HOW TO GET THE BEST RESALE VALUE FOR YOUR TRUCK

You can sell just about anything online these days. From advertising space on your forehead, to your beloved truck. Due to the internet, it’s never been easier to sell second-hand vehicles, but there’s also never been more competition, which could make it hard to get a fair price for your meticulously maintained workhorse. The entire resale process can be a gamble that ends up costing you time and cash. So, whether you’re an owner-driver, or just operating a business that relies on trucks, it’s worth getting to grips with these tips for maximising your resale value. Is it a bargain? Everything may be clearer in hindsight, but thinking about the future when purchasing a new truck is one way to improve your resale price. People look for reliability in a second-hand vehicle, but they also rely on a few more elusive dynamics, such as brand prestige and word of mouth. You may get a cheaper deal elsewhere, but some brands have a better reputation than others. Not only can this affect you as a driver, it can affect you as a seller. It’s also worth remembering that if you underestimate your requirements when purchasing a truck and consequently overload, over-rev, strain your engine or buckle your chassis and suspension, it can kill your resale value completely. Ultimately, if you buy solely with your hip-pocket, you could get slogged by a lemon that’ll leave a sour taste in your mouth at its sell-by date. The paper trail Before you can cash in on your rig, there’s one more factor to consider. There’s a lot of rules governing selling a truck, and a lot of paperwork for you to fill out. If your truck is registered in NSW, NT, ACT, SA or TAS, then you'll have to lodge a notice of disposal to the relevant department of transport after you sell your vehicle. If you’re an interstate hauler, and your truck is registered via the Federal Interstate Registration Scheme, then the transfer of registration paperwork may vary state to state. To ensure your fulfilling your legal obligations as a seller, check out the state by state regulations here: VIC, NSW, QLD, WA, TAS, SA, NT and ACT. Reaping what you sow Selling a truck is no easy feat. Unlike many car drivers, truckies know their rigs from fog light to mud flap, so if you’re planning on fooling one, think again. Everyone wants top-dollar for their trustworthy truck, but this means if you just snap a few photos and put an ad up in hope, you might get outmatched by the competition. So with that in mind, we’ve compiled a quick and easy list to make your rig more appealing to the potential new owner: If it’s seen, keep it clean If the difference between your truck and your car is a bit like the difference between a ladies’ and men’s bathroom, we don’t judge, but prospective buyers will. A professional detail will work wonders, but if you don’t feel like forking out a couple of hundred bucks, a good once-over with a vacuum and some polish may do the trick. At your service Most truckies think they’re a hassle, but there’s one type of log book that can be a driver’s best friend at resale time. Nothing looks better to a prospective buyer than a truck with log book servicing and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts. Time your sale so the truck has just been serviced, because waiting until it’s due can look suspicious. Something as little as low fluids or a burned out interior light can make a buyer wonder what else is wrong, so pay attention to detail during your routine maintenance. It pays to advertise Place ads in as many places as possible. Pay close attention to writing the ad – stay concise, avoid abbreviations and typos, and include a brief description of the truck’s history. A picture tells a thousand words, so quality photography from every angle, including of the odometer, engine bay and service history can make your truck stand out from the hundreds of other listings, while making you look serious as a seller. While websites are fine, posting ads on social media channels, in classifieds, flyers at local businesses, depots or truck stops and putting neat, detailed signage on your truck – especially if you live on a busy road – can help you reach local buyers. Selling ice to an Eskimo Buying a truck is usually a business decision, which means that the next owner might rely on your truck to put food on their table. This works in two ways: buyers are very careful, but they’re also willing to pay more for a proven workhorse. By acknowledging the importance of their decision and thinking objectively about what you would want from a seller if you were buying a truck, you can relax the buyer and boost your resale value. While you’ll almost certainly regret getting ‘Gary’s Pizza Joint’ tattooed across your cranium, if you follow these steps at least you won’t have to regret selling your truck.