Ahead of the new registration plate change in March, a car dealership is offering motorists useful tips to get the best price when selling their used car.

Thousands of motorists will trade in their existing car in favour of a brand new model as they are attracted to forecourts by new models and the latest technologies.

Neil Cameron, from Bury Volvo dealership Hatfields, Manchester Road, said: “We recommend investing the time to prepare your car for sale rather than simply placing it on the market in its current condition.

By not doing basic things such as ensuring a clean interior and exterior, motorists are not only losing money but making the sale of their car a much more difficult and lengthy process.”

  1. Ensure the car is clean inside and out – it is no exaggeration that you can add value to your car by simply giving it a thorough clean.  Give your car a 'forecourt' look by using the professional cleaning products that garages use, which are affordable and able to buy almost anywhere. 
  2. Have a full service history – According to Kwik-Fit, nearly half of all used-car buyers will ignore a car without the full service history. Without the history log buyers can expect as much as 23 per cent off and with the average used car costing £7,706 that adds up to £1,772. Other important documents to have include the MOT certificates, warranty documents and the car’s handbook.
  3. Get a new MOT - being able to tell your buyer that the car has just had an MOT helps reassure them that the vehicle they are buying is in good condition.
  4. Small under-the-bonnet checks – topping up the washer fluid and oil are other ways to impress potential buyers when they look under the bonnet.
  5. Undertake minor bodywork repairs – it is always worth repairing any scratches or other damage to the car’s paintwork before selling, some scratches will come out with a simple application of paint restorer.
  6. Check tyres and tyre pressures – checking that your tyres, including your spare tyre, are the correct tread depth and undamaged is vitally important. To check the tread depth, insert a 20p coin into the lowest tread depth of your tyres. If you can’t see the outer rim around the edge of the coin, then your tyre is safe and has a minimum of 3mm tread depth. If you CAN see the rim then your tyres should be checked by a professional.
  7. Have an inspection – get a professional inspection undertaken by a mechanic to determine if there are any underlying worries with your car. If you try and sell your car with lots of small faults, the buyer has more negotiating power over you.
  8. Price your car realistically – if you are looking for a quick sale then price your car realistically to avoid alienating potential buyers. Before setting a price, compare prices of similar cars in popular classified ad magazines or online.