How to Sell a Problematic Car: Expert Tips

Any car owner can end up with a problematic vehicle. This can result from a lack of due diligence—if the car had hidden issues at the time of purchase and the buyer failed to thoroughly inspect it. A car can also become problematic during use, for instance, after an accident or due to natural wear and tear. Owning a car with issues is a real challenge, prompting the owner to seek ways to sell the problematic vehicle without incurring losses. In this article, we will explore strategies and offer tips on selling a problematic car, helping you successfully sell such a vehicle at a fair price and quickly find a suitable buyer.

Problematic Car – Why It's Better to Get Rid of It

How to Sell a Problematic Car: Expert Tips1.

1. The Car Keeps Breaking Down.

It has likely reached a critical point in its lifespan, and malfunctions are appearing one after another. Such a vehicle becomes unsuitable for long trips, and driving it becomes unsafe. In this case, the owner has two options: either constantly repair it, which is expensive and often impractical, or sell it.

2. Expensive Maintenance.

This problem is faced by car owners who made an emotional purchase without considering the high costs of operating and maintaining the new vehicle. Components, consumables, high fuel consumption – such a car requires constant large expenses that the owner cannot afford. In this situation, the solution is to sell the car that has become unprofitable for the owner.

3. Car After an Accident.

In some cases, full restoration of the vehicle after an accident is simply impossible. Technical problems with the engine may arise, constantly causing issues. The body may have defects that cannot be fixed with any repair, or the restoration may require very high costs. If repairing the car after an accident is impractical, the best option for the owner would be to sell the car as damaged or for parts.

Selling a Car through Car Buyback Services

One option for selling a problematic car is through a car buyback service. This method certainly has its advantages, such as resolving the sale issue within a day and having high chances of quickly selling the car in any condition. However, experienced car owners know well that car buyback is a last resort, as this selling method is the least profitable for the seller. The disadvantages of selling a car through a buyback service include:

Lower Price: Companies that engage in car buybacks aim to resell for their own profit, which means they offer extremely unfavorable terms for the owner. The price offered by the company will be significantly lower than the average market value of similar cars.
Limited Number of Offers: The number of companies involved in car buybacks is very limited compared to the number of potential buyers who might be interested in your car.
No Room for Negotiation: You cannot negotiate to your advantage with a buyback company. Typically, such firms offer a fixed price.
Questionable Reputation: Some reselling firms might use aggressive sales tactics or offer terms that are not beneficial for you as the seller.

How to Sell a Problematic Car

If a vehicle has problems or requires repairs after an accident, selling it can be very difficult, but you can handle this task if you properly prepare the car and take the right steps to sell it. We offer you an action plan that will help you sell a car with defects.

1. Market Analysis

The first step is to browse online platforms specializing in the sale of used and damaged cars. You need to find the most popular websites. A large number of users means a large target audience and, consequently, high chances of finding your buyer.
At this stage, it is necessary to study the offers from other sellers who are selling cars with similar characteristics and problems. You need to analyze prices and read descriptions. This information will help you to craft your own sales advertisement effectively, and you will be able to establish the objective value of the car.

2. Identifying the Main Problems of the Car

Before putting the car up for sale, conduct a thorough inspection of all its systems, perform diagnostics, and take it for a test drive to identify all existing faults and defects. You should know all the car's problems yourself in order to establish a fair price. By being honest with buyers, you deprive them of the opportunity to manipulate the identified shortcomings, and you can firmly stand your ground during negotiations.

3. Cosmetic Repair

For attracting buyers, enhancing competitiveness, and facilitating the quick sale of a damaged or problematic vehicle, it's recommended to conduct cosmetic repairs to increase its value before selling. What can be done?
Buyers, when considering various options for purchase, always pay attention to the condition of the body, paintwork, and overall cleanliness of the vehicle. Simply rectifying minor defects that could adversely affect the overall impression of the vehicle among potential buyers can be sufficient. For example, scratches, chips, abrasions, dents, and other body damages can be repaired. It's also advisable to address signs of wear and tear in the interior (such as seat or plastic trim abrasions, stains on carpets). These changes may not be costly, but they can significantly improve the vehicle's appearance, allowing it to be sold at a higher price.

4. Detailing

In a market with fierce competition for used cars, certain conditions are dictated. For a problematic vehicle, detailing (bringing the car to a marketable condition) is a critically important stage of preparation. This process includes:

Thorough washing of the body, wheels, wheel arches, and other external surfaces of the car, cleaning the interior from dust, dirt, and stains.
Removal of minor scratches, abrasions, and other defects using polishing agents.
Application of protective compounds to the body and interior surfaces to prevent damage from UV rays and dust.
Cleaning and restoration of seats, dashboard, steering wheel, and carpets.

5. Removing Auto History from the Internet

While the condition of the car may be satisfactory, negative facts in its past usage by previous owners can significantly tarnish its history. However, there's a way to remedy the situation. The car's history can be cleansed. The company AutoVinClean can assist you in removing any unnecessary information from the internet (from auction sites, from the Google search engine) that can be found by VIN code. Data about accidents, mileage, old car photos, previous sale prices, usage history, and other confidential information that may not be in your best interest will be deleted. A clean history makes the car more appealing for purchase.

6. Vehicle Description

The description consists of two components. The first is the text, where you need to describe the car's configuration in as much detail as possible, list all the options, specify any defects and problems, describe the service history, and repairs conducted. The second important component is high-quality photos of the car from different angles to demonstrate its exterior and condition. The more information you provide to potential buyers, the higher the level of trust they will have in you as the seller.

7. Effective Communication with Buyers

If you've done everything right, your car will definitely attract interest. Communication with buyers also has its own rules:

Prompt response to messages and calls from potential buyers.
Flexibility in negotiation – everyone likes to haggle, so it's better to initially set the price slightly higher than desired to give the buyer the opportunity to get the desired discount.
Politeness and respect towards the interlocutor.