How can you get the best price when selling your car?

You have decided to get rid of your vehicle and you are wondering what steps to take. You would also like some tips on how to get the best selling price and all the tricks of the trade. Even though it may seem complicated, if you follow the steps explained below and our advice, you’re sure to have a positive experience.

If you entrust the sale of your vehicle to a dealer or specialist dealer, the advantage is that they will take care of everything. You save time and it’s very easy. You can compare different trade-in prices and select the best offer. The professional's price will be based on a market rating (an average of the market) and include deductions for administrative costs, the cost of repair or even warranty, the costs associated with the technical inspection (passing it and the time this takes) as well as their profit margin.

If you decide to sell it yourself, you may be able to get a better price, but you will need to invest some time and follow a few basic steps.

First you need to know the different parameters that influence a car's value:

• model, type and engine
• equipment and options
• the year of first registration and the number of owners
• mileage
• the condition of the bodywork (accident, dents, scratches, etc.), the mechanicals (maintenance recorded in the manufacturer’s logbook) and the interior (seats, instrument panel, odour, boot, etc.)

It is therefore important to take good care of your vehicle from the day you purchase it:

To help you set the price, you can consult the quotations provided by the trade press and search for more or less identical vehicles on sales websites based on advertisements from other private individuals. The prices asked by professionals are higher by 15 to 20% on average for the reasons explained above. Some sites also offer an online assessment. Please note: these prices are always indicative and not definitive.

• Check that you are still in possession of all the relevant documents.
• Remove all your personal items.
• Clean the vehicle both inside and out.
• Take various high-quality photos of the exterior (front, rear, side profile, wheels, bodywork details) and interior (seats, rear bench seat, boot, options, mileage display).

• the word of mouth method: always effective, as a neighbour or colleague who knows your vehicle may be interested
• a notice in a shop: simple and free, but don't forget to include your contact details
• an advertisement on a website: excellent visibility and generally free. You can easily find these sites via a search engine and you can post the ad on your social networks.

The selling price is often subject to negotiation, so consider a margin on the amount quoted.

• the original sales invoice
• the registration certificate
• the certificate of conformity
• the inspection certificate from the technical inspection
• the pink registration application form with the technical inspection sticker, which is valid two months after the inspection is passed (please note the deadline)
• the occasional report drawn up by the technical inspection and the Car-Pass
• the maintenance records
• the certificate for LPG installation if the vehicle is equipped with this

If you sell your vehicle to a professional, you do not need to sort the technical inspection, the registration application form or the Car-Pass.

• date
• contact details for the seller and the buyer
• vehicle model, type and capacity
• date of first registration
• chassis number
• mileage
• price
• the phrase "vehicle sold in the condition in which it is found and known to the buyer"
• signature of both parties and in duplicate

• Be careful with the payment. If the transaction is in cash, check the notes. The maximum amount authorised by law is €3,000.
• A payment by bank transfer is always safer unless it is an organisation unknown in Belgium or one that is often cited in scam attempts.
• Remember to drop off your number plate at the post office and provide your insurer with notice of cancellation. The amount of the CR premium and road tax calculated pro rata will be refunded to you.
• As a private individual, you do not have to add VAT when selling a vehicle.