Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of five articles designed to help answer questions and guide users through the process of selling a car or truck on Vehix. Please be sure to check out all five articles, including the final installment on some of the many scams and other frauds found in the online marketplace. Familiarizing yourself with the process and the risks involved are your best protection and the best way to ensure a successful deal.
Research the current market for your vehicle
Spend some time online and in your local newspaper's classifieds section (or the Craigslist equivalent) to get an idea of what's selling and what buyers are looking for in your area. And, of course Vehix.com is one of the best resources for market information. See what people are saying about your model in the community section, and what people in your area are looking for right now – this information can help you figure out the selling points you want to emphasize and a good asking price. Naturally, you'll also want to see what's already for sale right now on Vehix – if you're the 87th person selling a 2007 Ford Focus in your neighborhood, you'll want to spend a little extra time figuring out which qualities or features will help your vehicle stand out a little better for buyers.
It can also help to know what pricing services like NADA, Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds say about your car's value, although they can vary widely between each other, and rarely are in line with the particularities of your local market – it can still prove to be useful for advertising and negotiating purposes.
A positive review or specific comments on your vehicle from a respected publication like Consumer Reports can also help make a sale, so be sure to know what some of the experts have to say about your car.
Keep in mind the time of year and the type of car you're trying to sell. For example, convertibles will obviously do better in the summer months, while four wheel drives might do well in snowy or muddy seasons. Trucks and sedans tend to always be in demand, although this can vary by location, with big trucks being less popular among commuters or people in densely-populated urban areas.