So, you've decided to part ways with your old banger and have already spotted a new, sleeker model that tickles your fancy. First things first though, you need to go about selling your exisiting car. But, with the different options available, it can be confusing deciding upon the best course of action. Indeed, what is the best way to find a new owner for your auto?

According to the experts, there are two ways to sell your car: the quick way, i.e. via a dealer; and the intelligent way, i.e. advertising it privately.

Although there are advantages to approaching a dealer ? simplicity and efficiency ? there are also drawbacks. In fact, due to the dealer having to carry out all the work for you, it's common to find that you won't end up getting the best deal for your money.

That's why it makes sense, say the professionals, to approach the issue yourself through the placement of car ads. In fact, there is a huge range of print and online media available, which has been specifically designed to make the process of selling your car as straightforward as possible.

However, before you jump straight into advertising, it pays to conduct some market research. In doing so, you will not only be informed about the price range you should be aiming for, but you'll also be able to compare different car ads to see which ones are more effective. This will serve to save you both time and money in the long run.

When you come to composing your advert, you need to think clearly about the type of information that should be included. For example, it's essential to list the make, model and style of the car first. The next step is to add in such details as the car's colour, engine size and mileage.

Only after this information has been detailed, can you think about adding in additional description. You should think carefully though about putting too much information in. For instance, it's a good idea to list the car's best features, but don't go overboard by bombarding potential buyers with too much; this will only put them off.

The next step is to think about where you want to place your car ad. Advertising online is a great way to reach a huge number of people quickly and cost-efficiently; and due to the fact you have so much space in comparison to print media, you can include more information, as well as pictures. Print advertising can be equally effective, especially since many of the relevant publications are distributed in the area where you're selling, therefore reaching a more concentrated market of potential buyers.

However, the best way to achieve effective results is to combine both print and online advertising; helping to reach a wide, yet highly targeted audience by placing in this way has proven to be very successful. And of course, attempting to gain the initial interest in your car is often the most difficult part of selling your car.

Daniel Collins writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.