Media post: Top Reasons You Can’t Sell your Old Beater and How to Get the Best Price for it Anyway

Selling a car isn’t as easy as it used to be. During the pandemic, there was a run on the chips used to power new cars, which meant that prices surged as production dwindled and demand rose due to hygiene concerns.

Now, as the economy struggles and the cost of living rises, the used and new car markets are both slowing down. For sellers of second-hand cars, that means that it might take you longer than you expected to get rid of your old vehicle.

For those with old beaters that have seen better days, you might already have been expecting it to take a while to sell. However, in this market, it might take even longer, which means more time storing and caring for the vehicle, as well as doing all the admin that comes with dealing with potential buyers.

One way to speed up the sale is to accept a lower price than the one you wanted, but that means losing out on cash and potentially making a loss on the car. That’s particularly true if you’ve had to insure it for some time before you could sell it.

It might seem impossible to get your car sold quickly, but there are ways you can speed up the process without accepting a lower price than you’d like. Here are some tips to try before you jump at the next lowball offer for your old car.

It Makes A Funny Noise When You Turn It On

Cars that make a funny noise when they run might be hard to sell, especially if you’re trying to sell it as a vehicle that runs correctly. Any strange noises might be considered a sign of something sinister in the workings of the car, and the new buyer might not be willing to pay for repairs.

If you’re handy with a wrench and like repairing cars, then take a look at the part of the car where the noise is coming from. A clanging could be a blockage in the exhaust system, while a rattling could mean that one of the nuts or bolts in the car is loose. These simple fixes could help you to sell your car quickly, as strange noises could seriously put off a potential buyer.

It Doesn’t Run At All

Old cars that don’t work can be difficult to sell, but the good news is, it’s not entirely impossible. You could market the vehicle as a fun fixer-upper project for someone who loves repurposing old cars.

If that doesn’t work, or you just want the car gone quickly without working with too many individuals, then consider specialist online car-buying marketplaces like CarBrain. They offer advice on what to do so you can sell your car even if it doesn’t run and it’s been on the market for a while. Make the most of these resources to get rid of your old beater that’s been collecting dust in the garage for years.

It’s Not A Fashionable Model

Like everything, cars come in and out of fashion. The difference between a vintage motor and one that’s just plain old is that a vintage car is one that’s stylish and trending, so buyers will be more likely to pay a premium for the vehicle, no matter what its condition might be.

However, even a less fashionable model can be sold for a great price with the right advertising. Choose your words carefully and add a range of different images. Consider highlighting the vehicle’s potential and the ways it could be used, such as for a first-time driver or as a project car to modify heavily.

This approach might take more work than selling a trendy model, but it’ll be an easier way to sell it than to wait until it comes back into fashion!

Its Color Is Ugly

Even a fashionable model of a used car can be rendered unsellable if it’s in a particularly ugly color, or the paintwork is very scratched and badly maintained.

If the car is in good condition, just a little unfashionable, then consider investing in a respray or vinyl wrap to make your car look more desirable to buyers. A vinyl wrap is cheaper than a new paint job, and they come in a wide range of colours and styles, so you can find the perfect style to make your car more desirable to potential buyers. If the car isn’t in good condition generally, then you could consider selling it for scrap or dropping the price and highlighting it as a project car to encourage more interest.

With so many options available and car sales down in general thanks to rising costs, it’s no wonder that you’re struggling to sell that old beater you’ve had on the market for months. These tips should help make the process of selling your car and getting some cash to use on a new ride easy and hassle-free.