When it’s time to get a new set of wheels, what do you do with your old jeep? You’ve got two options: trade it in for a new jeep at the dealership and get a few thousand off your purchase price or go it alone and try to get more moolah by advertising it on a used car site, Trading Post, Gumtree, eBay, Facebook Marketplace or your local newspaper.
If you decide to go with the trade in, your path ahead is easy. You’ll want your car to look spick and span before you make the trade so you can get the best deal, but you’ll be accepting less than what you could get selling the car privately for the extra convenience.
But if you choose to go it alone, how can you make sure you get the best price possible when you sell your jeep or trade it in for a new one? Here are ten ways to make sure you get top dollar:
The first step is to do some research into the used car market. Understanding how much buyers are paying for jeeps like yours is essential to setting a reasonable price. Each car's specifications are different (e.g. how many kilometres, service history, any modifications, the state of your interiors and paint job, etcetera), so factor those elements into your research. If it all seems too hard, you can get a professional valuer to take a look and give you a ballpark.
Consider the time of year. If your jeep is a soft top, it’s best not to try to sell it in the depths of winter. Convertibles sell for more during spring, so, if you can, hold off selling until the mercury rises. Also, the end of the financial year or around Christmas/ New Year are better times to negotiate hard with dealers if you're replacing your old jeep – there are some great deals on demos and older stock and dealers are more desperate to fill their quotas.
Refresh for less. If your jeep has a few dings or needs a new part that will significantly impact your asking price, it’s worth thinking about getting it fixed. The good news is that you can easily find cheaper jeep parts from wreckers that won't cost you a bomb compared to the expensive prices mechanics sometimes charge. Plus, when it comes to getting the roadworthy, you'll sail through with flying colours.
First impressions count. Although no one likes to admit it, curb appeal matters to used car buyers. When they come to view your jeep, chances are they’ll have made up their mind within the first few seconds of seeing it. That’s why it’s so important to make sure it's looking its best with a fresh wash and vacuum, no rubbish left on the seats, floor wells and console, mirror-clean windows and the full spit and polish. Get your maintenance records out so you can grab them if the buyer asks. If you really want to go all out, you can get a mechanic to fill out a report that it’s in great nick and/ or order a vehicle history report to show the title is spotless and the odometer reading correct.