The key here is be honest and keep it simple. Describing your car simply and factually in your ad will go down a lot better with potential buyers than a paragraph of dealer-speak using phrases like "top spec" and "drives superb", or describing anything at all about the car as "stunning".

Start off with the car's make, exact model and engine size. Mention the car's registration year and age-identifying letter/number. If no picture is included with the ad, mention the colour. Then you can move on to the car's features that will make the value of your car stand out - eg. sunroof, electrics, alloys, cd player, air con. See our example below.

KwikTip: always get a car insurance quote from Direct Line too,
as they don't take part in the price comparison websites.

Wind up with a comment on the car's condition and service history and give the month the MOT and tax run out. Finish off with the price, putting 'ono' (or nearest offer) afterwards to show flexibility, and your contact number. Include a landline if at all possible as well as a mobile - it always looks better.

Here's an example:
Fiat Bravo 1.6SX 3dr, 1998 (R), manual, 85,000 miles, metallic grey, power steering, central locking, electric windows & sunroof, airbag, cd stereo, MOT October '13, tax Aug '14, 2 new tyres, service history
£695 ono Tel. (landline) or (mobile).

If your ad doesn't tell a potential buyer all these basics that they'll want to know, you risk them carrying on reading for the ads that do. Only if they can't find any will they come back to yours and bother phoning you to ask for the missing info. Hardly ideal if you're after a quick sale.

Features buyers will be especially keen to read about are mileage, service history (especially if full and by a dealer) and a full year's tax and MOT. Don't be tempted to leave out the mileage if it's a high number. If it's not there, buyers will assume it's high anyway, and move on to the next advert.

Legally, your car must be 'as described'. So don't be tempted to misrepresent it in your ad or not answer questions honestly when you're showing it to potential buyers. You could be forced to give them their money back.

Here's a list of a few common abbreviations to use in your ad to save money when paying by word:

4wd - four wheel drive
4ws - four wheel steering
a/wheels - alloy wheels
air/con - air conditioning
abs - anti-lock braking system
c/coded - colour coded
c/con - cruise control
clim/con - climate control
c/l - central locking
e/m - electric mirrors
e/seats - electric seats
e/s/r - electric sunroof
e/w - electric windows
esp - electronic stability programme
ffs/r - factory fitted sunroof
fsh - full service history
fdsh - full dealer service history
gc - good condition
h/l/w/w - headlamp wash wipe
h/seats - heated seats
immob - engine immobiliser
lhd - left-hand drive
lpg - liquified petroleum gas (fueled)
lwb - long wheelbase
mpv - multi purpose vehicle
ono - or nearest offer
ovno - or very nearest offer
pas - power assisted steering
p/x or p/ex - part exchange
r/cass - radio cassette
r/h/r - rear head restraints
r/s/b - rear seat belts
r/w/w - rear wash wipe
satnav - satellite navigation system
s/r - sunroof
suv - sports utility vehicle
swb - short wheel base
t/glass - tinted glass
t/win - tinted windows
t&t - taxed and tested
vgc - very good condition

selling a car: how to prepare the car >>