Selling your car yourself can save you a lot more money than a dealer would give you trade-in value for. At the same time, it is always riskier to sell the car yourself. Is it worth it? Sure, if you know how to lower your risk factor!

Advertise on bulletin boards, in local papers and online. Take a few pictures at different angles and write out full details of the vehicle¡¯s performance, features, and warranties. A great sell-value is to get an extended warranty for your car before you sell it and offer to transfer ownership to the buyer.

Set your minimum price and ask for several thousand over it. Be aware of what a car dealer may have given you for your car, and don¡¯t price too high over that price. Be realistic, not greedy.

When a prospect wants to see the car, and wants a test-drive, either go along with them or get their name, address, and phone number, or ask them for THEIR car keys first.

To protect yourself from false claims of vehicle problems, make sure that your vehicle is in working order BEFORE you sell the car. Offer to go with the buyer to their mechanic for an inspection> Also, be sure to have an accurate record of your car¡¯s history on hand. When the sale is made, offer to drive the new car owner to the registrar¡¯s office to get the vehicle title in their name. When they are issued their temporary tags, take your plates off the car! Thank them for buying your car, and offer to give them any vehicle history if problems arise in the future!

Helpful hints for selling a used car

There are hundreds of people who buy used cars every day of the week. If you have a used car for sale the trick is getting them to buy yours. As an individual you can learn the tricks of the trade that many used car dealerships use everyday. The first thing is to prepare your car; you will get a buyer more quickly if the car is presentable. Next you will need to set a high and low price, this is the high asking price and lowest you will accept for payment. You will need to advertise the vehicle for sale, look in you local newspaper; there you will find classifieds for used vehicles. Check with the newspaper for pricing, some newspapers have special rates for individuals.

When preparing the car for sale, make sure the mechanical condition is street worthy. Also, be honest in your sales, if there is a major problem with the motor let the buyer know. You may have to take less for the vehicle, but it will save you less problems in the future. Making the car look presentable, will take a little elbow grease, give the car a good wash and wax job, vacuum the interior and spray some deodorant spray to make it smell good. A good-looking car will sell much faster than a pigpen.

To help you decide the price; there are used car price guides available. Look up the year, make and model of your car, along with any accessories. The book will give condition guides; this will give you the price if the car is in excellent, good, fair, or junk prices.

When a perspective buyer comes along, they will look at the car, and will want to test drive the car. Go with them, explain to them that your insurance insist that an insured driver be in the car at all times. This will prevent any damage to your car from reckless, irresponsible drivers.

When you have a buyer and it is time to accept payment, only take cash or a cashier¡¯s check. If a personal check is given have the buyer go down with you and get the check cashed before the car is released to them, or any signatures are made on the title.