Selling your car – Advice from CP Plus

Selling your car – advice from CP Plus

Most drivers take a great deal of care when purchasing a new car, so as to ensure that they get a good model at a great price. However, if you don’t manage to sell your old car for a decent price, your new one may not seem like such a bargain. With a little attention and forethought though, you can sell your car for a reasonable amount. Here, CP Plus provides you with some tips on how to do this.

Firstly, you’ll need to determine how much you should sell the vehicle for. To do this, look in motoring magazines and on the internet for price guides. Then compare the results from this with the price checks of cars being sold in the local classifieds. Be realistic when pricing your car, and be aware that you’re unlikely to make as much in the sale as a professional car dealer might.

You’ll also need to clean the vehicle thoroughly, both inside and out. Remove any personal belongings and rubbish from the interior; from those bits and bobs under the seats and in the boot, to the paperwork and other items in the glove compartment. Polish all of the chrome work on the car, and use a paintwork enhancer to give the bodywork a better shine.

When advertising, experts from CP Plus say that you should be positive, honest and simple. Try to avoid over-selling the car by using terms such as ‘an unbelievable deal’ and ‘must-buy’. As much as possible, stick to the facts, and include the time remaining on the MOT, engine size, mileage, age, colour and model.

Carrying out a small amount of light maintenance is a good idea, as this will make the car seem better cared for. Top up things like the windscreen wash, coolant, oil and brake fluid and replace any damaged wiper blades, worn tyres, and blown bulbs. You might also want to repair some small dents and touch up scratches.  In terms of paperwork, having a reasonable amount of time left on the road tax and MOT will make the car more valuable and therefore easier to sell. You’ll also need to have an up-date logbook, the registration and identification details for the car ready, as well as a history of any motoring offences and previous repairs.

CP Plus says that most prospective buyers will want to test drive the car. Before allowing this, check that they have the insurance to do so (either their own or yours). Although it may seem obvious, never allow them to take a drive on their own, as they may simply disappear with the car! Lastly, once a deal has been struck, write out a receipt which bears the signatures of everyone involved, the registration details and the date of the sale.

Keeping your car safe and secure in a car park from CP Plus

Keeping your car safe and secure in a car park from CP Plus

Although car park management companies like CP Plus do their utmost to ensure that car parks in the UK are well maintained, secure and easy to navigate, it’s important to remember that as the driver of a car, you hold some responsibility too, when it comes to ensuring not only your own safety in the car park, but also the safety of others. In practical terms, this means that you need to be vigilant in regards to your driving, and the security measures which you take to keep your valuables inside your car, and the car itself, safe.

Car parks come in all shapes and sizes; some are high rise and have several floors, whilst others are street level, quite small and have only a handful of spaces. When you’re entering a car park, regardless of its size, you need to make sure that you follow all of the signs, and keep an eye out for those who may be walking around, as car parks tend to have several blind spots in which an accident could easily happen. Keep your eyes and ears open from the moment you enter, and try to avoid distractions, such as listening to music or talking on the phone when you’re looking for a space.

Car parks can get quite deserted, particularly in the evenings, and this is when crimes such as theft are most likely to occur. Companies like CP Plus have now installed technologies such as live CCTV, which help to deter criminals; however it’s still important to remain aware of your surroundings when you find yourself walking to your vehicle in an empty car park. Try to park the car in a well lit area, and keep your keys in your hand when walking towards it, so you can get into the car quickly and easily, rather than having to rummage around in your bag or pockets.

When leaving your vehicle in the car park, remember to check the security basics; make sure that the windows are fully roller up and the car is locked. One of the things which entices car thieves is when the owner of the car leaves gadgets and valuables lying out on the seat, so it’s worth taking the time to put things like purses, laptops, mobile phones, and your GPS away, either in the boot or on your person.

If you think that anything seems out of the ordinary, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact the car park security. CP Plus typically have parking officers patrolling their car parks, which makes it easier to speak to someone in the case of any suspicious activity. Remember that there’s no such thing as being too safe, so do take all of the necessary precautions when you’re leaving your vehicle in a car park.