I’m a Car Expert: This Is Why No One Wants To Buy Your Car
Written by
Josephine Nesbit
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Selling a used car? Buyers are naturally more skeptical than they would be with something new. Everything from how you advertise the vehicle and how it looks to the price and even the description can make or break their interest.
For those who are having trouble selling their used car, here’s what car experts have to say.
Poor Advertising
The most important step to selling a car is to get the listing in front of potential buyers. “It’s almost impossible for you to control the audience that sees your car,” Melanie Musson, auto industry expert with AutoInsurance.org, wrote in an email. “You could miss selling to people who are looking exactly for what you’re selling, just because they don’t ever see that it’s for sale.”
Musson recommended listing the car on as many platforms as possible. “When you have to start paying for listings, you’ll need to be more picky because it’s not worth spending $100 to advertise a car that you’re selling for $1,000,” she added.
And never underestimate the value of putting a sign in your window. “People will see that every time you drive or even when your car is parked in front of your house,” she explained.
Low-Quality Images
First impressions matter. Photos are often the first thing potential buyers see when you’re selling a car.
“Low-quality photos [are] not enough. You would think how often sellers post blurry, dark photos or only one shot. Buyers scroll on past,” Alex Black, chief marketing officer at EpicVIN, wrote in an email. “Wash the car, take photos during the day, photograph everything — interior and exterior, tires too.”
A Messy Car
And once you’ve captured people’s attention, you need to make sure the car is clean.
“A messy car is an immediate turn-off. No one wants to imagine driving around a car with someone else’s obvious ownership present,” Musson said. “Have the car detailed before listing it for sale.”
Jadon Geerts, owner of Geerts Detailing, works closely with several in his local area of Appleton, Wisconsin, to make filthy cars look brand new again. “I’ll go through everything from vacuuming to hot water carpet extraction on the inside. For the outside, I’m often doing paint correction for swirls and deep scratches,” he explained. “They keep the flow of work coming to me, and I’m assuming it is because it helps them move the cars off the lot.”
Vague Description
A clean car and high-quality images aren’t enough. Just because everything looks good on the outside doesn’t mean buyers won’t question what’s under the hood.
“‘Runs great’ isn’t good enough. Buyers would like to know: accidents? Number of owners? Why are you selling? Be truthful — honesty sells,” Black explained.
No Maintenance Records
Buyers want proof that the car has been cared for. Without a maintenance record, it’s hard for them to trust that you’ve kept up with oil changes, tire rotations, brake work and other routine services.
“With no proof the oil’s been turned or brakes have been changed, consumers assume the worst,” Black said. “A handful of receipts, on the other hand, do contribute.”
Musson also suggested being honest about everything, even if it’s not in the car’s records. “If the last time you had it in for an oil change, the tech said, ‘This car has no leaks and will probably make it to 300,000 miles,’ tell the prospective buyer. Be honest,” she said.
The Pricing Is Off
Be realistic about the pricing.
“People want a deal. No one wants to pay more than they should. So, price your car according to the value you find on Kelley Blue Book, and then be willing to negotiate,” Musson explained.
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