The best way to ensure that you will eventually get the best possible resale value for your car, is to keep it well maintained. Ensure that you service your vehicle on time, and that the service books are kept up to date. Also avoid excessive kilometres – anything over 30 000 km per year for a large car or SUV, or 20 000 km per year for a small, sports or prestige car will negatively affect your potential resale value. If possible, try to sell your vehicle before reaching 100 000 km or just before the end of
the new-car factory backed warranty expires, as this can give the buyer peace of mind.
Another thing to consider, if you are buying a new car and want to ensure that your resale value is protected as far as possible, is the colour of the vehicle. Avoid loud or fashionable colours – stick to the basics. A purple or pink car could be worth a lot less than an identical model in a more
conservative colour.
Also, if you are buying a new vehicle, try to avoid optional equipment – rather go for the next model in the range which will have a higher book value. Buyers will normally ignore those additions that are not visible, so, if you must, go for extra items that will be hard to miss, such as alloy wheels, spoilers or a sunroof. Having said this, be careful about adding a sunroof to a regular family car as this probably won’t add anything to the potential resale value, while if the vehicle is a BMW or Mercedes Benz, it would be expected.
Don’t allow anyone to smoke in your car! The smell of smoke is virtually impossible to eradicate in a vehicle. There are many buyers who will not consider buying a smoker’s car, and will not even view such a vehicle.
Another big deterrent is the presence of animal hair in a vehicle. Animal hair is very difficult to remove, even with an industrial vacuum cleaner.
When the time comes to sell your vehicle, remember that holiday months such as December/January and April could be a bad tine to sell. If your car is a convertible, rather put the car up for sale in summer.
Before you list your car for sale, or approach a car broker or dealer or put your vehicle up for auction, make sure that it is presented in the best light possible in order to attract the best price possible.
Here are some things that you can do in order to ensure that your vehicle has maximum appeal for a buyer:
Consider having your car detailed by a professional. This should cost only a few hundred dollars and save you a considerable amount of time and effort doing it yourself. If you decide to clean the car yourself, make sure that you do a thorough job, and don’t forget to clean those hard to reach areas.
Make sure that there are no loose objects in the car, that can rattle around and look untidy.
The smell of cigarette smoke inside your vehicle could be very off-putting to a prospective buyer. Do remember to clean the ashtray and lighter and get put a deodoriser in the vehicle for a few days, or as long as it takes for the smell to be neutralised. Don’t forget to remove the deodoriser when you show the car to prospective buyers.
Give the car a good wash and polish. Don’t forget the wheels, windows and all trim. Wash and polish the exterior including the wheels, windows and all chrome or stainless trim. Make sure that there is no polish residue left on the body once you are done.
It is best to sell your car after a service, or well before the next service is due, so that a prospective buyer doesn’t have the impression that you are trying to offload a vehicle that has something wrong with it.
Make an effort to indicate that you have maintained your vehicle well – ensure that the windscreen washer reservoir and radiator are topped up to the marks and that the tyres are at the correct pressure. Don’t forget about the spare wheel as well. Also make sure that you have the car’s service book available so that a potential buyer can see that regular services have been done.
Have the car’s current registration papers readily available.
If you still owe money on the vehicle to the finance house, contact them to find out what your obligations are in terms of settling the outstanding balance, and what process to follow in order to do this.
Finally, you could consider investing in a vehicle history report. There are several online services that can provide this service in Australia.
If you are looking to sell your car, then get in touch with the team at Carbiz!
Contact us on 1300 889 256 or message us today.
You need a new car, and you know that you need to do some leg work to find the best deal – but like most of us, you have a stressful job and little free time. Have you heard about car brokers? Maybe you have heard about them but are not too sure how this works?
Car broker businesses are relatively new to the market in Australia – but the concept is taking off in a big way. A car broker can take you through the whole process of buying a new car. All you have to do is to contact a car broker and discuss what type of car and which model you are interested in.
