Are You Selling?
How & where to sell
Sell my car, the quick and easy way to sell your car for cash is to sell it to THE CAR BUYERS. Get the right price for your car today. Just complete the online car valuation page and click the Submit My Details button. Don’t forget to add your photos. Once received we will present your vehicle to our buyers Australia Wide and search for the best price for you. Real offer’s from day one. It’s that easy and the sale can be completed within hours at your place or ours.
Used Car Dealerships Car Buying Specialists
Some motor dealers and Used Car Buying Specialists will buy cars outright, and depending on the circumstances, this could be the quickest and most acceptable way of disposing of a used car. You won’t stand to make as much as you would on a private sale, however you also won’t have to worry about the paperwork or the expense of getting a Safety Certificate and associated repairs required for sale. If you are considering this option make sure you shop around to get a good idea of a fair asking price. It is a used car zoo when selling so be sure to explore several selling options before you enter into any contact for the sale of your used car or used 4×4.
Trade-Ins
Trading in your old used car or used 4wd is probably the most painless way of disposing of it. You won’t get as much for it as you will selling it yourself but its easy and a good way of financing the purchase of your replacement car. Trade-ins are also worth considering if your old car needs work to get a Safety Certificate or to make it presentable for sale. It’s still a good idea to make it as presentable as possible but don’t waste money fixing minor cosmetic problems.
Private Sales
Private sales are the most common way of disposing of unwanted used cars and 4wds. A private sale is also likely to be profitable, but will require the greatest amount of time and effort and expense on your part. There are a number of private sale options. You can:
- Advertise in a local newspaper or a classified publication (e.g. Trading Post)
- Advertise in a specialist classified car magazine
- Advertise online on one of the many car buyers web sites, or
- Display your car at a used car market
- Sell your car using a no cost web site
Many private adverts attract the attention of Car Buyers who are private car buyers and offer their services by advertising using Cars Wanted, We Want Your Car, Are you Selling, Sell My Car or Cash For Cars.
Auctions
Auctions are another option for the disposal of used cars and 4x4s.Particularly those which need some work to make them saleable. Again, you are unlikely to get as much as you would by selling it yourself, however the advantage is you won’t have to worry about getting a Safety Certificate or advertising your car. If your used car or 4wd won’t pass the Safety Certificate inspection you may have to sell it unregistered. The fees charged and the arrangements for auctions vary so you will need to discuss this with some auction houses to find the best one for your purposes. You should also discuss the reserve price with the one you select.
Sale on Consignment
Selling on consignment means giving your car to someone else, usually a motor dealer, to sell on your behalf. Generally you set the minimum price you will accept and the dealer will add a commission to it. If you sell on consignment, make sure the dealer you select is licensed and that you have a contract that sets out the conditions for selling used cars and used 4x4s and lists:
- The reserve price
- What expenses are involved and who is to pay them
- How long it will take to get your money after the car is sold, and
- Any other special conditions you think need to be clarified
Also make sure you can still sell the car privately without penalty if you wish. One disadvantage of sale on consignment is that unless the dealer has insurance to cover theft or damage to your car while in their possession, you will remain liable for anything that happens to the vehicle. You will also have little control over who drives your car while in the dealer’s possession, yet as the registered owner you will be responsible for anything that happens to it, including traffic infringements. Never leave your vehicle on consignment with anyone who fails to operate a Trust Account as this is the only guarantee that the sale proceeds are protected and guaranteed to be paid.
Online Markets
Online car markets charge differing rates and offer varying schedules to advertise through their sites. They also have varying degrees of prominence in the marketplace and subsequently attract varying audience sizes for buyers and sellers. Looking for the cheapest cost for advertising online may not necessarily constitute the best deal. To find an online advertising deal that works for you, compare the cost of advertising with the amount of advertising time this buys you and the likely exposure this gives you to potential buyers. When you place an ad online, you will more than likely be required to enter your credit card details to pay for advertising. Free sites don’t ask for credit cards. Don’t give your credit card details unless the site is secure. Look for a key or locked padlock icon at the bottom of the web browser and ensure the site address starts with https:// rather than http:// you will be required to agree to a number of terms and conditions before you can use the site. These terms and conditions are contractually binding on you, so make sure you read and understand them before agreeing to them. Also keep a printed copy of what you have agreed to. Look for the free sites as these are often great value and do provide sellers with quick offers and as mentioned don’t require credit card details.
