A poorly written car advert is the single most common reason flippers hold cars for weeks instead of days. Most private car adverts are either too vague ("good condition, no issues"), keyword-stuffed without substance, or bury the key information buyers actually need. Writing a clear, honest, compelling advert takes 30 minutes and will almost always shorten your sale time and protect your asking price.
The Title: Make It Searchable
Your title must include: Year · Make · Model · Engine · Mileage. AutoTrader and eBay populate these from your listing data, but Facebook Marketplace requires you to write a title manually. A good Facebook title looks like:
2018 Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost 74k — Full Service History — 1 Owner — HPI Clear
This tells a buyer, in one line, whether it's worth clicking. Don't waste the title on adjectives like "beautiful" or "stunning" — buyers filter these out mentally.
The Description Structure
Follow this order: opening summary → key selling points → honest condition → what's been done recently → what to expect → your asking price and terms.
- Opening summary (2 sentences): What the car is, why it's a good buy. "2018 Fiesta EcoBoost in excellent overall condition, priced to sell quickly. Ideal for a first car or economical commuter."
- Key selling points (bullet list): Full service history, recent MOT, low emissions band, cambelt done, etc. Concrete facts only — no filler words.
- Honest condition: Describe any marks, dents, or wear. Buyers who know about a small scratch before arriving won't negotiate on it at the viewing. Buyers who discover it on arrival will use it to hammer you.
- Recent work: New tyres, recent service, fresh MOT — these are value-adds that differentiate your car from competing listings.
- Viewing/payment terms: "Cash or bank transfer on collection. HPI clear certificate available on request. Viewings welcome in [your town]."
What Not to Write
- "No time wasters": This phrase repels serious buyers and attracts the exact people it's trying to deter. Delete it from every advert.
- "Sold as seen": Meaningless legally if you are a trader, and it signals to buyers that there's something wrong with the car.
- Vague condition language: "Good condition for age" means nothing. Specify: "Minor scuff on rear bumper (see photo 6), all other panels straight and original."
- Price negotiation signals: "Open to offers" or "ONO" invites lowball openers from every buyer. Price it fairly and let the market respond — if no interest after 5 days, drop the price directly.
Photography: At Least 10 Photos, Taken Well
Cover: all four corners, front three-quarter, rear three-quarter, driver's seat, dashboard with odometer visible, engine bay, boot, and any significant cosmetic marks. Take photos in natural daylight — never flash, never at night. A clean background (empty car park, quiet residential street) elevates the perceived value of the car immediately. For under-£5,000 cars, good photos are the single biggest differentiator in a crowded market.
Pricing and Relisting
Price at the midpoint of AutoTrader competition — not the top, not the bottom. If you receive no genuine enquiries (not "is this still available?" messages, but actual viewing requests) within 5 days, drop the price by £100–£200 rather than waiting. Every week of no movement costs you holding time. Set a floor price below which you won't go, and work backwards from it when setting your initial asking price.