Our car broker will then make contact with all the dealers in their network, to find out who has the make and model that you are looking for available, and at what price. Brokers are dealing with large numbers of requests on a daily basis, and as such, have better negotiating power than you, as an individual buyer, could command. As car brokers, we can therefore get the make and model that you are looking for at a discounted price and/or with extras thrown in. Sometimes car brokers may even get fleet prices, if they have a large demand for the particular vehicle and are able to negotiate a bulk purchase.
With our experience in buying and selling cars, if you are looking for a used car, our broker can go out to inspect vehicles available to purchase, to identify the best option for you and to screen out any problem vehicles.
Dealers normally pay a referral fee to the car broker – but even with this cost factored into the price of the vehicle, generally speaking car brokers will be able to source a vehicle for you at a better price than you would be able to achieve on your own. This service not only saves you money – but also the time and trouble of running around were you to do this yourself. Normally, a car broker will be able to source you a suitable vehicle much more quickly than you would be able to do yourself.
Carbiz can help you get the best price for your new toy, contact our team today!
You need to sell your car quickly and you need to get the best price for it. How do you get this right? Selling your car doesn’t have to be a stressful and difficult process – there are a few options open to you, each coming with some advantages and disadvantages. Have a look and choose the option that will give you the best value in your situation.
Private Sale
Some advantages are that as you don’t have the overheads of a dealer, you can afford to sell your car at a lower price than a dealer could market an equivalent vehicle. The downside is that, because you won’t be providing any type of warranty, a buyer will expect a cheaper price. You can however, mitigate this risk by getting a roadworthy certificate – this will provide some assurance to the buyer that the car that you are selling shouldn’t have any hidden issues or costs involved in transferring the vehicle into their name.
You will need to advertise your car for sale – some pointers here are to set a realistic price, and honestly represent the condition of the vehicle. Have a look at what similar cars (year, model, condition) are being offered for. If you have the time and funds, it may be worthwhile to arrange a professional detailing and repairing service for your car. At a minimum, make sure that the car is spotlessly clean.
Sell your car to a Dealer
This option will be much easier for you than going the private sale route. No advertising costs, no strangers coming to your home to view the car. If you plan to trade your car in on another car being sold by the dealer – you will be in a better position to negotiate for a better price.
The downside is that the dealer will need to make a profit – so you can expect a lower price than you may be able to achieve if you sell your car privately. Depending on your circumstances – the saving in time and trouble may well be worthwhile. Remember that once the car is in the hands of the dealer – anything that may go wrong with the vehicle is not your concern.
Auction
You can opt to put your car up for auction. Advertising and paperwork will be handled by the auction house. You can set a reserve price, and if you are lucky the car will fetch more on auction. If the reserve price is not met – the car will not be sold.
Use a broker
Using a broker can simplify the process. A broker will have an existing network of buyers to whom they can market your car. A broker will locate the best offer and present this to you – you can accept or not. This saves you the inconvenience of organising the sale yourself. A broker will charge a service fee – and you can ask for details of their charges up front before you make a decision to work with them. Even with the service fees charged by a broker, you could still get a better sales price than you might achieve with a private sale due to the exposure to serious buyers that a broker has, and the experience that they will bring to bear in negotiating the best possible sales price for you.
Carbiz can help you get the best price for your car, contact our team today!
In the market for a new car? Or has that spanky new electric car gotten your car itch started? Perhaps you have a new baby on the way or just need an upgrade to manage hauling all the kids (and friends) around town!).
What ever your reason may be for wanting a new car, you may need to sell your current car first! That’s not a problem for Carbiz – we can manage the trade in for you. By ensuring that you get a great deal on your new car, we can also ensure that you get an excellent trade in deal.
So what is our process?
First off, get in touch! Let us know what new car has your fancy! Not sure what you are specifically looking for? Be sure to let our brokers know what your needs are. Our expert buying specialists are waiting for your call!
