It’s time to sell your used car, and you want to make sure the car sells at a good price. Before you make any deals, there are several steps that need to be taken which many people often forget to do. Here are a few helpful tips for preparing your used car to sell.

First, you have to give your car “curb appeal” – a special luster that catches the buyer’s eye and gets them interested. Wash your car, clean the wheels and tires, vacuum the interior thoroughly, and remove any of your personal belongings from inside the car. If your car needs minor body work, consider taking it to a shop. However, don’t spend money on the car if you don’t think you will recoup it from the sale. For smaller dings and scratches, many sellers can just use a paintless dent removal service, which repairs smaller dents for less money. These services are generally offered by locally owned companies, so check your local area for paintless dent removal.

Second, make sure your car is in good working order. Check your service records to make sure your car is up to date on scheduled maintenance. Look in the trunk to make sure the spare tire is there and inflated. Are the jack and tire iron present too?

In some states, you are required to get a smog test before you can sell you car. Also, consider having a pre-purchase inspection performed. Pre-purchase inspections companies such as AiMmobileinspections.com utlize experienced auto inspectors who reaffirm that your vehicle is in good working condition. AiM, the industry leader, conducts a comprehensive 150-point inspection available throughout the US. This provides independent validation of your used car’s condition and can be a valuable tool in price negotiations. Some inspection services, offer a convenient, inexpensive way to display their certifications: on car sale sites such as EBayMotors or UsedCars.com; via email to interested parties; or in print. An AiM vehicle inspection report can be the deciding factor in building confidence for a potential buyer and selling your car quickly. Users of the service frequently report higher offers from buyers, and ultimately find that the inspection pays for itself.

Finally, plan out how you are going to sell the car. Price the car using sites like Edmunds.com or Kelly Blue Book to set your price. Keep in mind that most buyers will negotiate for a lower price. Then, photograph your car. Make sure that when you take exterior shots of your car, it is the only vehicle in the shot. Roll down the windows to reduce glare, unless your camera has a glare-reducing lens. Make sure to take interior photos as well, including a shot of the odometer. Also, consider blurring out the license plate number to protect your privacy. Next, think about where you will advertise your car; some useful outlets are eBay, Craigslist, or local weekly papers. And don’t forget to put a “for sale” sign in the car's window as well.

Some people are uncomfortable with showing their car at their home. So think about where you want to meet potential buyers. This could be at your house, your bank, or at a public location such as a park. When a potential buyer comes to look at the car, make sure you’ve brought all the appropriate paperwork: the title, registration, service records and of course, a copy of the inspection report. This will help you sell the car and speed up the sale process if the buyer is interested.

While selling a used car can seem like a hassle, preparation is the key to having a better and smoother experience. If you prepare well using online resources, and take smart steps like having a vehicle inspection from AiMmobileinspections.com, you will be able to avoid potential difficulties and make a faster sale at a better price.