Before your ad is published, you need to make sure that your car looks its very best when potential buyers arrive to view it.

First impressions are vital: if a car looks unloved and the seller seems shifty, many buyers lose interest. A well-presented car and a friendly, switched-on seller will impart confidence.

If you're organised, you've probably got all your ownership paperwork in one place. If not, get it together - it's one of the first things buyers will want to see.

Take a look at the Checking A Used Car section to vet your vehicle, and trouble-shoot where necessary. If the car is due for a MoT or a scheduled service in the near future, get this done now.

Finally, give the car a thorough clean inside and out. If it's worth £5000 or more, it's worth investing £50 or so to have it professionally valeted.