Are You Buying?
How and Where to Buy:
Buying a used car can be a stressful prospect and it becomes a used car zoo, particularly for those of us who have little idea of what to look for when evaluating a used car or used 4wd. It can also be a daunting experience if you have not done some basic research and preparation before you begin. What are the hidden costs? What paperwork do you need to complete? Should you get an independent inspection? These are some of the questions that we can help you answer. To help you find the used car or used 4×4 that’s right for you, thecarbuyers.com.au offers the following advice for you to consider when buying a new or used car.
Private Sales
Buying a used car from a private seller is generally considered cheaper than buying from a used car dealership because there are no dealer costs and profits included. This can often be offset by the fact that you will receive no guarantee or warranty from the seller and title guarantee is at a higher risk. Seek proper advice as to what rights you may have if you by a vehicle that is unsound or worse still you have not got a clear title.
Used Car Dealerships
While buying through a licensed dealer may be more expensive than buying privately, you have greater protection because dealers are required to be licensed and operate under the regulations of the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act and other relevant State Acts.
Under these Acts, when you buy from a licensed dealer, you are entitled to:
- A one day cooling-off period
- A Statutory Warranty (under certain circumstances – see Statutory Warranty below)
- A guarantee of Clear Title
Cooling-off period
Motor dealers are required to give you a one day cooling-off period. During this period you have the right to take the car for an independent mechanical inspection and for a test drive. If you take the car away for any other reason, the cooling-off period does not apply.
If you choose not to buy the car for any reason, you must put this in writing to the dealer before the cooling-off period ends. If you change your mind and decide that you don’t want to buy the car, the dealer is entitled to keep up to $100 of the deposit you paid. The cooling-off period does not apply to vehicles sold on consignment for a private seller.
Statutory Warranty
Used cars and Used 4wds sold in Queensland and other States by licensed motor dealers are covered by a Statutory Warranty which guarantees the warrantor will repair, free of charge, certain defects that are discovered after the vehicle has been sold (provided the defects are notified in writing and the car is delivered back to the dealer or the dealer’s nominated repairer).
The dealer must provide you with details of the Warranty when you purchase any vehicle that is covered by a Used Car and 4wd Statutory Warranty. The Statutory Warranty does not apply to commercial vehicles, vehicles sold for wrecking, motorcycles, caravans or vehicles sold on consignment for a private seller.
Guarantee of Clear Title
When you buy a car from a licensed motor dealer they are required to provide you with written notice of Clear Title. This protects you if a previous owner still owes money on it or if the vehicle turns out to be stolen.
Deposits, contracts and other paper work
If you buy a used car or 4wd from a motor dealer you will have to sign a legally binding Contract of Sale. Like any contract, you should read and understand it before you sign. If there is anything you don’t understand, seek legal advice. Never sign an incomplete contract.
Before you sign a contract make sure you receive and read:
- A notice giving details of the vehicle
- Details of the cooling-off period (i.e. the date and time it starts and ends)
- Details on the proportion of your deposit deemed non-refundable (maximum $100)
- Details on how to get out of the contract during the cooling-off period
- Confirmation the dealer will return any trade-in that was part of the deal if you decide not to buy the car
- A notice detailing the Statutory Warranty period
- A notice of Guarantee of Title which includes the odometer reading
- A REVS Certificate stating Clear Title and disclosing any water damage that has been recorded on the register
- A current Safety Certificate
- If applicable, a copy of an acknowledgement signed by you confirming you are aware the car has been water damaged
If there are repairs the dealer has promised to carry out before the sale or as a result of the mechanical inspection, get this in writing and check that they have been done before taking delivery. If the dealer is unwilling to allow you to add clauses to the contract, don’t buy the car.
When you sign the contract you will be expected to pay a deposit. Pay the minimum amount the dealer will accept and get a receipt. The deposit should be deducted from the total price of the vehicle, and be refundable (less a non-refundable amount) if you cancel the contract during the cooling-off period.
Problems
If you experience problems with a car purchased through a dealer and it needs repairs under the Statutory Warranty, follow the instructions set out in the Statutory Warranty notice you were given when you bought the car.
If you are unable to reach a satisfactory resolution with the dealer you should contact the Office of Fair Trading, or the Motor Trades Association in your State for further advice. As a last resort you can apply to have the matter heard by the Small Claims Tribunal if the amount in question is less than $7,500.
