1. MAXIMUM EXPOSURE
The more people who see that you car is for sale, the greater the chance you'll have a bidding war on your hands. Upload your advert to Classic Cars For Sale and put it into our sister newspaper Classic Car Weekly, both are FREE for private sellers to advertise. Do be aware that, if selling on an online auction site, such bidders might not always be genuine, or in a fit state to make over-generous bids.
2. WATCH YOUR Ps AND Qs
Well-constructed advertisement prose will help sell your car, whereas poor spelling and scant descriptions can turn potential buyers away. The suggestion is that if the vendor is inarticulate, the standard of care the vehicle has received may be questionable.
3. HAVE THE CAR READY
There's nothing more embarrassing than having to explain away unexpected non-starting, whether it is due to a discharged battery, stale petrol, electrical problems or just about any other reason. Such a failure could at best lose you money, or at worst, send the buyer packing.
4. SET THE SCENE
A dingy, ill-lit garage can be a real turn-off. Try to show the car at its absolute best in a clean and dry environment. Granted, a spot of rain can help to hide blemishes on dull paintwork, but it can make potential buyers think twice when it comes to making a real offer.
5. SELL FROM HOME...
...for a couple of reasons. The first is that it gives the buyer extra confidence that the sale is genuine. Even if the car is kept elsewhere, where possible ensure that the sale at least commences at the kept address. Also, there may be sales legislation complexities if the car is advertised for sale on work premises.
6. BE HONEST
One person's perfection can be another's average condition. If you can't praise those rose-tinted specs from your face, ask a knowledgeable pal for an honest critique of the cart being sold. If it's a non-runner, then say so and if the paintwork is blistering, mention it in the description.
7. GET OUT AND ABOUT
Use the car so that it gets seen. It's surprising just how much interest can be generated by a classic car in a supermarket car park and if it has for sale notices prominently displayed in the windows, it's like a mobile billboard all the way there and back.
8. SPIT AND POLISH
If the car is looking its absolute best, then selling it will be easier. For years the author Barbara Cartland always seemed to be filmed in the softest focus. You need to emulate this glamour on your driveway. Consider a professional-grade valeting.
9. BE CONFIDENT
If you've made sure that the car is up to scratch in all aspects then there should be no reason why you shouldn't be happy to take it out for a decent test drive. However, as a private seller, be wary of allowing prospective buyers to drive the car themselves and never allow them to do so alone.
10. DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS
The more detailed and honest an advertisement is, the better the prospective buying public will trust the seller. Buyers like history files and restoration pictures. If there are any with the car, even if you haven't undertaken the work yourself, have the service and repair history ready for viewing.