All vehicle owners go through the process of selling their used cars a number of times in their motoring lives. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, you may arrive at the point of deciding, “I need to sell my car quick” – either to access cash funds or get a lump sum towards a newer vehicle that won’t be on the market for long.

Selling your current vehicle, even without time constraints, can be challenging. Trying to sell it quickly can be even tougher, but not impossible. Here are a few basic tips to guide you, if the clock is ticking and you need to conclude a swift sale.

Know the current valuation of your used vehicle 

Don’t be surprised if dealers or prospective buyers manipulate your ‘sense of urgency’ as a bargaining chip by offering you less than what your car is worth. Get your car valued, either by a trusted dealership or through an online car marketplace. By doing this, you can answer the question, “What is my base price when trying to sell my car quick below which I’m not willing to negotiate?”

Sell your car quickly by putting its best photo forward

When time is not on your side, you’re going to need some serious curves and contours to stick out from the (used-car) crowd and generate a quick sale. Photographs will go a long way in bringing out the best features of your vehicle. On the interior side, ensure that you book a full car valet to amplify a spotless, showroom condition and get eyes (and wallets) fluttering.

Assemble all the paperwork required to transfer ownership

While you may be lucky to receive offers for your vehicle in a matter of hours, gathering the required documents to change ownership of your vehicle to its new owner can make or break your “sell my car quick’ strategy. If you are still paying back instalments on your current vehicle, ensure that you request a settlement letter from your vehicle asset finance provider. This will allow you to disclose the outstanding amount to a potential buyer and arrange the appropriate settlement payments.

Can I sell my car quick through a private sale? 

You can still sell your car quickly without the aid of a dealership or online platform. However, finding the right buyer who is willing to pay the right price when your back is against the wall will be difficult to achieve. If you’ve already listed your vehicle on sites such as Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace, consider boosting your listing for an additional spend in order to access a wider reach of potential buyers. However, with all the viewings, test drives and admin involved in selling privately, it’s not the route that we would recommend. 

The most efficient channel to sell your car quickly

If you need a quick sale, you more than likely have other things on your mind and don’t have the time for a private sale. And unless you’ve popped into your local dealership at a lucky time where there’s a specific customer on the lookout for your exact vehicle, you’re likely to be disappointed by the instant and only cash offer put on the table for your used car. 

This is where reputable online platforms step into the gap; by far the most straightforward car selling experience that takes the hassle out of quick-fire deals. Look for a platform with a seamless customer interface where you can quickly upload your vehicle details and be presented with an estimated current valuation. 

The best online car platforms have raised the bar in recent times for shotgun sellers by putting the responsibility for gathering and processing the required paperwork on the potential buyer.

Need to tick off the ‘sell my car quick’ box on your to-do list and still stressing about getting a deal done in time?

Choose a reputable online marketplace that takes the sting out of your stopwatch and potentially gives you multiple offers to consider, from serious and vetted buyers. At the end of the day, stand your ground and you can sell for more than you might expect.