Selling your car part 3: writing the advert
Difficulty: Medium
Time: 20 minutes
What's it worth: more interest from buyers
Sell your car part 1: Clean it
Sell your car part 2: Price it right
Sell your car part 3: Write the advert
Sell your car part 4: Take pictures
Sell your car part 5: Place an advert
Advertise your car on Auto Trader now
What you need:
• A notepad and pen
• Your car’s details
• Access to a computer
Directions:
View our step-by-step guide with the image below:
1. Browse adverts online or in the magazine to get an idea of writing style.
2. Write a draft advert on paper before typing it onto a computer.
3. Avoid block capitals and vague phrases such as “lovely driver.”
4. Start with the car type and model – for example, “1999 Ford Focus Ghia 1.8 5-door hatchback.”
5. Include the car’s total mileage – this lets the buyer judge how much it’s been used.
6. State the colour as precisely as possible. “Metallic blue” is more helpful than “Sorrento shimmer.”
7. Say whether the vehicle comes with road tax, or when the current tax disc and MOT certificate expires.
8. Describe the car’s service history – full, part or none.
9. Refer to the number of previous owners.
10. Draw attention to the model’s best features, such as alloy wheels or parking sensors.
11. Write a short sentence about the most impressive or unique aspect of the car.
12. Avoid hiding the car's obvious defects and mention any modifications it has. Minor scuffs and signs of wear can always be haggled over.
13. Explain why you’re selling the car to reassure the buyer.
14. Include the asking price. If you need help valuing your car, read our pricing guide.
15. Stick to around 100 words or less for online adverts, and 20 to 30 words for magazine adverts.
The next step is to take some pictures of your car. Auto Trader allows you to upload up to nine images and create a slide show.
Find out how to take the best pictures of your car in the next part of our advertising guide.
Advertise your car on Auto Trader now
More advice:
Sell your car part 1: Clean it
Sell your car part 2: Price it right
Sell your car part 3: Write the advert
Sell your car part 4: Take pictures
Sell your car part 5: Place an advert
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