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Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
I'm a Car Expert: This Is Why No One Wants To Buy Your Car
Selling a used car? Buyers are naturally more skeptical than they would be with something new. Everything from how you advertise the vehicle and how it looks to the price and even the description can make or break their interest. Read Next: Check Out: For those who are having trouble selling their used car, here's what car experts have to say. The most important step to selling a car is to get the listing in front of potential buyers. 'It's almost impossible for you to control the audience that sees your car,' Melanie Musson, auto industry expert with wrote in an email. 'You could miss selling to people who are looking exactly for what you're selling, just because they don't ever see that it's for sale.' Musson recommended listing the car on as many platforms as possible. 'When you have to start paying for listings, you'll need to be more picky because it's not worth spending $100 to advertise a car that you're selling for $1,000,' she added. And never underestimate the value of putting a sign in your window. 'People will see that every time you drive or even when your car is parked in front of your house,' she explained. Be Aware: First impressions matter. Photos are often the first thing potential buyers see when you're selling a car. 'Low-quality photos [are] not enough. You would think how often sellers post blurry, dark photos or only one shot. Buyers scroll on past,' Alex Black, chief marketing officer at EpicVIN, wrote in an email. 'Wash the car, take photos during the day, photograph everything — interior and exterior, tires too.' And once you've captured people's attention, you need to make sure the car is clean. 'A messy car is an immediate turn-off. No one wants to imagine driving around a car with someone else's obvious ownership present,' Musson said. 'Have the car detailed before listing it for sale.' Jadon Geerts, owner of Geerts Detailing, works closely with several in his local area of Appleton, Wisconsin, to make filthy cars look brand new again. 'I'll go through everything from vacuuming to hot water carpet extraction on the inside. For the outside, I'm often doing paint correction for swirls and deep scratches,' he explained. 'They keep the flow of work coming to me, and I'm assuming it is because it helps them move the cars off the lot.' A clean car and high-quality images aren't enough. Just because everything looks good on the outside doesn't mean buyers won't question what's under the hood. ''Runs great' isn't good enough. Buyers would like to know: accidents? Number of owners? Why are you selling? Be truthful — honesty sells,' Black explained. Buyers want proof that the car has been cared for. Without a maintenance record, it's hard for them to trust that you've kept up with oil changes, tire rotations, brake work and other routine services. 'With no proof the oil's been turned or brakes have been changed, consumers assume the worst,' Black said. 'A handful of receipts, on the other hand, do contribute.' Musson also suggested being honest about everything, even if it's not in the car's records. 'If the last time you had it in for an oil change, the tech said, 'This car has no leaks and will probably make it to 300,000 miles,' tell the prospective buyer. Be honest,' she said. Be realistic about the pricing. 'People want a deal. No one wants to pay more than they should. So, price your car according to the value you find on Kelley Blue Book, and then be willing to negotiate,' Musson explained. More From GOBankingRates 10 Used Cars That Will Last Longer Than an Average New Vehicle This article originally appeared on I'm a Car Expert: This Is Why No One Wants To Buy Your Car
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
5 Car Brands You Should Only Buy New in 2025
Looking to purchase a new vehicle this year? Depending on what you're looking for, certain car brands may have the edge over others, especially this year. Learn More: Read Next: We reached out to auto experts to discuss their picks for new vehicles that are worth your money in 2025. Here's what they had to say. If you're considering a Hyundai, this is one car you want to purchase brand new. Hyundai is known for having one of the best warranty coverages in the industry, offering a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty for the original buyers of the vehicle. Additionally, with safety features only available in newer models, like SmartSense driver-assist, and the fact that Hyundai vehicles depreciate quickly, it's a no-brainer to buy brand new. 'While Hyundai has reinvented itself and has gone from being a low-budget, low-reliability brand to a competitive contender, it's best to buy new rather than used,' said Melanie Musson, auto industry expert with Auto Insurance. 'Hyundai offers an excellent warranty, and it's worth buying a new car just so you can have the peace of mind of having that warranty. If you buy a used model that's beyond its warranty, you could end up with major issues like engine failure and fluid leaks that you'll be entirely responsible for fixing.' I Sold My Tesla: While Kia has something similar to Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, you'll want to buy brand new because of the improvements they've made in the newer models. Kias are now some of the most dependable models, such as the all-electric EV9 SUV. So, while buying used may save you a few extra bucks, buying new guarantees you have a car that will work for an extended period and have covered repairs if something goes wrong. 'Kia's warranty, like Hyundai's, is excellent,' said Musson. 'Unfortunately, they're not known for being high-mileage cars, so you should expect to start having engine and transmission problems shortly after the warranty expires.' The newest Jaguar models have AI-assisted driving and are made of better materials, completely elevating the experience of owning a Jaguar. You won't be able to find these innovative features in older models. Plus, with a pretty big depreciation over the first few years of ownership, the best way to experience this brand at its features would be to buy it new. 'Jaguar has upgraded their tech and interiors recently, but their older models haven't aged well: dated infotainment, bizarre transmission issues and expensive maintenance,' said Alex Black, chief marketing officer at EpicVIN. 'New is the only option unless you want to play mechanic.' The newer Fiat models have so much innovation packed into them, including hybrid systems, great gas mileage, responsive performance and easy handling, making them easy to handle and maintain. Fiats are designed for those who need to commute short distances, drive in a city and need to get around tight areas. Older models can really show their wear and tear, but newer models have a better performance rating and more reliability. Luxury brands are notorious for being expensive when something goes wrong, simply because the parts are customized to the specific brand instead of being universal. Having a warranty on your side can help minimize this cost, leaving the manufacturer liable for any issues you may have. The newer models of Land Rovers feature a lot of advanced technology, such as high-end entertainment systems and customization options, to make your car feel unique and high-end. 'Land Rover depreciates very quickly, but there's a reason for that,' said Musson. 'Once the warranty expires, the brand is known for its tendency to break down and require expensive repairs. The suspension that makes it a luxurious ride can fail, resulting in an uncomfortable ride. If you buy new, you can enjoy all the benefits a Land Rover vehicle offers without worrying about the cost of maintenance.' More From GOBankingRates These Cars May Seem Expensive, but They Rarely Need Repairs This article originally appeared on 5 Car Brands You Should Only Buy New in 2025
