How to Make the Best Used Car Ad

Creating an effective ad for your used car can be easy with the right advice. Read on for tips and tricks about how to make the best ad for your vehicle — and sell your car quickly!

How to Take and Upload Photos of Your Car

You’ve taken good photos of the car you are listing for sale on Autotrader, but you’re having trouble uploading. This video will provide tips on taking good car photos and how to upload them. 

Once you’ve gathered all the information you need to create your ad, you’re ready to learn how to make your ad stand out from the crowd and get potential buyers to come out for a test drive. This guide takes you on a step-by-step journey through the ad creation process.

Establish an asking price for your vehicle. Only you know the correct number, but we recommend listing your car at a realistic price based on market conditions, the actual price you’d be willing to accept to close a deal. 

Writing Your Ad Comments

This is where you get to focus on your car’s unique selling points and remember why you bought the car in the first place. A few guidelines to keep in mind:

• Use our helpful selling points. When you create your ad, we have common selling points listed for you on the Ad Details page. Simply click on the phrase that matches your car and select “add”.
• Explain why you’re selling the car. This is one of the most common buyer questions, so be sure to answer this in your ad. “Why you’re selling is a good way to start your ad description. That’s one of the first things people ask you when they call, and it tells people potentially what condition the vehicle is in,” Funkhouser says.
• Define forms of payment. Let people know up front what forms of payment you will only accept. Don’t take personal checks, and make sure you verify certified checks or money orders with the financial institution where they were issued. To learn more about acceptable payment forms, read Fraud: Protect Yourself.
• Disclose prior maintenance. A well-maintained vehicle is a sought-after vehicle. Give prospective buyers added peace of mind by letting them know you took diligent care of your car; it’s even better if you have the maintenance records to back up your claim.
• Disclose issues that might need fixing. Don’t waste your time or a buyer’s time by being evasive. Honesty can help avoid souring the deal.
• Put them in the car. Creating a good ad that a buyer relates to can make the difference between a quick profitable sale and just getting rid of the car.”We know people are usually looking for low-mileage cars that are fairly new, kept clean and have had one owner,” Frazier says. “You can usually sell those cars without even thinking too hard.” If any of these features describe your car, make sure you mention them.

• Use proper punctuation and capitalization. Capitalizing entire words or sentences is difficult to read and makes it seem like you’re YELLING at people. Using slang can also drive people away from your ad.
• Show off good gas mileage. If your car gets a high number of miles per gallon (MPG), be sure to mention it. Fuel-efficient vehicles are in demand.
• Mention modifications. If you’ve added features to your car that aren’t part of its standard options, be sure to mention them in your description. For example, if you’ve added a new stereo, an alarm or specialty tires, you may attract buyers searching for those extras.

• Give warranty information. If your car is still under warranty, the warranty is transferable and you have the paperwork, list what type of coverage your car has and for how long.If your warranty requires a transfer fee, you may also want to mention whether you’re asking the buyer to cover this or if it’s included in the deal. Some manufacturers don’t offer the same warranty coverage for second owners, so be sure to check your documents.
• Set your negotiating terms. Be sure to mention if your price is firm. Car ads commonly use the following terms for pricing: firm, obo (or best offer), negotiable or must sell. 

Here’s an example of a good car description for a higher mileage car that isn’t in perfect condition, but is in excellent mechanical shape:

Selling to get family car – just had first child. 33 mpg and runs great. All scheduled maintenance, including regular oil changes. Maintenance records and mechanical inspection report available. Highway miles. Ice cold A/C. Non-smoker. Interior in excellent shape. Scratch on right side of car from minor fender bender. No frame damage. Perfect first car. Added snow tires in 2018. Price negotiable. Wire transfer, local cashier’s check, or local money order only.

Photos

Ads with photos typically get twice the response of ads without. Interior and exterior photos help buyers become familiar with the car so they develop a connection with it. You can add a single photo or up to 30.

Post quality photos. Don’t frustrate buyers with blurry pictures that lack detail.

Adding photos will give buyers a better sense of your vehicle’s condition. Be sure to include a variety of angles such as:

• Front Center Console Driver’s Side Front Seats Back Passenger’s Side Dashboard Rear Seats Tires
• Trunk

The maximum photo size you can upload to Autotrader is 10MB.

Ad Creation Pitfalls

Now that you know what to do when you create an ad, here’s what not to do:

• Don’t list your car for two different prices in two different places. If buyers see the price difference, you may lose their trust.
• Don’t forget to post quality photos. A good visual presentation shows you value your car and your buyer’s time.
• Don’t overprice your car. Use our tools to find a fair value, assess your car’s condition honestly, and set a price you can live with.
• Don’t change your price every two days. Buyers watch ads. They may think you’re not serious or your ad isn’t legitimate.
• Don’t neglect your car’s unique options. List special features like navigation, proximity key, or outstanding gas mileage to support your selling price.

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