Writing your advert

Writing a truck advert that generates response is simple as long as you're brief and to the point. Colour
Mileage
Service history
Number of owners
Condition
MOT & road tax (if got them)
Key features
Colour photograph


Nb. If you are placing an advert online and in the magazine, you will be asked to tick a box to state whether or not your vehicle is an automatic. This is for the magazine only as it will help the magazine staff place your advert within the correct Automatic section of the magazine.

 When to sell

When advertising your vehicle with the UK's leading motoring magazine and website, you'll be guaranteed an unrivalled number of buyers viewing your vehicle at any time.

Bear in mind that you may find some vehicles sell easier, and for a better price at particular times of the year. Convertibles often sell quicker during the summer, whilst the market for 4x4s tends to pick up during the winter months.

 Auto Trader watermark

Following customer feedback we now carry a watermark of the Auto Trader logo on all Private advertisements placed via this site. This move was introduced to dissuade other web sites from running programmes to lift images of vehicles on our site, without having first gained your permission. Please note, if you are submitting a joint web site and magazine advertisement, your photo will not feature our watermark when it appears in the Auto Trader magazine.

 When will my advert appear

Advertisements supplied on-line to Auto Trader between 9am Monday and 4pm on Friday will be processed in 24 hours and published on the site the following working day. This does not apply to Bank Holidays or any other public holiday. Advertisements submitted between 4pm on Friday and 9am on Monday will be processed and published on the site the first working day following the submission of the advertisement.

All advertisements placed via the Auto Trader web site will be uploaded to Auto Trader's Digital Television and Mobile Internet Services.

Magazine adverts placed via the Auto Trader website will appear in the next available issue of the chosen Auto Trader magazine. This is normally the following Thursday or Friday for adverts placed before midnight on the Sunday prior to publication day. For adverts placed after this time we cannot guarantee publication in the next issue. Adverts will be delivered to the customers' chosen Auto Trader magazine at the same time as they are published on the site.

 Example of a magazine advert

 Example of a web advert

 Glossary of terms

4WS 4WD ABS Air Con A/Wheels CATI (2) C/Coded C/Control Clim/Cont C/Locking E/M E/Seats E/S/R E/W FFSR FSH FDSH FWD/4WD FWH H/L, W/W H/Seats H/S Immob LPG LWB MPV N/S/D O/D O.I.R.O ONO O/S/D OVNO PAS P/X R/Cass R/H/R R/S/B RWW T/Glass T & T VGC VTS

4 Wheel steering 4 Wheel drive Anti-lock Braking System Air conditioning Alloy wheels Alarm (Immobiliser) Colour coded Cruise control Climate Control Central locking Electric mirrors Electric seats Electric sunroof Electric windows Factory fitted sunroof Full service history Full dealer service history Four wheel drive Free wheeling hubs Headlamp wash/wipe Heated seats Hard & soft tops Engine immobiliser Liquified Petroleum Gas Long wheelbase Multi purpose vehicles Near side damage Overdrive Offers in the region of Or nearest offer Offside damage Or very nearest offer Power assisted steering Part exchange Radio cassette Rear head restraints Rear seat belts Rear wash/wipe Tinted glass Taxed & tested (MOT) Very good condition Vehicle Tracking System

 How do I add a photo?

Uploading your photograph to your advert is simple, providing you have a digital or scanned in picture of your vehicle to use. Remember to scan your image at the appropriate size and resolution for publication in Auto Trader magazine to ensure the best possible quality. Click on the red 'ADD PHOTO' button on the Edit screen when placing an online advert and follow the instructions.

Any photos supplied with adverts must be a true representation of the advertised vehicle. We cannot accept adverts supplied with stock or library photos nor can we accept 'cut-outs' or montages. Auto Trader reserves the right to remove such photos from adverts placed for publication on the website or in our magazine(s) as appropriate. For security and copyright reasons all photos uploaded to this site will be watermarked with the Auto Trader logo. For further details Click here

If your supplied image is removed we can add a suitable alternative if you email it to enquiries@autotrader.co.uk or post it to Customer Care, Trader Media Group Ltd, Willow House, Woodlands Business Park, Ashton Road, Newton-le-Willows, WA12 OHE. Please write your full name, vehicle registration and customer order number (a unique customer order number will be emailed to you once you've placed an advert) on the back of the photograph. We can only return photographs if you include a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

If you have opted for a magazine advert and your supplied photo is unacceptable, a photo agent can be arranged.

