I know you’re probably in shock right now. How could anyone possibly even mention the thought of you selling your pride and joy? After everything you and it have been through! Well, I guess there are a few different situations that might lead someone to sell their rig. Maybe it’s time to upgrade from that Patrol to a Landcruiser, or maybe times are tough, and the money would be better spent elsewhere.
Regardless of your reason for sale, we’re here to help you get the absolute best price possible. We’ve all seen online ads for vehicles that include filthy and unclear photos, a poorly written description and sometimes no contact details. Trust me when I say that isn’t helping the seller get top dollar. Here are our top 3 steps for getting you the most amount of cash for your 4×4, and it might be easier than you think.
Step 1 – Clean your car
Now, there are certain things in life when the dirtier it is, the better, but that definitely does not apply to a 4×4. A dirty four-wheel drive not only looks terrible in photos but also tells potential buyers that you haven’t taken care of the rig.
Before you even think about listing your 4×4 for sale and taking photos, grab yourself some of the Chemical Guys range and set aside a weekend for cleaning. A 4×4 is a little bit more unique to clean than a regular old car. The mud is harsher on paint, the trims can perish quicker, the underside can get caked in filth, and often dirt and mud can get everywhere, including throughout the engine bay.
What should I use?
If you need a suggestion, Chemical Guys ‘Tough Mudder’ is ideal for breaking down all the built-up off-road crud. It releases the dirt particles from the paint, making life extremely easy, and even leaves behind a protective coating to stop mud from sticking in the future.
Another secret weapon in your arsenal for getting top dollar is using a little bit of Chemical Guys VRP. This is basically a sealant for vinyl, rubber and plastic trims that will restore the black shine and protect them from further UV damage. Nothing screams ‘poorly cared for vehicle’ like faded grey trims, so bringing them back to that new-truck look will definitely help you get top dollar.
My final 4×4 cleaning secret weapon is getting your hands on some Chemical Guys Bare Bones protectant. This is an oil-based protective coating that is designed for the hard-wearing undercarriage components on a vehicle. In a 4×4 application, it’s perfect for stainless snorkels, bar work, diff housings, chassis rails and anything else you want to restore the black shine to.
Combining all the above secret weapons with a good deep clean of the interior and engine bay will mean your photos look phenomenal and give the appearance that your 4×4 has been loved and cared for over the years.
Step 2 – Take great photos
Now your car is as clean as a whistle, it’s time to really show it off with some killer photos. We’ve all seen ads online with blurry, poorly taken or simply rushed photos. And it definitely hinders the confidence we have in buying the car, or at least it does for us. Here’s how you can snap those classy photos that show off your 4×4 like never before.
Shoot with some scenery
The first thing to think about is location. Don’t be one of those lazy buggers who just grabs a few quick pics in their driveway and then slaps them online. If you want someone to spend a vast amount of their savings on your rig, you can justify taking the time to go scout a pretty location. By the water, somewhere industrial-chic, or somewhere there are few distractions from the focus of the photo, your 4×4.
The more the merrier
The next step is to take more photos than you need. As an avid hobby photographer myself, I know that not all my snaps are perfect. So I always try to take more than I’ll need. Most online sites will allow 10-15 photos, if not more. So feel free to go ham! Cover every external angle you can think of, including the engine bay, the interior, and close-ups of the dash, and if there are accessories you want to highlight, include detailed photos of those, too. It’s the age-old rule, if you don’t have them, you’ll need them. But if you do have them, you probably won’t need them. It’s always easier to not use a photo than to go back to the location and take more.
Now this is the most important step to taking killer photos, and we’re going to get a little technical here. Introducing the rule of thirds. This rule is pretty simple, it’s basically a cheat-code to framing up your photo to look as professional and aesthetic as possible. You divide the frame into nine squares with two horizontal and two vertical lines. Centre the photo in the middle of where two lines intersect. Give the subject, or in this case, the 4×4, some space. Don’t feel you need to occupy the entire frame. You can play around with some foreground or negative space.
Combining a gorgeous location, a stack of photo options and the rule of thirds, you’ll have the buyer thinking you’re a pro in no time.
Step 3 – Write an informative description
Sometimes the most simple of tasks can be the ones that escape most. Writing an eloquent and engaging sale ad or description is the final step to achieving the most money possible for your vehicle.
If your sale ad is littered with grammatical errors and typos or just doesn’t tell a potential buyer much, then that potential buyer has already started judging the vehicle before even seeing it. Nailing this part is the make-or-break point where the buyer will either pick up the phone and call you or sit on their money and wait for something else.
Writing the description is all about making the buyer’s life easy. Include your contact details like a phone number and email. There’s nothing worse than not being able to get in touch with a seller. Using key search terms like “dual cab Hilux” or “80 series Landcruiser” within the description of the ad will help it rank higher in the results and hopefully draw in more potential buyers.
Details are required
When writing the description, you want it to read well, be informative, and be edited perfectly. Don’t be afraid to have a mate read over it and make sure it all makes sense. Include things like the reason you’re selling the vehicle and how long you’ve owned the vehicle, and include details on any modifications or accessories that you think will add value to a potential buyer. The more information you can include now will mean the less question asking the buyer has to do, and the less surprises when they come and inspect the vehicle.
A description is one of those things where the more information, the better. Most platforms used for selling, like Facebook, Gumtree and Carsales, allow enough characters to write a short novel, so chances are you’ll never find the limit. Write as much as you can, and let the buyers come to you.
When you break it down, selling your 4×4 and getting the most money possible doesn’t actually have to be that hard! In a weekend’s worth of work, you can have it cleaned, photographed, listed, AND ready for it to find its forever home. Follow our steps and trust us when we say you’ll be thanking us. Good luck!
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Why are you supporting an American company for cleaning products? We have some of the best products right here in Australia, i.e. Bowdens and it’s made in Kawana Qld.
Tidy up your wiring in the cab & under bonnet. Some 4×4’s I have seen looks like a dog’s dinner under the bonnet. If the wiring is all over the place connected to your accessories it will look very untidy & neglected. A pack of cable ties or some split conduit will bring it together will look more impressive & label your wires or fuses from the batteries, shows you take pride in your fourby.