You can be undecided about many things in life, but one
thing you can be sure of is that if you own a car, you will have to sell it one
day. The question is, therefore, no longer IF you intend to sell it, but WHEN.
This question may seem complicated, and we are here to answer it.
Should you drive your car until it gradually becomes a
“cart” struggling to get to the end of the street? Or should you instead change
it every year for a newer model? Answer: neither. Instead, the key is to find a
happy medium.
Take a good look at the condition of your car, is the
exterior still presentable? Does the motor part require maintenance? If so, how
much is it likely to cost? How much have you spent in previous years on
maintenance and repairs? Is it reasonable to spend $3,000 on a car worth only $5,000?
If you've reached this stage, you've probably already
gotten to the point where you should have sold your vehicle. You'll need to fix
the significant issues to get a reasonable price. The most innovative way to
trade in a car is to sell it while it's still in good working order.
All cars have essential milestones in their life. Being
aware of this is critical when making such an important decision. Selling your
car just before reaching some of these milestones is sure to maximize the money
you receive.
WHEN SHOULD I
SELL MY CAR?
The first year: this is where your car depreciates the
most, up to -30%. There are better times to sell!
24 months or 30,000 to 40,000 km: Most car warranties
expire after 24 months, or about once the 30,000 km limit is reached. The first
interventions generally occur at this stage. If your priority is getting a
newer car and not spending a dime on repairs to your current vehicle, you
should sell it before reaching that milestone.
What is your car's “residual” or “rating” value?
Get an estimate of this value on the Argus website or
request an estimate of the market price on the South Dale Motors
website.
60,000 to 70,000 Km: this is when you will have to pay
for a new timing belt. And there is nothing to "relax": if the belt
breaks, it will damage the engine, and you will have a severe problem. A new
timing belt could cost you up to $500.
Once you cross 60,000 km, the timing belt will no longer
be the only thing to consider, and you will also need to budget for new tires
and brakes. If you still need to do so, sell your car a few thousand kilometers
before reaching this stage; this will be your best option.
100,000 Kilometers: The reality is that most cars are still running
pretty well at this point. Still, it needs to catch up to what buyers expect.
Many buyers will set their mileage limit at 100,000 or less when searching
online, so cars with that value are less likely to be featured. If you want to
save enough money to have a small saving for your next vehicle, we strongly
advise you to sell well before this step.
Once you've figured out the best time to sell your car,
it's time to start thinking about how you will sell it. South Dale Motors will do
all the work for you in this regard: you only need to take a few photos. We
will publish your offer on more than 20 online sites (even on those you
might not have heard of), so you can continue driving your car until it is
sold.
We will handle inquiries and other requests and schedule the tests, making the process much more secure. Are you among those who may be stressed or embarrassed by the bargaining stage? If so, don't worry; at South Dale Motors, buyers and sellers only communicate via our online site securely and anonymously. This is where you will receive and process offers. It couldn't be easier!
