How to Sell Your Clunker

Should you pay someone to haul away that beast in your driveway? Perhaps not: You might find someone willing to buy it. Before you advertise, though, take time to discover the inner beauty of the vehicle. The more selling points you can cite, the better the pitch. Then scrub the heck out of it to reveal any outer beauty it may still have.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Title
• Title
• Registration
• Emissions certificate
• Maintenance records

1. Fix whatever's broken if it's inexpensive to repair: The more working parts it has, the more selling points you've got.

2. Research the vehicle's used-car value as well as other sellers' asking prices for the same "vintage" model in your area. It'll help you determine a realistic asking price (leave yourself room to comfortably drop the price when bargaining).

3. Bedazzle prospective buyers with whatever advantages you can find in writing: great crash-test results, clean title history.

4. Have the title ready, and registration and smog test updated. Missing paperwork or hassle for the buyer can kill a deal.

5. Include "free with car" aftermarket parts or accessories you bought, such as the hammer you use to start it with. Maintenance records, too, indicate you had at least a little love for this vehicle.

6. Avoid volunteering bad news during bargaining (needs new tires and a tune-up). Pitch the high points (has new brakes, is the same car Steve McQueen drove in The Heist), but don't lie; it'll catch up with you.

7. Read How to Sell a Car.

8. Clear out the interior, then wash, vacuum and wax the vehicle. Cleanliness impresses buyers and makes any clunker look like less of a project.

Tips & Warnings

• Find ads for comparable cars to learn which selling points are hyped, and possibly how to downplay a clunker's character flaws.
• The bill of sale should include the phrase "as is," meaning you're not responsible for further repairs.
• In a worst-case scenario, look into donating the car for a tax write-off. (See How to Donate Your Car.)
• You must disclose a legal lemon (with recalls) to prospective buyers.