'I'm a used car expert - sellers could get a better price with this overlooked step'
With the used car market at a five-year high, a popular retail platform has shared how drivers can get the best price for their vehicles.
The online vehicle retail platform Carwow has shared a number of ways in which drivers can prepare their used car in order to sell it for the highest price.
With the cost of motoring continuing to rise, more motorists are buying their next vehicle on the used car market, meaning sellers could possibly get more for their older model.
However, John Rawlings, Consumer Editor at Carwow, noted that preparing a used car to get the best possible price goes beyond simply washing it.
He explained: "Our findings show that there's a significant opportunity for sellers to get a better price for their cars through straightforward yet frequently overlooked measures when preparing for a sale.
"Overall, there's a shared understanding of the importance of basic preparation steps like cleaning your vehicle. However, it's clear that there's still room for improvement, especially when we know that dealers can be put off from bidding on cars because of elements like missing documentation."
According to a survey conducted for Carwow, which interviewed approximately 2,000 motorists from across the UK, 67 percent insisted on washing their car before they put it up for sale.
However, only 27 percent of drivers admitted to fixing any minor issues in the vehicle, such as changing broken bulbs.
In many cases, these issues can be resolved by the owner using easily-accessible parts that are available for under £10, yet can increase the overall price of the vehicle significantly.
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Another way in which many drivers could boost their chances of getting more for their used car is by updating or replacing any documentation related to the vehicle.
Carwow found that only 14 percent of motorists do this, helping to show any potential buyers that the vehicle has been looked after.
A full service history can detail when and where the vehicle was maintained, confirm that any recalls have been fixed and put a spotlight on any accidents it was in.
Finally, Carwow suggested that drivers looking to get the best price for their cars should also get any dents or scratches removed.
Depending on the severity of the damage, getting the bodywork repaired could cost hundreds of pounds if it is done by an expert.
However, filling in any dents and respraying panels that have been scratched can give a used car a new lease of life and potentially add thousands to its price tag.
