All cars have a limited lifespan, so most people choose to pass on their car to a new owner before it becomes too old to be serviceable.  This benefits sellers by freeing up money to get a new car, and it benefits buyers by keeping the second hand car market going, ensuring that people can get hold of older cars at competitive prices.  If you’re thinking “I need to sell my Nissan” or indeed any other type of car, now is the time to take advantage of the internet to be a well-informed seller.

Nissan cars are popular in the UK, so there should be no shortage of potential buyers.  The key is to attract buyers that will agree to pay a fair price for your car.  If you’re wondering, “how much is my car worth?” the best way to find out is to use an online car valuation website.  These are very easy to use, and simply require some details about the car, generally including special features and condition as well as the make and model.  This will help you know where you stand when negotiating or setting a price.

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Carcraft provides all kinds of services for people looking for a used car, or those who simply love cars.  Along with guides on various types of cars, Carcraft can also assist with financing a new or used car for a buyer.

Carcraft car finance offers a range of options to suit any car buyer’s budget.  These options are designed to fit a variety of situations so that everyone can find the financing option that is right for them.

Carcraft even has its own finance team working with customers.  This allows Carcraft to design a finance package that is tailored to each driver.  Regardless of their budget or other concerns of the buyer, Carcraft car finance can customise financing to each individual person.  Carcraft does this by working with many different finance companies.  This allows them to offer a wide range of finance options to fit any person’s situation.   

Carcraft also allows people to spread their payments over several years to make repaying their loan easier.  People can choose to pay for two, three, four or even five years.  This allows some flexibility in the financing of the new or used car.  The initial deposit is also flexible; it can start at as low a price as £99, or go up to whatever the person can afford or wants to pay.  In addition, Carcraft offers to adjust the APR on the loan to fit an individual’s needs and personal circumstances.

Carcraft can also offer a bespoke car finance package to suit each individual.  Car buyers simply need to talk to a Carcraft representative about what they can afford to put down and pay.  Then Carcraft will work with the person to craft a financing package that works for them, bearing in mind the kind of car they want.

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The Ministry of Transport Test (MOT) is the statutory examination of all motor vehicles by a certified garage in order to ensure that they are roadworthy. In order to identify which garages are certified to carry out the MOT, look out for the blue sign emblazoned with three white triangles that will be prominently displayed outside these garages.

The police can stop a driver and ask to see a valid MOT certificate at any time and the government maintains an online database of all vehicles holding a current certificate. If a driver is stopped by the police and doesn’t have an up to date certificate they can either receive a fixed penalty of £60 or, if the matter is taken to court, fines of up to £1,000 can be imposed.

The idea behind the MOT test is to ensure that cars are roadworthy and therefore will not cause harm to either the driver or to other road users. Fees for the test vary from garage to garage and are dependent on the amount of work that needs to be carried out in order to make sure that vehicles are safe. When a car simply just needs a test and no extra work or repairs, then the government recommends a charge of £54.85. If a car fails the MOT test the owner will receive a list of all the problems that need to be rectified and then will be charged accordingly.

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Buying a brand new car is a major financial investment.  The buyer has to make the best decisions they can about which car, where to buy it, and how to pay for it.

Research various types of cars in order to choose the one that best suits your needs.  For example, a parent will need to bear in mind the practicalities of any car: if it is big enough for all the family; if it is important to have five doors rather than three; and if a large amount of boot space is necessary.  Consider what type of journeys you will use the car for; if mainly short journeys round town, a small runabout may be ideal.  If you travel long distances regularly, it may be worth investing in something slightly larger and more comfortable.  Be aware of the fuel efficiency of the car.  If you regularly make long journeys, you should research and compare which models provide more miles to the gallon.

Once you have decided what type of car you want, for example a small three-door hatchback, have a look at models from different manufacturers.  It is useful to do this either on manufacturer’s website or in brochures.  However, the best way of knowing if the car is exactly what you want is by visiting showrooms and test-driving the vehicles.  Salespeople will do their best to encourage you to buy, but keep an open mind and visit as many manufacturers as possible to find your perfect car.

Before going to a showroom to buy your chosen vehicle, look into car finance options.  Work out how much you can afford to pay each month and how long it will take to pay for the car in full.  Also look out for special deals that manufacturers may have, for example low interest rates, and do not be afraid to haggle with a salesperson for a good deal.  If you are unsure of exactly what you are signing for, do not sign.  Feel free to ask for all the information on paper, then take it home and study the information until you are completely sure that you are making a sound and valuable investment.

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There are many online companies offering car credit so it is essential that the buyer shop around to secure the best deal. Car credit online has the advantage of being easily comparable with other companies that may have been approached. It is possible to apply provisionally for car credit even before seeing the car wanted for purchase, because in that way one has definite repayment figures and a set APR which makes it really easy to stay within the parameters of the initial loan amount without being seduced into spending more than can comfortably be afforded.

Online car credit companies usually gives an on the spot decision and the loan can be held good for a certain amount of time, giving the buyer time to beetle off and secure the vehicle itself. The same is true of High Street lenders; car credit can be applied for and obtained provisionally with a shelf-life of, for example, two weeks so that a prospective buyer can car shop with confidence knowing the finance has already been secured.

Always be sure that any company offering car credit is regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The final agreement for car credit should always be in writing and signed by a representative of the finance company and the buyer. UK law states there is always a cooling off period for credit agreements during which an individual can decide not to go through with the loan without incurring penalties.

