How to advertise my car: Tips for creating a killer car ad
October 27, 2021 by Jamie Edkins
Thankfully, there are a few easy things you can do to draw the punters in. Here are our top tips for writing a quality car advert.
Tip #1: Add essential information
People looking to buy a used car can be very particular about what they want, so it’s important to get the car’s specs in the ad early on.
Within the first line, you’ll want to include the make, model, year, mileage, what engine it has, the fuel type and whether it’s got a manual or automatic gearbox.
Buyers normally have a list of things they want from their next car, so if your car fits the bill, having this information early on will draw them straight to it.
Tip #2: Write a detailed description
The devil is in the detail, and this is especially true of car adverts. You’ll want to squeeze in as much detail about the car as possible to bag a buyer.
What’s the overall condition of the bodywork? Do the wheels have any kerb marks? Is there plenty of tread on the tyres? These are all questions buyers want answered.
Touch on the mechanical condition of the car as well. If there are any faults, put them in the listing.
This may seem like it will put people off, but you’ll save a lot of time when someone comes to view the car and they have to walk away because of a fault they weren’t aware of.
Tip #3: Be honest about any damage
While you want to paint a positive picture of your car, it’s important to be honest and list any damage it has.
If a buyer comes to view a car under the impression the car is damage-free, they won’t be best pleased to find out it has a dent in the wing or a torn seat, and they’re likely to walk away.
This is a waste of your time and theirs. It’s good practice to describe any dents and scrapes so the buyer knows what they’re walking into.
Tip #4: Highlight the MOT and service history
Keeping up your car’s service history is expensive and time-consuming, so you might as well use it to your advantage when selling it on.
Having a fully stamped service book is an excellent way to show buyers that your car has been well looked after. You could even include photos of it to really drive the point home.
Let the readers know how long the MOT has left as well, if it’s got over 6 months MOT it could be a good selling point.
Having no advisories can also attract buyers, however if your car does have advisories on the MOT it’s worth mentioning seeing as it’s so easy for them to find out anyway.
Tip #5: Detail any optional extras on your car
This is the part where you can highlight what separates your car from the rest. Having desirable optional extras can push up the value and draw people in.
Things like a leather interior, upgraded sound systems and exterior styling packs are popular options which people look for, as well as heated seats and parking sensors.
Tip #6: Take high quality photos
Photos can make or break your advert, so it’s important that they’re good.
Make sure you clean the car inside and out before you take the pictures, and try to take them on a sunny day in good light.
Take detailed photos inside and out all around the car to give buyers a good idea of what condition the car is in.
Find out more about how to take good photos of your car here:
Tip #7: Research your price
Getting the price right on your advert can be a tricky balance. On one hand, you want to get as much as you can for it, but on the other hand, pricing it too high can drive potential buyers away.
The best thing to do is to research the price before you list your car. Have a look online at cars similar to yours and how much they’re fetching, then use this as a base for your price.
If after you post the listing calls seem thin on the ground, you may need to drop the price slightly to make it more appealing.
Tip #8: Avoid cliches
There’s a lot of detail to get into a car advert, but it also can’t be too long or people won’t read it, so it’s important to make every word count.
Phrases like ‘one careful lady owner’ and ‘first to see will buy’ don’t tell the reader anything and take up valuable words.
If a listing is too long, people are less likely to read the whole thing. This can mean they miss the important stuff that may seal the deal, so keep it concise.
Sell your car with carwow
If you want the easiest way to sell your car, you can do it through carwow.
Simply enter your reg number, answer a few questions and our trusted dealers will offer you the best price.
If you accept an offer, the dealer will then arrange to come and inspect and collect your car, simple as that!
All you need to do is give us some details about your vehicle, including:
- The mileage
- How many keys you have
- What service history it has
- When it was last serviced
- If there are any mechanical faults
- If there are any cosmetic defects
- How quickly you want to sell it
Click the green button below to get your free quote.