Cars are sometimes bought or rejected simply on the basis of how clean they look, so presentation is everything.
A smartly turned out motor also suggests to a buyer that the owner has looked after his car carefully. This will certainly influence the buyer's decision.
Be sure to clean your car inside and out before you put it on sale. Polish and wax the paintwork, shampoo the upholstery, clear out the boot and replace things like worn mats. Animal or tobacco smells are likely to put buyers off. Alternatively get a full valet job done professionally for £50 or so. You may even consider steam-cleaning the engine.
Spending a few pounds repairing minor dents and scratches could get a much better price for the car. Do not splash out on any major repairs unless you intend to keep the car.
Make sure you tighten that's loose or rattling, such as trim, glove box lids and number plates. Annoying sounds can put buyers off.
It's well worth doing a simple maintenance check - oil and other fluid levels, tyre pressures and battery.
Gather together all the vehicle's documentation - V5 registration document (log book), MoT certificates, service/repair receipts - and place them in a folder preferably organised by date. Keep the service book and owner's manual along with this folder.
Take a really critical look at your own presentation. The better the impression you give, the more the buyer will be ready to put his trust in you and, more importantly, in your car.
Be friendly and polite, answering questions as honestly and helpfully as you can. Have ID ready to verify your address and ownership of the car.