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One of the most important aspects of selling a car second hand is to pick the right price to advertise.  Picking a price that is too high will lead to fewer buyers and more reluctance to close a deal.  Picking a price that is too low will lead to plenty of buyers, but will leave the seller short of money that they could have made had they chosen the right price.  Also, it is not in the interest of sellers to constantly undersell, is it drives down market values and increases depreciation in the long run.  So – finding a good and fair price for your used car is very important.  If you are stuck wondering “what’s my Audi R8 value,” for example, a little research goes a long way.

With the internet, it is a lot easier than before to find an estimate for your car value.  There are many different websites that offer some kind of car valuation service, most usually for free.  All you need to do is supply a few details such as the car make, model and age, as well as a general overview of the condition it is in, and the website comes up with an approximation of how much the car could be worth. 

Another way the internet makes it easier to value your car is by looking at sales that have gone through.  Car auction sites are particularly useful for this, and even eBay can be a good place to look.  Anywhere that shows how much a car sold for is a useful place to look.  Just be sure to look at cars that are the same model as your own, preferably with a similar age and condition.

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Some used car dealers are more specialised than others. While most sell all types of used cars, there are others that only concentrate on a single type of vehicle. For example, Exeter Small Automatics has only small used automatic cars for sale. They are aware of their customers’ concerns for the environment and so give them what they want; small used automatic cars. This may sound very limiting, but with around a hundred automatic cars for sale, they clearly do not find such specialisation to be overly constraining for them. 

The company’s website has detailed information on driving an automatic car, as there are clearly concerns that many of their customers will have only driven manual cars in the past, and may be worried about the prospect of changing to an automatic. The website reassures the reader that an automatic is much easier to drive than a manual car. Exeter Small Automatics also provide access to financing from Black Horse, making it possible to arrange a loan and buy a car on the same site.

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Today’s market offers a variety of ways to purchase a car that were unheard of even 15 years ago. The meteoric rise of IT means that there is less need to trawl around car salesrooms or plough through the small ads in the local paper. Now it is common to not only select the preferred model online but also to study its performance and check out 3D views of the interior from every angle. In addition, a potential buyer can read customer reviews so the purchaser is armed with technical specs and vehicle performance details long before being anywhere near ready to go car shopping.

Even if the buyer is not a car enthusiast, the chances are they will have come across some car related information before purchase. Nowadays the car buyer is much more product-aware, thus being in a stronger purchasing position and meaning the seller must up the ante and be expected to do more than simply match the customer’s knowledge. Consequently the car business has opened up and now includes the prospective buyer within the hallowed realms of mechanical knowledge erstwhile only know to the chosen few.

For the seller, however, the basic methods of sales and marketing have advanced along with IT, and those in car sales really have to know the product inside out. With global competition growing tighter they must be prepared to be flexible in terms of cost and other incentives to purchase.

It is not all bad news for the seller though, because with most UK vehicles purchased with finance, customers have more access to loans than they had before so those who are seriously in the market for a vehicle have a higher percentage of acquiring finance than ever before. In addition there are more company cars on the road too, giving scope for tendering cars by the fleet and incorporating a maintenance contract.

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Even if a car is not new it can still be treated to that showroom gleam by keeping it washed and polished. Never wash the car in direct sunlight as it is too easy to leave streak marks all over as the water dries unevenly on the bodywork. 

•    Step 1: Rinse car all over with plain water and hose. 
•    Step 2: Use a good quality car pre-wash product and apply with a woolly car wash mitt. Start at the roof and work down, a panel at a time.
•    Step 3: Now the main wash with a car shampoo of choice, change mitt for a sponge and work shampoo into car with circular motions.
•    Step 4: Clean wheels and tyres with a brush then wash out thoroughly using a different sponge.
•    Step 5: Rinse shampoo off both bodywork and wheels with fresh clean water, hose preferable.
•    Step 6: Dry off with a chamois.
•    Step 7: Polish. Add to polish to two pints of water and rub into paintwork only. Buff to finish.

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There are a lot of different ways to get extra cash out of your Citroen if you are thinking about selling. By taking just a few simple steps you will be able to squeeze a little extra money out of the buyer, giving yourself a better deal.

What’s my Citroen Worth?

Firstly, it’s heavily recommended that you clean your car properly. This will give buyers a good first impression and won’t give them an excuse to try to haggle down the overall price. Some people even choose to take their cars to a professional valet to get a ‘new car’ feeling.

Secondly, make sure that the Citroen doesn’t need any simple repairs. Things like scratches, dents and rust can drastically reduce the overall value of the car. If you can’t sort out these issues yourself, it could be worth taking the car into a garage for a clean up and service.

Thirdly, consider renewing the tax and MOT on the car. This is one of the main things people tend to look at when they are buying a second hand car. By having time left on the tax and MOT, buyers will realise that the vehicle is roadworthy. These steps will all increase your Citroen’s overall value and will allow you to squeeze a little more cash out of the buyer.

How Can I Sell my Citroen?

There are various options that a seller could take when trying to sell a Citroen. The easiest way is to part exchange the vehicle for another car. This method involves taking the car to a dealer and getting them to take it off your hands for a reduced price on a new car. Although this approach is very convenient, it doesn’t always give sellers the best value for money.

Selling a car privately is another option. This means that the seller will have to advertise the car in classified ads. It’s recommended that you should always take cash with this option. If the buyer can only pay with a cheque, you should always wait for the money to clear in the bank before handing over the car.

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