Your prospect knows the car is used, however it’s still a new car to them. A few dollars and a little attention to detail can greatly increase your car’s new-vibe, which is huge in convincing someone who comes to look at it. Aside from a good wash (inside and out), here are few cheap, but necessary things to do:

• A little Amoral goes a long way into making your car seem as though it has been very well taken of over the years, just use it on anything made of either rubber or plastic.
• Spray on tire shine. Tire shine costs a few bucks and literally takes seconds to apply, however it’ll triple the external appearance of your car.
• Get an Air-freshener. We recommend the “new car” scent, it only cost a few dollars, its available everywhere and it make the test drive much more comfortable for your potential buyer
• If you have leather seats, condition them. It’ll cost you $50 and take half an hour, but afterwards you’ll admit it’s a night and day difference.

One of the best impressions on a perspective buyer is when all the major amenities are in good working condition, don’t be afraid to show off your Air Condition, Radio, Power mirrors etc.

This is a huge tip that could make your sale in itself. No matter how great your CD player sounds if your car works terrible it’s not going to sell as fast as you want it to, we are not suggesting that you do a complete over-haul but a simple tune up will help you make that quick sale.

Now, if you use any of these tips and they help you successfully sell your car, I’ll obviously retain a 15% commission payable to be through PayPal.

There are certain things that car buyers should keep in mind when considering purchasing a previously owned vehicle, such as a possibility of unknowingly buying a problem car.

Determining the quality of a vehicle by a simple test-drive is simply not enough. After weeding out non-credible sellers and vehicles that aren't worth professional inspection, it is highly recommended that the vehicle is examined by your mechanic.

Ask Questions

Prior to visiting the dealer or the owner of the car it is very important to ask questions. Consider asking the following questions:

• Why are you selling the vehicle?
• Are you the original owner?
• How many miles/kilometers are on the odometer?
• What is the condition of the vehicle?
• Has the vehicle ever been in an accident?
• Do you have service records?
• How much are you asking for it?

We recommend that you don't ask for the price of the vehicle up-front and ask other questions first as it would be easier at the negotiation stage.

The condition of the vehicle is the most important factor to consider when choosing a car. The price of the car would vary greatly depending on how the vehicle had been cared for. Before you invite a professional to inspect the vehicle there's a checklist that you can go through yourself. What you are looking for is major problems with the vehicle to rule it out or smaller problems (tires, light bulbs, etc.) to use as arguments at the negotiating stage. It is important to remember that you should always inspect the vehicle in daylight, as it is very easy to miss certain problems when light source is insufficient.

Carefully walk around the vehicle paying special attention to areas around and on the bottom of doors, around the wheels and wheel wells. If there is any kind of bubbling of paint, it means the rust is there and it will most likely result in an expensive repair down the road. Try using the fridge magnet on the panes of the vehicle and on places in question. If it doesn't stick, it means the non-metallic bodyfiller has been used and most likely the vehicle has been previously damaged. Pay special attention to the way hood, doors and trunk close. If the spacing isn't even or doors, hood or trunk don't close on the same pane, it is certain the vehicle had been previously damaged in a motor vehicle accident. Look for signs of fresh paint or color inconsistencies. Remember, minor scratches (that you could deal with) are great tools when negotiating a price.

Tires are great indicators of how the car has been previously cared for. When inspecting, look for uneven wear, an indicator that the car is out of alignment, and/or had been previously damaged. If the tires are worn, that would help you at the negotiating table. Same goes for brake pads and rotors. Make sure that the tire wear is consistent with odometer reading. Question everything that doesn't make sense to you.

Overall condition of the engine can tell you a lot about the vehicle. Signs of oil or other fluids leakage is something you should watch out for. Check for rust on strut towers to which front suspension is attached. If you see any signs of fresh paint that should signal previous damage to the vehicle. Check oil levels in the engine by pulling the dipstick. Low oil levels would indicate the car hasn't been getting the care it deserves, something that could haunt you in the future. Complete your check up by starting the engine to make sure it starts smoothly.

Once you complete these simple checks, it is time for a test drive.

Prior to taking off, get into the car and make sure that you are comfortable. Make seats and mirrors adjustments, check the distance to the pedals, steering wheel, shifter, ensure the vehicle has enough head room. Make sure the vehicle has sufficient visibility, try driving in reverse.

Once on the road, check for acceleration and braking. Does it have enough power? Make sure it doesn't make unhealthy noises. Does the transmission shift timely and smoothly? During braking hold the steering wheel lightly, see if the car pulls to one side, a clear sign of problems. Do the breaks squeak? Does the brake pedal or steering wheel shake or vibrate? All of these things are signs that there are major problems with vehicle's suspension and/or braking system, which will cost you dearly in the future.

Once you're back from the test-drive, thoroughly go through the checks mentioned before to ensure no additional leakage appears. Listen to the engine running. Are there any strange sounds? Make sure the exhaust is clear. Ask for vehicle's VIN; ensure that the paperwork corresponds to the VIN on the actual vehicle. Compare the owners name in the papers with the seller's identity.

Proceed with price negotiations. Rather than asking for a deal, bring up all the shortcomings that you have noticed. Every detail is worth a reasonable discount, and the seller understands that. It is also a good idea to verify the asking price with those in the Blue Book. When the price is agreed upon, it's time to call your mechanic to come and inspect the vehicle. The seller should have no problem with this, unless he's trying to conceal something that you haven't noticed already.

If you follow these steps, you're likely to select a car that you will enjoy for years to come.