A used car’s price depends on the model, the mileage and the condition. On condition, it is the service history that convinces the buyer: a car whose every oil change, timing belt and roadworthiness test is documented leaves little room for haggling. Here is how to prepare the sale.
Building the service file
- Gather all the invoices: oil changes, services, brakes, tyres, timing belt, roadworthiness tests. Sort them by date. If some are missing, see how to find a lost invoice.
- Make sure the major items are documented, especially the timing belt if the engine has one: it is one of the first questions an informed buyer asks.
- Show a regular history, not just invoices from just before the sale.
With AutoKarnet, you send the buyer a read-only link to your log before they even come to see the car; when you sell, the complete log, invoices included, is handed over to the new owner.
The roadworthiness test
A recent test reassures buyers, and in some countries it is compulsory for a sale (in France, a report less than 6 months old). If the test notes defects, repair them before the sale where possible: a buyer often negotiates down by more than the cost of the repair.
Preparing the car
A thorough clean, inside and out, and fixing small visible defects (dull headlights, worn wipers, light scratches) give the image of a well-kept car. They cost little compared with their effect.
Setting the price
Start from the market value and from ads for comparable cars (same generation, engine, mileage, trim), then position yours: a complete, documented history is an argument for aiming at the top of the range. Be open about known defects: a hidden defect discovered after the sale can come back to you.
The paperwork
The documents to hand over and the steps to transfer ownership depend on the country: registration document, certificate of sale, recent inspection report, declaration of the sale to the authorities. Check the official rules where the car is registered before meeting the buyer.
To go further: what the buyer can check on their side is explained in our article on the pitfalls to avoid when buying used.