If the problem relates to other matters you should first try to resolve the problem with the dealer. This should be in writing, setting out the details of your complaint, what you require to resolve it, and giving a reasonable deadline for action. Keep copies of all correspondence and keep notes about your dealings, particularly about who you spoke to, when you spoke to them and the information they provided. If you are unable to resolve the matter to your satisfaction contact the Office of Fair Trading for further advice.
Brokers & Wholesalers
Used Car and Used 4WD Brokers act for buyers to locate used cars and 4x4s that meet your specifications, while wholesalers offer an alternative purchasing channel to used car dealerships; both of which can reduce the leg-work required to find a car that’s right for you.
Brokers
Used Car Brokers locate used cars and 4wds of the particular make and model specified by the buyer, usually through a network of licensed motor dealers. The advantage for the buyer is that the broker does the time consuming “legwork” of finding the appropriate used cars.
Brokers then charge a commission on the sale of each used car and 4×4. The commission may be charged up front or it may be built into the price of the car. However the commission is charged, you should find out how much it is before engaging a broker, as ultimately the buyer pays.
Brokers, like motor dealers, are required to be licensed and operate under the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act in Queensland and other States have similar rules. Where a broker sources a vehicle from a dealer, it is the dealer who guarantees Clear Title and provides the Statutory Warranty.
Wholesalers
Buying from a wholesaler does not necessarily mean you will pay wholesale price for a car. In fact you could pay the same price from a wholesaler as you would from a used car dealership. When buying from a wholesaler you have the same rights and obligations, and you should take the same precautions as if you were buying through a normal used car dealership.
Auctions and Online Markets
Buying a used car or 4wd at auction may be cheaper than buying from a dealer while the Internet is proving a cost effective medium for facilitating the sale and purchase of used cars.
Auctions
Buying a used car or 4×4 at auction may be cheaper than buying from a dealer; however it also carries greater risks.
When you buy a used car or used 4wd at auction, there:
- May be no Statutory Warranty cover
- Will be no cooling-off period
- Is usually no opportunity to test drive the vehicle
- Is limited opportunity to inspect the car (generally limited to what you can see as you walk around and sit in it)
Some auction houses provide buyers with a “condition report” for the vehicles they sell, but unless otherwise indicated, these reports are not the result of a full mechanical inspection and the car may have other significant defects that the report does not mention.
Auctioneers are bound by many of the same requirements as motor dealers. For instance they are required to guarantee Clear Title to vehicles they sell and to provide a REVS Certificate. But unregistered vehicles will not necessarily have a Safety Certificate.
Buying at auctions is not for everyone. If you don’t know a lot about cars, take someone with you who does. Ultimately you have to satisfy yourself that the vehicle is in good condition before you buy it because once you’ve bought it, it’s yours – faults and all.
If you are planning on buying a used car or used 4wd at auction it’s a good idea to attend a few first to get the feel of how they work. Listen carefully to what the auctioneer says, as you will often be given important information about the vehicle and the conditions of the sale.
Research the car or 4×4 you want and have a good idea about what you can afford to pay and what a fair price is for the model you want (taking into account any extra equipment fitted, and kilometres travelled) and stick to it. Don’t get caught up in the moment and bid over your pre-determined price.
The price you pay should be significantly less than what a dealer would want for the car in a retail sale. Don’t forget to factor into the price a “risk component” to cover the cost of any unforeseen problems that the car may have.
Before bidding, check with the auctioneer if there is a Buyer Premium (a percentage of the sale price – often around 10%) added to the successful bid.
Online markets
The Internet is increasingly being used to advertise and sell used cars, advertise and sell used 4x4s with a wide range of sites available to both private and commercial sellers.
If you source your used car or 4×4 through one of the many online car markets (where private sellers advertise their cars for sale for a fee), you are essentially exposed to the same risks as buying privately. As such, you should take the same precautions as recommended in our Private Sale section.
Most car sales web sites act as a marketplace bringing buyers and sellers together, with transactions completed offline directly between buyer and seller.
Thecarbuyers.com.au is the right choice if you want to sell your car or 4wd. With our car advertising serious car buyers visit the site daily wanting to buy cars. By having your used car or 4wd for sale here you will be seen.
