Selling a used car privately in Palmerston North should be a simple process: you sell your vehicle, a buyer offers a reasonable price, and you give over the keys. Unfortunately, many sellers discover that this procedure is a frustrating and time-consuming nightmare. From haggling with lowballers to dealing with legal headaches, the journey from listing to sale comes with common, but avoidable, mistakes.
If you are looking for the best deal on your vehicle without wasting your time or compromising your safety, this guide is for you.
Top mistakes when selling a car
1. Getting the price wrong
The first and most common mistake a seller makes is misjudging the market. Pricing your vehicle is a fine art that requires research. Sellers often struggle with this and end up either overpricing or underpricing their products.
2. The overpricing trap
This is frequently driven by emotional attachment. You remember what you paid for the car and how much you had invested in it. It is essential to remember that the market doesn’t value these emotions; it only considers current demand and comparable listings.
How can you fix this?
Overpriced cars sit online for months. Buyers quickly learn which vehicles are stagnating and immediately assume there is a problem. The car eventually sells, but only after you have accepted a price significantly lower than its worth.
Before listing, use tools to obtain an objective valuation of your property. Check listings for similar makes, models, years, and mileage in your area and in surrounding regions. Find the average selling price and set yours competitively.
Aim for a figure slightly higher than your bottom line to leave room for negotiation and potential compromise.
3. The underpricing trap
While this is less common, underpricing is a critical mistake that costs sellers hundreds of dollars. Sellers often underprice their vehicles to achieve a quick sale.
How can you fix this?
Never sell your car solely for convenience without first checking its actual value. If your vehicle is old, damaged, and unwanted, your best bet is not a private sale. Instead, a quick check of classifieds will provide you with a reality check! Know the value before the first enquiry comes in and stick to your chosen price.
Never accept the first low offer you receive.
4. Failing the first impression test
Your car’s first viewing is essential. In the digital age, this can be done online. Many sellers post a hurried, blurry, or poorly selected set of photos that immediately devalues the vehicle.
5. Poor quality photos and descriptions
A listing with a shadowed, fuzzy photo taken on a cloudy day or a dingy garage is a massive red flag to any buyer.
How can you fix this?
Treat your online listing like a real estate portfolio. Spend a morning cleaning the vehicle, and consider hiring a professional groomer if the interior is filthy. Take multiple photos and think carefully about aspects such as the setting and lighting. Include clear shots of the exterior from all angles, the engine bay, the boot, the odometer showing the mileage, and detailed shots of the seats and dashboard.
In your description, be comprehensive but honest. List the basics (WOF, Registration, mileage, transmission) and highlight recent maintenance, but do not hide minor issues. Being upfront about a small scratch on the bumper or a sticky electric window builds trust and minimises frustrating back-and-forth negotiations upon viewing.
6. The paperwork and legal liability blunder
When selling a car in New Zealand, the paperwork is not just a formality. It is a legal requirement that protects you from liability once the car is gone. Failing to handle all your documents is a huge mistake.
7. Forgetting service history
A full-service history folder is the seller’s greatest asset. It proves due diligence and care, justifying a higher asking price. If you fail to provide documents, you immediately lose your credibility.
How can you fix this?
If you keep up with maintenance, organise your receipts and service stamps into a neat folder. Ensuring your documents are in place can add hundreds of dollars to your final deal.
8. Neglecting Change of Ownership
This is the most serious legal mistake. Many Palmerston North sellers rely on the buyer to handle the change-of-ownership paperwork with the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA).
How can you fix this
In New Zealand, it is the seller’s responsibility to notify the NZTA of the change of ownership (or ‘transfer of title’) as soon as the sale is complete. If you do not do this, any future traffic fines, parking tickets, or toll fees accrued by the new owner will be sent to you. To avoid this, complete the MR13A “Notice by Person Selling/Disposing of a Motor Vehicle” form online immediately after the buyer has paid, or ensure you fill out the physical form at an NZ Post branch before the new owner drives away. This single step removes your legal liability for the vehicle.
9.Ignoring scams and your personal safety
Private sales always carry certain risks, especially in active regions like Palmerston North. Scammers always look for the easiest targets.
10. Accepting unsafe payments
Accepting personal cheques, PayPal transfers, or complex wire transfers is a risk.
How can you fix this?
Insist on one of the two payment methods:
- Cash:
If the amount is substantial, consider meeting at a bank to verify the funds.
- Instant bank transfer:
Once the full amount is reflected in your account and you have verified it, the car can be released.
11. Letting buyers test drive by themselves
You should never hand over the keys to a potential buyer alone. They could damage it, and even go as far as to steal it.
How can you fix this?
Always accompany the buyer. Before they sit in the driver’s seat, ask to see their driver’s licence. Please take a quick photo of the licence plate of the car they arrived in. A genuine buyer will not have a problem with these measures.
12. Overspending on repairs
Avoid costly repairs, such as fixing the transmission or bodywork, before listing your vehicle for sale. Used car values don’t usually jump to cover repair costs, so you almost always lose money on extensive repairs.
How can you fix this?
Focus on minor and low-cost flaws that tackle cosmetic issues or minor mechanical problems that prevent a car from passing a WOF. Buyers prefer to fix major issues themselves; however, it’s essential to discuss these with the buyer.
Conclusion
Selling a car in Palmerston North does not have to be an emotionally exhausting process. Avoiding these essential blunders improves your chances of a speedy and productive transaction.
For sellers dealing with older, damaged, or non-running vehicles that have failed their WOF, the private sale market can be a nightmare, with endless viewings and lowball bids. Metro Car Removal provides a speedy solution and affordable cash bids for any vehicle, regardless of condition, and includes free removal from your Palmerston North location.
Avoid the hassles of a private transaction and instead choose a straightforward, dependable service.
