You don’t need a perfect car or a polished sales pitch to get started. You need the right details, a clear view of its condition and a few useful records.
Work through this guide before an enquiry or self-assessment. It helps you separate what you know, what you can show and what still needs to be checked.
Get the vehicle details right
Have the registration plate and state or territory ready, then check the current odometer. Confirm the make, model, year and variant using the information available with the car.
Look out for details that distinguish it from similar vehicles: engine, transmission, body style, drivetrain and significant options. If something is uncertain, keep it as a question rather than filling in a guess.
Bring your records together
Gather the service book and any maintenance invoices you hold. Include details of major repairs, replacement parts or modifications that would help someone understand the car’s history. You don’t need to recreate missing records; just be clear about what is available.
- Registration and vehicle identification information.
- Service book, maintenance records and relevant invoices.
- All available keys, remotes and original accessories.
- Details of known faults, repairs and modifications.
- Charging equipment included with an electric or plug-in hybrid car, where relevant.
If the vehicle has finance owing, contact the lender for current information and understand what will need to be addressed before a sale. Keep account details and documents private until there is an appropriate, confirmed way to provide them.
Give the car a straightforward clean
Remove rubbish and loose personal belongings. A basic clean of the exterior and interior helps someone see the car clearly and makes photographs more useful.
There is no need to hide ordinary wear. Don’t cover warning lights or use photos that conceal damage. If you are considering spending money on repairs purely for a sale, first understand whether that work is necessary and what information a buyer needs.
Choose a safe place for photos
Park where there is enough room to walk around the car safely. Daylight and a clear background usually make it easier to show the vehicle. Avoid strong reflections, deep shadows and anything blocking important details.
Clean your phone’s camera lens and check its battery. Keep people, paperwork and personal belongings out of the image where practical. Photograph the car while stationary, and never record with your phone while driving.
Show the details, including the imperfections
A wide photo shows where a mark sits on the car. A closer photo helps show what it looks like. Take both when useful, and check that they are sharp enough to understand. The same principle applies to wheels, upholstery and other areas with wear.
Think through the practical questions
Know your preferred timing, where the car is located and how it is currently used. Make a note of anything that might affect a handover, including a missing key, a car that does not start or documents that still need locating.
Registration transfer, roadworthiness and other sale requirements can vary with location and circumstances. Check the relevant state or territory transport authority’s current guidance before an actual sale, and clarify responsibilities with the buyer.
Review before you submit
Check the car details, kilometres and condition answers together. If they do not match, resolve the difference before relying on an estimate. Keep a note of anything a reviewer should ask about.
The planned Carsellers self-assessment will bring photos, videos and condition answers into one guided process. It is not active in this preview, but you can read how it is designed to work.
Try the sample enquiry with example details. The form saves sample vehicle and contact details. Vehicle valuations and customer email follow-up are not connected yet.