When you search “sell my car” online, you’ll find pages of advice about deep cleaning, repairs, and endless buyer negotiations. And if you’re selling privately, a lot of that is true — you’ll need to put in the time and effort to get buyers across the line.
At We Buy Cars, you don’t need to do all that. We give you a fast, fair offer based on real market data, no matter what condition your car’s in. But if you’d like to squeeze out a little more from your sale, a few small tweaks can still make a big difference.
Here are five simple prep hacks that can add extra value, without turning the process into a full-time job.
First impressions matter — and cars are no different. You don’t need showroom sparkle, but a good wash, vacuum, and polish can instantly make your car look newer and better cared for. Clean glass, shiny paint, and a fresh-smelling interior all create the impression of a well-maintained car.
Buyers and valuers alike are influenced by presentation, and a few hours of cleaning could add hundreds to your valuation.
Think small, obvious fixes — worn wipers, a cracked light, or low fluids. These are cheap, fast jobs that show the car’s been looked after. You don’t need to spend big on major repairs, but tidying up the little things can stop your value from dipping.
For example, a $30 wiper blade swap or a quick bulb replacement could make the difference between a car that feels neglected and one that feels road-ready.
When it comes to selling privately, paperwork is everything. Buyers want proof your car’s been maintained — service history, logbooks, receipts, even warranty documents. Without them, they’ll either walk away or haggle hard.
The good news? With We Buy Cars, missing paperwork isn’t a deal-breaker. We’ll still give you a fair, data-backed offer. But if you do have your service history on hand, it’s one of the easiest ways to boost confidence and get a good price.
Even small things, like receipts for recent tyres or brake pads, show that you’ve invested in keeping the car safe and reliable.
Tyres with healthy tread are a good sign for valuers. If yours are close to worn out, replacing them can sometimes pay for itself in a stronger sale price. Buyers like knowing they won’t need to fork out for new rubber straight away.
If new tyres aren’t in the budget, at least make sure they’re pumped to the correct pressure — it’s a tiny detail that makes your car look better cared for during inspection.
Timing can impact what you get. SUVs and hybrids might be hot one month, while small hatches are in demand the next. End-of-financial-year, fuel price spikes, or new model launches can all shift demand quickly.
A quick valuation with We Buy Cars taps into real SEQ sales data, so you’ll know what your car is worth right now, and whether it’s the best time to sell your car. Acting sooner rather than later often means locking in a higher price before depreciation chips away at your car’s value.
If you’re going private, you’ll need to do the prep, take the photos, write the ads, and deal with buyers. With We Buy Cars, you don’t need to do much at all. We’ll give you a fast, fair offer — and if you’ve made a few of these quick tweaks, you might even walk away with more in your pocket.
With over 30 years’ experience and thousands of cars purchased, we know exactly what makes the process simple for sellers. No forking out money for ads or major repairs. No time wasters. No “still available?” messages. Just a fair offer, fast payment, and the confidence that comes from working with a trusted local team.
Start your free valuation online, or come visit the We Buy Cars team at one of our Queensland locations to speak to our helpful team, so you can stop searching “sell my car” today.
Want to learn more? Why not check out our FAQs or read our guide to selling your car under finance.