As soon as you submit your details, one of our expert buying specialists will be in touch. Be sure to expect a quick response during the week!
Trading in your current car can be such a painful experience. Not with Carbiz! We are here to ensure that we make your sale go through smoothly and ensure that you will get an excellent trade in deal. Be sure to share all the details with your buying specialist so they can best assist you!
Spending hours in dealerships takes a toll on everyone, it can be a time consuming, energy draining experience. We are here to ensure that you get your dream car hassle free!
Selling your current car shouldn’t be the deterrent to getting the keys to your dream! Be sure to reach out to our expert buying specialists to discuss your needs.
The VW Golf hatch is getting a facelift- an updated model is scheduled for release in July 2017 and will include a number of added features which will include the availability of new technologies normally found in high-end luxury vehicles. Updates also include the 110kw/250Nm 1.4 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine as the 92kw version has now been discontinued. The 110kw/340Nm turbo-diesel remains available in the top-spec Highline trim.
If you have had your eye on the Golf hatch, here are some more reasons why you should move it to the top of your list!
The entry-level Golf comes with a standard six speed manual transmission, with a seven speed DSG available as an option.
The 110TSI comes fitted as standard with air-conditioning, cruise-control with speed limiter, leather multi-function steering wheel, and 8.0-inch ‘Composition’ touch-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear-view camera and multi-function driver’s display.
Volkswagen’s Extended Electonic Differential Lock (XDL), city autonomous emergency braking (AEB), LED daytime running light, LED tail-lights, seven airbags, driver fatigue monitor as well as multi-collision brake assist all come as standard equipment.
The entry-level Golf has a standard six-speed manual transmission, with a seven-speed DSG optionally available.
The 110TSI Trendline comes additionally with automatic headlights and wipers, automatically-dimming rear-view mirror, front and rear parking sensors, 16-inch ‘Toronto’ alloy wheels, manual front seat lumbar adjustment and a rear seat armrest with cup holder.
The 110TSI Comfortline adds dual-zone climate control with Air-Care filtration, ‘Discover Media’ 8.0-inch infotainment system with satellite navigation, 17-inch ‘Dijon’ alloy wheels, ‘Comfort’ front seats, chrome interior and exterior highlights, storage drawer under the front passenger seat and a 12V outlet.
At the top of the range is the 110TSI Highline and the 110 TDI Highline. The Highline features fog lights, ‘Comfort Sport’ front seats, Vienna leather upholstery with heated front seats, electrically adjustable driver’s seat with memory function and electric lumbar support, power folding mirrors with memory function, keyless entry and start, and 17-inch ‘KarlsKoga’ allow wheels.
A Drivers Assistance Package is available for the Trendline, Comfortline and Highline models – adding adaptive cruise control, lane assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, park assistant, proactive occupant protection system and selectable driving models with a personalisation function.
Comfortline and Highline models can opt for the Infotainment Package, which includes a 12.3 inch Active Info digital instrument display, Discover Pro 9.2 inch satellite navigation system with gesture control and voice control along with a 400W Dynaudio Excite audio systems with a 10-channel digital amplifier and subwoofer.
The Highline model can have the R-Line package added, which will include a sportier R-Line exterior and interior treatment, 8-inch “Sebring” alloy wheels, progressive steering, sports suspension and privacy glass.
Keen to get the best price on the 2017 VW Golf hatch, contact our team today!
The new 2017 Hyundai i30 comes in 6 variants – Active, ActiveX, Elite, SR, SR Premium and Premium. The two SR models represent a new ‘Sports line’, while the Elite and Premium models come under the ‘Comfort line’.
The Active, ActiveX and SR come with a 7.0” touch screen audio system with MP3 capability, 6 speakers, Google Now (Android), voice-activation and Apple CarPlay. SR and SR Premium are fitted with a touch screen satellite navigation system. All models feature Bluetooth connectivity and Steering wheel mounted audio and Bluetooth controls, cruise control, 2 x 12V power outlets, amongst numerous other features. The i30 is viewed as a zippy, well-priced option.
