If you’re looking to get rid of your electric car, you may be wondering what the best way to do it is. Fortunately, there are several ways to sell an electric car, and these five steps can help you do so in no time. First of all, put up some signs about your vehicle on your neighborhood’s public bulletin boards or nearby highway rest stops. Next, put together an ad that tells why you’re selling your electric car and how much you want for it, and then put it in the local newspaper’s classifieds section or on Craigslist or eBay Motors.
1) Charge the car
Electric cars need to be charged regularly, much like your cell phone. Make sure your car is fully charged before trying to sell it. If you’re not selling locally, you’ll want to make sure your battery and other components are in good working order so that potential buyers can test drive your vehicle. As a last resort, offer a hefty discount on any damages noted during inspection; even if they can’t be fixed right away, having a buyer lined up will give you some leeway when negotiating with them.
2) Clean it up
If you’re going to get a good return on your electric car, you’ll need to make sure it’s clean and pristine. That means vacuuming its interior, washing its exterior, getting rid of any food or drink spills, even cleaning out your trunk. Make your car look as shiny as possible if you want to sell it quickly—and for top dollar. The cleaner your electric car is, the more money you can expect to get back in trade-in value (not just selling price). Just be careful not to overdo it—you don’t want people questioning whether or not you own an electric vehicle (you do!) by making a big deal about how clean your EV is!
3) List it
First, list your car online—ideally, you’ll be able to reach an audience in a more urban area than yours (people in San Diego might not want a secondhand electric car from Las Vegas). Listing on Craigslist and other classified sites will let you post for free. Consider reaching out through social media channels if your market is narrower, like electric cars for sale in San Diego.
4) Negotiate
While some car dealers offer excellent deals, most of them are looking for a way to make as much money as possible on each car. That doesn’t mean you can’t get a good deal—but it does mean you have to know how to negotiate. Start by checking online resources and guides that can help you understand what a fair price is. Then, when buying your electric car, set your goal price before talking with anyone at the dealership.
5) Congratulate yourself
Finally, congratulate yourself! If you’ve got your electric car up for sale and it sells quickly, consider treating yourself by taking a weekend trip to San Diego. There are plenty of things to do, including bike riding and whale watching. You deserve it! You’ve worked hard selling your vehicle. Take a break from thinking about cars for a little while and recharge your batteries before moving on to your next project.
