asking prices for cars with similar km.
• Price at the market or slightly below. The first week of a listing gets the most views. Price competitively to get enquiries fast.
• Factor in your car's condition honestly. Full service history adds $2,000-5,000. Low km (under average) adds value. High km, accident history, or missing service records reduce it.
• Leave negotiation room. Price 5-8% above your minimum acceptable price. Every buyer will negotiate.

Step 3: Take Great Photos

Photos sell cars. Bad photos lose buyers before they even read the description.

• Clean the car first. No exceptions. A dirty car in photos tells the buyer "this person didn't care about this car."
• Shoot in natural light. Early morning or late afternoon. Avoid harsh midday shadows. Overcast days are actually the best for car photos.
• Show the exterior from all 4 corners plus front and rear straight on. That's 6 exterior shots minimum.
• Interior: dashboard, rear seats, boot, odometer. Show the infotainment screen, the boot space, and a close-up of the km reading.
• Show any damage honestly. Buyers respect transparency. If there's a scratch, photograph it. They'll find it during inspection anyway, and hiding it destroys trust.
• 15-20 photos is the sweet spot. More than 5, fewer than 30.

Step 4: Write a Good Listing

Lead with the facts. Year, make, model, km, condition. Then the features and reason for selling.

• Include: Year, make, model, variant, km, rego expiry, service history status, any aftermarket modifications, reason for sale
• Mention the running costs. "Uses 4.8L/100km, costs about $25/week in fuel." Buyers love knowing the ongoing cost is low.
• Be honest about issues. "Small stone chip on windscreen, doesn't affect vision." Honesty builds trust and prevents wasted inspections.
• Skip the sales talk. "Must be seen to be appreciated" and "reluctant sale" are meaningless. Stick to facts.

Step 5: List in the Right Places

• CarSorted - free, no commission, reaches buyers who are already comparing cars
• Facebook Marketplace - free, huge audience, but more tyre-kickers
• Carsales - $10-80 per listing depending on package. Largest audience but not free.
• Gumtree - free, but lower buyer quality. Good for cheaper cars.

List on multiple platforms simultaneously. Remove listings promptly once sold.

Step 6: Handle Enquiries and Inspections

• Respond fast. The buyer who enquires at 7pm is comparing 3 cars. If you respond in 10 minutes, you win. If you respond tomorrow morning, they've already gone elsewhere.
• Meet in a safe public location. Shopping centre car park, police station, or your own driveway in daylight. Never meet alone in an isolated spot.
• Let them test drive but go with them, hold their licence, and ensure your insurance covers other drivers.
• Accept bank transfer, not cash for amounts over $2,000. Carry cash for change but don't accept $20,000 in notes. Bank transfer is traceable and safer.

Private Sale vs Trade-In

Example based on a $30,000 market-value car. Actual prices depend on condition, demand, and negotiation.

Ready to sell? List your car for free on CarSorted. No fees, no commission.