Buying a car? Good, there is no shortage of advice on how to do it. Everybody from insurance companies, finance companies, motoring clubs and plenty of others in between have a brochure of some sort that attempts to spell out how to go about acquiring a new set of wheels.

We've devoted plenty of pages on the Carsales Network to the buying process. So what about when it comes time to sell a car?

The info-void is hard to explain since whenever somebody is buying a new car (or a new used car) there's nearly always an old one to move on at the same time. Sure, there are always first-time car buyers and people who've managed to stuff the family truckster under a Kenworth, but most times a car is bought, another is sold.

And while the industry is always banging on about how buying smart can save thousands of dollars, selling smart can have exactly the same net effect. Selling a car well can increase your spending power on the new one as much as any smart finance deal or haggling on the next one.

So how do you do it?

The first step is some groundwork... Putting a little time and effort into the preparation of your car will reap dividends. Appearance, appearance, appearance is to used cars what location, location, location is to real estate.

Everyone wants the dream of a fresh, new car even if they are buying used. Panel and trim repairs often cost less than the value they take off your car which is why dealers spend so much on preparation.

EXTERIOR
This is what everyone sees first so it needs the greatest attention. It's also the easiest part of the preparation to get right. Wash the car then dry it off. Bird droppings, tar and deposits from trees can be removed with special cleaners purchased from your auto shop.

Consider touching up paint chips. Most dealers can supply exactly the right touch-up colour for your car.

A quick polish can do wonders for the appearance. If the paint looks really dull, use a heavy duty cleaner specified for your car's paint to remove the 'fur' before you polish it. Before you open up that old tin of cut and polish in the shed, remember most modern paints are not designed to be attacked with a cutting compound as it can strip the shiny clear coat. Unless your car is more than 20 years old, choose only polishes marked "clear coat safe".

Don't forget the wheels. Crunched wheelcovers are easily repainted or replaced with secondhand items and make a huge difference. Liven up black and plastics, and chrome trim with the right products.

INTERIOR
The trouble with car interiors is they get shabbier without you realising it. The key areas to tackle are:

• Carpets -- vacuum thoroughly and shampoo as required. If worn, cover them with a nice set of mats. Don't forget to clean the boot and empty the rubbish.
• Seats -- vacuum and, if really grubby, shampoo if the trim is cloth with a colour-safe upholstery cleaner, or condition the leather and restore that new car suppleness.
• Glass -- wipe away the greasy film on the inside but don't use domestic cleaners as it can kill the window tint and the overspray can harm the trim.
• Instruments and dashboard -- thoroughly clean with a damp cloth. Clean out all the rubbish from the door bins and glovebox. Remove food stains and grime around controls. Replace broken plastic parts as they can make the car look really abused.
• Smells -- Empty ashtrays and fumigate! Smokers' cars can alienate non-smokers and may need to be steam cleaned.

MECHANICAL
The biggest and best selling point you can possibly have is a recently completed service with full details of recent work and current road worthy certificate (RWC).

CALL IN THE PROFESSIONALS
If it all sounds too much, a professional car detailer can prepare your car to dealer standards inside, outside and under the bonnet for under $250 if no repairs are required. It will help your car sell faster at a better price.

WRITING YOUR AD
Preparing the car and seeing how well it comes up can make you excited and more confident about selling. So now is the best time to create the ad. Most internet ads will guide you into filling the relevant fields but there is a lot you can do and say to make your car stand apart from the rest.

If you're serious about getting potential buyers flocking to see your car, your advert has to make it sound as attractive as possible but also needs to be accurate and honest. It is far better for potential buyers to discover on arrival that the car is better than it sounded or looked in the ad, rather than overstate its condition and set up disappointment.

Vital details

• Make and Model Series: not just Ford, but Ford KC Laser
• Model level: eg GL, Ghia, TX3
• Year
• Engine capacity: eg 1.6, 1600cc or 1.6-litre
• Transmission: eg five-speed manual or auto
• Air-con, power steering, CD player if fitted
• RWC
• Price: eg $5800 but not $5995 as this fools no one and suggests you are a dealer pretending to be a private seller. Add ONO or OBO (Or Nearest Offer, Or Best Offer) if negotiable.
• Registration number
• Phone no including area code. Mobile numbers can be a turn-off to some buyers 

Helpful additions

• Kms to nearest 1000km
• Number of owners, if it's very few
• Service history, if you have the documents
• Balance of new car warranty, if there's any left
• Registration, if there is plenty
• Condition, but don't oversell it
• Popular colour or features such as: leather, immobilizer, alarm, power windows, tinted windows, mats, mudflaps, headlight covers, seat covers, upgraded sound system, etc

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