Say what you see
To make compiling your car listing easier, write the main car description in a Word document and carry out a spellcheck to minimise the chances of making a mistake.

You can copy and paste the words straight into the Ebay listing window later on.

The first thing to write is a strong line or two to start the listing off. Being positive without slipping into the slimy patois of the used car salesman is the key.

A good opening line might be “You are bidding on a very smart 2004 Kia Sorento XS diesel. This high-mileage example has a full service history, leather seats and is in excellent all-round condition”.

The main description should cover all the things a buyer needs to know. Split the description into logical sections, but keep things brief – between 150 and 200 words – to prevent buyer boredom. Make sure you mention the mileage and any desirable aspects that will make your car stand out.

It’s customary to be honest about any problems a car has, but many Ebayers dwell on the negative points of their car to an absurd extent. You have a legal obligation to be truthful, but if you overplay the bad points, it’ll simply put potential buyers off. For example, if the car has a dent, say the bodywork is excellent apart from a small dent. You are trying to sell the thing, after all.

Image is everything
The next task is the image section, where you get the chance to upload pictures. It’s important to put some thought into your images. Ebay says cars with six or more photos sell for an average of a fifth more than those with less pictures, but quality is key.

The main picture should allow viewers to see the front and one side of the car. Avoid taking the picture in bright sunshine if possible, and ensure it’s in focus and that the car fills the picture, rather than being in the middle of lots of scenery. With 12 small photos included in the listing price, there’s plenty of opportunity to show the main views, but avoid repeating photos or putting in pointless ones.

A dashboard image, including a close-up of the milometer reading, is a good idea, along with views of both sides and a shot of the rear. A good interior photo is worthwhile, as are close-ups of any faults mentioned.

There are various picture upgrade options to consider with the listing. The Supersize option is good for seeing larger versions of your pictures. This costs 60p per listing and will pay for itself in helping serious buyers make a bid. Paying the 15p requested for the Gallery picture is money well spent too.

This means a small picture of your car will appear in the search page list. The new Picture Show option, which puts your images in a slideshow along the bottom of the listing, is better suited to car accessories and isn’t really worthwhile for our purpose.

Remember to upload the best picture first as with any Ebay listing, as this is the one that will appear on the search result screen.