DO THESE 12 SMART THINGS BEFORE YOU LIST IT.

1. Decide how you want to sell

A private sale can produce a higher price, but you will do the preparation, advertising, enquiries, inspections, payment and paperwork yourself. A dealer sale or trade-in is usually faster and simpler, with the convenience reflected in the offer.

Decide what matters most: the highest possible return, a quick sale or the least effort. That choice sets the sensible budget for everything that follows. There is little point paying for a premium detail if you plan to accept a wholesale-style trade-in offer the same afternoon.

2. Research the market before setting a price

Compare cars that genuinely match yours: the same make, model, variant, year, transmission and fuel type, with similar kilometres, condition and registration. Extras can help, but they rarely return their original cost.

• Look across more than one marketplace, not just the highest-priced ad.
• Notice how long comparable cars have been listed.
• Allow a modest negotiation margin without pricing yourself out of enquiries.
• Write down what makes your car stronger or weaker than the closest matches.

The NSW Government similarly recommends comparing vehicles of the same model and in similar condition to estimate market value in its guidance for selling a used car.

3. Fix cheap trust-breakers before expensive faults

Start with a walk-around and a short drive as though you were the buyer. Test every control. Listen for rattles. Look for warning lights, leaks and uneven tyre wear. Then divide the findings into three groups.

Smart preparation is not about making an older car perfect. It is about making its condition clear, safe and consistent with the asking price.

4. Replace tired, squeaky windscreen wipers

Wipers are easy to overlook because you may not use them on a dry inspection day. A buyer can still test them in seconds. A loud squeak, judder or smeared windscreen makes a freshly washed car feel poorly maintained and gives the buyer an immediate reason to question the rest of your preparation.

Do this 60-second wiper test

1. Clean the windscreen and wipe the rubber edges with a damp cloth.
2. Top up the washer bottle and check that the jets spray the glass properly.
3. Run the front wipers on a wet windscreen. Never test them dry.
4. Look for streaks, smearing, missed bands, skipping or excessive noise.
5. Lift the blades and check for cracked, split, curled or loose rubber.
6. If the car has a rear wiper, test that too.

Cleaning can fix noise caused by dust, wax or grime. If poor wiping or noise remains, replace the blades. The right size and connector matter: many cars use different driver and passenger lengths, and model-year changes can alter the fit.

5. Check roadworthy and safety certificate rules early

Australia does not have one national pre-sale inspection rule. The requirements depend on the state or territory, whether the vehicle is registered and, in some cases, the type of sale. Check the relevant transport authority before you list, not after accepting an offer.

In Victoria, a roadworthy inspection includes the windscreen, windows, front wipers and washers, according to Transport Victoria. The Northern Territory’s light-vehicle inspection manual is more explicit: missing, cracked, curled, frayed, insecure, torn or ineffective wiper blades are reasons for rejection.

Checking simple items yourself before the inspection can save an avoidable rectification and return visit. That includes wipers and washers, lights, horn, tyres, seatbelts, mirrors and obvious windscreen damage. It is usually easier to fit correctly matched wipers at home than to discover ineffective blades during the certificate process.

7. Clean the car like the next owner is arriving

A clean car is easier to photograph and easier to inspect. Wash the body, wheels, glass, mirrors, door jambs and under the boot lid. Vacuum under the seats and mats, empty every storage pocket and remove personal data from the infotainment system.

• Remove rubbish, toll tags, child-seat accessories and personal documents.
• Clean the windscreen inside as well as outside.
• Clear leaves from the windscreen scuttle without forcing debris into drains.
• Use a neutral clean smell; heavy fragrance can look like you are hiding something.
• Leave the handbook, service book and relevant receipts neatly together.

Western Australia’s Consumer Protection guidance also recommends checking that the lights, wipers and air-conditioning work while preparing a private-sale car.

9. Take clear photos and write an honest ad

Photograph the car in soft daylight against an uncluttered background. Capture every side, both three-quarter angles, the cabin, dashboard with the engine on, odometer, boot, wheels, engine bay and service records. Include existing damage. Honest photos filter out mismatched expectations before a buyer travels to see it.

In the description, include the exact variant, kilometres, registration expiry, service history, number of keys, major recent maintenance, known faults and your reason for selling. Use natural language; repeating “sell my car” or “best used car” will not make the ad more convincing.

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