Hyundai Auto Link connects your car’s smart computer to your mobile phone via Bluetooth, keeping track of your car’s performance and providing analytical information so you can keep your i30 running smoothly.
The i30 offers a range of dynamic engines, 120kW 2.0 GDi, 100kW 1.6 turbo diesel, and the powerful 150kW 1.6 turbo petrol. For excellent everyday drivability there is the 120kW 2.0 GDi , if you are looking for fuel efficiency there is 100kW 1.6 turbo diesel. While for the thrill seekers there is the 150kW 1.6 turbo petrol.
The petrol Active will be available in six-speed manual and six-speed auto forms, with fuel use listed at 7.3 and 7.4L/100km respectively. Choosing the diesel-engined Active models sees fuel use drop to 4.5L/100km for the 100kW/280Nm manual, and 4.7L/100km for the 100kW/300Nm seven-speed DCT auto.
The SR will be available with a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine only, in both six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch auto forms. The SR Premium will get the same engine but the seven-speed DCT only, while the Elite and Premium grades will be offered exclusively in 1.6-litre turbo diesel, seven-speed DCT form. Power for the 1.6-litre petrol engine is rated at 150kW, with 265Nm of torque.
Available on all variants, the new satellite navigation system features an all new navigation interface (now supporting split-screen display with multimedia information) with SUNA live traffic updates, as well as an extended 10-year Sat Nav Update Plan.
Hyundai SmartSense™ features 8 safety technology such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB),Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), and Forward Collision Warning (FCW), and is available on the Elite, Premium, SR, and SR Premium models.
Could this be your next car? Carbiz can help you get the best price for your new toy, contact our team today!
If you have had your eye on the new Audi Q2 SUV 2017, then give us a call! Carbiz can help you get the best price for your Q2, contact our team today!
It is expected that 2017 will be the year in which sales of SUVs will overtake those of passenger cars. In this year a remarkable variety of new and updated SUV models will be available. Here is a view of the Audi Q2 launched in February this year. The 2017 Audi Q2 is based on the A3’s platform, and targets a younger, vibey demographic.
The Q2 Design 1.4 TFSI is driven by a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. This engine produces 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque, with fuel consumption listed at 5.3 litres per km on the combined cycle.
Q2 Sport 2.0 TDI Quattro is powered by a 2.0 litre four-cylinder diesel engine. This engine delivers 110 kW and 340Nm, and fuel consumption of 5.0 litres per 100 km.
The Q2 Launch Edition features the 1.4-litre petrol engine, with more kit.
All three models are equipped with the Audi seven-speed S tronic dual clutch automatic transmission and Parking System Plus with rear-view camera and rear cross-traffic alert.
The autonomous emergency braking (AEB) has radars that can detect vehicles and pedestrians while travelling at speeds of up to 65 km/h. If an imminent collision is detected, the system warns the driver and, if necessary, can initiate a maximum deceleration action to reduce the speed or, if possible, prevent the collision.
The Q2 is spacious and comfortable inside. High quality materials and innovative technology have been combined through unique design detail to create a contemporary and sophisticated looking interior. While the 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit display (full digital instrument cluster) is available as an option, the standard kit includes a 7.0-inch main display with MMI Navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity with smartphone interfacing and voice control, automatic dual-zone climate control, leather accented seats, and an auto-dimming interior mirror. Audi Connect is available across the range as standard, with Google Earth and Google Search and a Wi-Fi hotspot feature.
The Q2 Sport features sports seats, a powered tailgate and Audi Side Assist for blind spot monitoring.
The exterior design is sculpted, based on a polygonal shapes. The octogaonal Single frame grille, three-dimensional taillights and polygonal side profile and higher ground clearance work together to create a powerful looking vehicle.