 The AA check

An AA check helps potential buyers to avoid purchasing a truck with a hidden history. It can detect truck fraud by running a check against the registration number to identify if the vehicle is:

• Currently reported stolen
• An insurance write-off
• Still on finance
• Not on its original number plates

 Preparing your vehicle for sale

You wouldn't buy a filthy truck so neither will they. The first thing the buyer will notice is the truck's appearance. Time spent on cleaning your truck will help you get the full asking price. Clean inside and out; give it a good vacuum and wax, and don't forget to clear out the boot.


Do a general maintenance check. Replace oil and other fluids, and check the tyre pressure. Remember to keep a record of what you have done.


Get your paper work in order. In a folder, collate all receipts, maintenance records and service history.

 Handling response

Potential buyers will call at any time so try to be available. You may wish to leave day/night time numbers or a mobile number.

Show documentation of proof of ownership, maintenance records, the owner's manual, service history, and registration.

Allow potential buyers to run a truck data check or vehicle inspection (HPI check), this will reassure the buyer that the vehicle is credible.

Be safe - make sure there is someone else at home with you, and don't give out unnecessary information over the phone.

Do not take the vehicle to meet potential buyers however reasonable they may sound.

 Test Drive

Always allow a potential buyer to test drive the vehicle with you; it'll help you sell the truck.

Make sure they are covered either by your insurance or theirs.

Take precautions- keep hold of the keys at all times, and don't leave strangers in the house whilst you take a test drive. You may want a friend or partner to accompany you.

 Negotiating a price

It's human nature to want to pay a lower price, so have clear in your mind the lowest price you'll be happy with. Don't be pushed into agreeing a lower price; if you are not sure take their phone number and call them back later.

Be calm and polite. Smile, you are more likely to get a successful sale if you are relaxed.

Check the buyer is genuine. Ask for ID and take a telephone number. Give them a ring before they collect the truck to check their details are sound.

If the buyer is genuinely interested ask them to leave a deposit, this helps weed out any time wasters.
Keep all numbers of interested parties in case your buyer pulls out at the last minute.

 Taking payment

Do not hand anything over until payment has been made and cheques have cleared.

Cash is best. If you do take a cheque make sure it's verified.

Write a receipt for both you and the buyer, stating that the truck is being sold.

 Auto Trader Privacy Policy

All personal information collected and used from the Auto Trader site will be processed in accordance with the 1998 Data Protection Act

Information collected
In order to register for full access to the Auto Trader channel we will require you to supply your name, e-mail address, postal address and post code.

On-line advertisements placed on the channel will, in addition require payment details, a land-line telephone number, with a mobile number and e-mail address supplied as an option. Credit Card information is collected over a secure connection

Use of Information
Telephone numbers supplied as part of a vehicle advertisement will be published within the relevant advertisement only for the duration of the booking.

Credit card information is used solely for the purpose of payment processing. Auto Trader retains no record of credit card details.

When you visit our web site, we issue a "cookie" or unique identification code that enables us to recognise your computer. The cookie contains no personally identifying information and is merely used to note which sections of our web site you have recently accessed. Based on this information we are able to understand the relative popularity of sections throughout our site. This in turn enables us to develop relevant content as well as attract advertising from companies that we believe to be of interest to our users.

Auto Trader is part of the Trader Media Group, and information supplied in this site may be shared with other group companies. When you register with our site, we ask you whether you would like to opt-in to receive future notification on changes to the site, as well as offers and services from third party companies that we feel might be of interest to you.

From time to time, we may ask our market research partners to contact you by telephone as part of a survey of our services. You will be able to choose at the time whether or not you want to take part in that survey.

Security In accordance with the requirements of the 1998 Data Protection Act - we have taken measures to ensure that information supplied to us is held securely. As a consequence - we may occasionally request proof of identity before allowing access to your personal information.

Access You have the right to access all personal information supplied to Auto Trader Digital, and rectify any inaccuracies on the information held. A charge of £10 will be made for any subject access request. Further enquiries should be made to enquiries@autotrader.co.uk or sent to Customer Care, Auto Trader Digital, Willow House, Woodland Business Park, Newton Le Willows WA12 0HE.

Amendments and Updates to this policy may be made from time to time. Any revisions will be posted on this page so you will always be aware of what information we collect.

 E-Mail advice

Including an e-mail address in your advert will enable potential customers to contact you when you are not available by telephone however, your address will be published on a public website.

Auto Trader takes every step to protect its customer's privacy (see our privacy policy) but, as this information is in the public domain, e-mail addresses can be used by third parties for canvassing or fraudulent means.

Please take the time to visit our Crime Centre and make yourself aware of the types of scams being operated.

If in doubt, do not include your e-mail address in your advert

 Automatic Style Advert

By checking the Automatic Gearbox option, your magazine advert will be published in the automatic style.

Note:
This is an example of the single spot automatic style advert
Your advert will be published in the style you've selected.