If your state requires an inspection to transfer title, get the inspection done and all the items fixed before selling the car. One of the biggest problems as a seller is overcoming the buyer's unease about buying a car "as-is". While the car is still sold without warranty, at least the buyer knows that the state will register and tag it immediately.

Good point. I don't buy used, but whene helping others look for used cars (which I do often), I always recommend avoiding anything that does not have an up to date inspection sticker and registration. A lack of either may be for a reason.

In addition to cleaning the interior and exterior, take a half hour, some spray cleaner, and some paper towels and go over the engine compartment. You may not care, but some potential buyer might be impressed.

Clean it up and make sure your oil change due light is not on. Don't have worn out tires. Have a maintenance history that PROVES you had oil changes done.

Good advice; I recently sold a full size Chevy just by posting a photograph on a supermarket bulletin board. The car had dark red metallic paint which show really well. I cleaned the Michelin tires, shampoed the interior, changed the oil and put all maintenance and repair bills neatly in a binder. I had two roof racks which did not fit my new car, so I threw these in for nothing. Total preparation cost was about $40 plus some elbow grease.

The guy who bought it really appreciated this, and bought the car without even driving it. I got $100 less than I asked. Where I live we don't need a fitness/emission certificate.

When you sell a car, it has to run smoothly, start easily and their should be no vibration in the wheels on a test drive.

People who don't do any of the above always have trouble selling their cars.

Love your tips - they were very useful in helping me get my 2002 Saab 9-5Wagon ready to sell. I went to CarMax - but they totally low-balled the price. Then I decided to try Craig's List. I was all set to submit my ad BUT when it came down to it, as a single woman, I did not want strangers coming to my house or having to get in a car for a test-drive with someone I didn't know.

I sat on my car for a couple of weeks before I stumbled across driveway2driveway.net.
Easy and safe - plus they got me $2,700 more than CarMax.
Love those guys! I'm telling all my DC Metro friends about them!