Good advertisements can really make a difference when it comes to getting the most money possible for your used car.

We often speak to AA Members who can’t understand why their particular advertisement isn’t piquing the interests of potential buyers. The good news is that there are usually a few small tweaks you can make to help your car stand out online.

A picture is worth a thousand words

In today’s market, many buyers will potentially bid on an online auction based on the information and images illustrated in your advertisement alone, without actually viewing the vehicle in person.

Be sure to provide as many relevant photos as you can to show the vehicle from all angles, ensuring there is adequate light at all times.

It might sound like common sense, but make sure the car is cleaned inside and out, too - a messy car is bound to scare off potential buyers.

Good photos will only improve the confidence of any potential buyer and reduce their risk of being disappointed. It might be tempting to add in a filter to make the picture ‘glow’, but you don’t want to potentially mislead a buyer about a vehicle’s true condition. Including photos of body damage like dents and scratches might seem counterproductive, but it shows that you’re just being upfront and honest.

Get creative

Have some fun with your listing. If you have some videography skills, make a short clip with a walkthrough of your vehicle. It doesn’t have to be movie quality, just something that helps your car stand out from the other thousands of listings. Upload it to YouTube and then link through to it from your online listing. Remember, most modern smartphones can record and edit clips to a quite high standard.

Back in 2017, a woman received a surprising USD $20,000 for her 1996 Honda Accord (which would have otherwise been worth around USD $500) after her partner made an over-the-top high quality commercial to help it stand out.

Descriptions

Even photos of a vehicle in premium condition can still leave a lot of questions.

Aside from the essentials such as the make, model and mileage of the vehicle, this is your chance to really ‘sell’ your vehicle with a bit of creative writing. Remember - it’s a big purchase for most people, and sagacious buyers will likely overlook an advert if it lacks crucial details.

Don’t know much about cars? Don’t be discouraged - you probably know much more than you think. A brief explanation of your driving history doesn’t need to be technical.

For example:

“I purchased this vehicle five years ago and use it on a regular basis, travelling about 50km per day for work. The longest drive the vehicle has done was a trip from Auckland to Cape Reinga last December and has never had any issues.”

These things may seem trivial, however, the more information you can disclose, the better. Being descriptive is great, but keep it relevant.

Including some simple information on maintenance and repair history is extremely important. You want to give potential buyers some insight into the vehicle’s service history, showing that you’ve really cared for your car. Inform the potential buyer of any service items that have been replaced in the past.

If you’re an avid car enthusiast and have a good knowledge of upgrades and modifications on your vehicle, talk about them to set your vehicle apart from the pack. It could be new wheels and tyres, or an aftermarket radio upgrade with features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which is much more appealing for most modern day buyers.

Take time to find every feature your car possesses and expose them. Use these details to promote your advert without overloading the buyers, and don’t be afraid to look at other listings for inspiration.

Vehicle inspection products like an independent AA Pre Purchase Vehicle Inspection will give you complete peace of mind, and find out any potential issues that it may have underneath.

How to price it

The question of value is always a tricky one, and everyone generally has a different opinion on a vehicle’s worth. We know you don’t want to sell your car too cheap, but having an unrealistic price could see your car sitting on the market for months.

Our advice would be to purchase an AA Vehicle Valuation report. A savvy seller can always whip out their valuation report and use it as leverage during negotiations, as it allows them to know the true market value of the vehicle.

You should also do some simple market research. Have a scroll through some listings online, and see what similar vehicles are fetching. Some models have a strong following, such as older models of the Toyota Hilux that can still fetch a small fortune online.

Here's how the AA can help when buying a used car:

• AA Preferred Dealers - aa.co.nz/preferred
• AA Pre Purchase Inspections - aa.co.nz/ppi
• AA Vehicle Valuations - aa.co.nz/valuations
• AA Vehicle History Reports - aa.co.nz/vehiclehistory
• AA Money - aa.co.nz/money
• AA Insurance - aa.co.nz/insurance
• AA Car Reviews - aa.co.nz/car-reviews 

Vehicle experts you can trust