The RIGHT Way to Sell Your Used 4X4

So, it’s time to let your current 4X4 go. Maybe the family’s grown, maybe you’re upgrading, or maybe the old girl’s just not getting the love she used to. Whatever the reason, you’re ready to sell, and you want to do it properly. Without stuffing people around. Without getting stuffed around, and definitely without turning into one of those blokes who list it on Marketplace with no rego, no price and two photos, one of which is their thumb.

Selling a used 4X4 doesn’t have to be painful. With a bit of prep, some clear photos, and an honest write-up, you can get the thing sold without resorting to backyard tactics or dealing with every tyre kicker this side of the Dog Fence.

Here’s my guide to getting it done right, no drama, no dodginess, and no “What’s your best price?” texts at 2AM on a Tuesday.

Get Your 4WD Ready

Before you whip the camera out, give your 4X4 a solid, deep clean. Not just a quick rinse with the hose, this is the time to finally fish out the forty-seven Maccas chips that have been living under the backseat since your kids were in primary school.

While you’re at it, fix the little stuff. Replace the dead globe in the interior that you never got around to, tighten the cargo barrier that’s been rattling for the last five years, and give the vehicle a once over. If the old bus smells like wet dog and fuel, that’s a sale killer. And if there’s anything obviously broken (cracked tail light, dodgy switches, or other issues) sort them or be upfront about them in the ad.

checking underbody of toyota landcruiser repair

List it for What it’s Worth, Not What it Owes You

Be honest with yourself about your rig’s real value. Sure, you’ve got memories tied up in it, and maybe you reckon your GQ Patrol is “basically a classic.” But buyers care about service history, condition, and the right mods, not how many times it’s crossed the Simmo. A seller should never expect to get back exactly what the vehicle owes them, most of the time mods aren’t taken into account unless it’s something significant like a tray and canopy setup etc.

Jump online and check recent sales for the same make, model, year, and spec. Use sites like Carsales, Gumtree, Marketplace, and Redbook to get a feel for what’s actually selling, not just what’s listed. Take into account kms, mods, condition, and location.

Price it fairly, leave yourself a little room for negotiation, but don’t take the mickey. An overpriced 4X4 will just sit there gathering dust and lowballing it means you’re the one missing out.

Write an Honest Ad

Now it’s time to write the ad. You should be straight-up, clear, and cover the things buyers actually care about. Skip the cliches and don’t waffle. Mention:

• The basics (make, model, year, engine, transmission)
• Kilometres, rego expiry, and if it comes with a roadworthy
• Service history and any major recent work (new clutch, timing belt, etc)
• Mods and accessories (but be honest about what’s quality, what’s cheap and what’s working)
• The good stuff (reliable, no accidents, never been drowned)
• The not-so-good stuff (scratches, hail, wear and tear etc, save yourself awkward conversations later)
• Why you’re selling (optional, but helps helps show you’re a genuine seller)

If you’ve still got the logbooks, receipts, or spare keys, mention it. And please, for everyone’s sanity, use punctuation and take more than two photos.

A good ad example:

• 2012 Hilux SR5, 3.0L turbo diesel, auto, 248,000km. $30,000 ONO.
• Owned for 5 years, mostly highway and camping trips.
• Rego till December, RWC supplied.
• Mods: ARB bullbar, 2” Old Man Emu lift, dual batteries, GME UHF, drawers in the back, new BFGs.
• Just serviced, timing belt done at 220k.
• Couple of bush pinstripes and small dent in the tailgate, otherwise clean.
• Selling to upgrade to a 200 Series.
• Located in Newcastle, no swaps.

Take Proper Photos

The photos are without a doubt the most important part of any ad for a used vehicle. Remember the old saying “a picture is worth a thousand words?” Well they’re worth few thousand bucks in this case, so make sure you get it right. You don’t need a drone, but you do need more than three blurry shots. Take clear photos in good light, front, back, both sides, interior, engine bay, and any key mods or accessories. Snap the odometer and the tyres. Be honest, if there’s a ding, scratch, or faded bonnet, show it.

A decent set of photos means less back-and-forth, fewer time-wasters, and buyers who actually know what they’re coming to see. If you think this is the time to get fancy and edit the photos, it’s not. Obviously edited photos in ads set off alarm bells for potential buyers. 

Dealing With Buyers

Let’s be real, when you list a car for sale you’re going to end up being contacted by all sorts of people. The eager ones, the “best price cash today” crowd, the ones who go quiet as soon as you mention roadworthy, and the classic tyre-kickers who “just want to take a look.” Don’t let it get to you.

Set clear expectations. Only hold the car for someone who’s put down a deposit. Meet in a safe, public place. Don’t let anyone test drive solo or without a copy of their ID. And if someone gives you the creeps or seems dodgy, trust your gut and walk away.

Always have your paperwork ready (rego, RWC, transfer forms), and write a receipt for both parties. Check your local requirements. Some states need a roadworthy for sale, some don’t. Make sure the VIN, engine number, and details match the papers. Once the sale’s done, lodge the transfer online or with the rego authority, so you don’t get stung for their future speeding fines.

Don’t Get Scammed

When it comes to scams, trust your gut and look for the red flags: buyers who claim they’re “overseas on a rig” but will send someone to collect the vehicle, requests to pay via gift cards, crypto, or any payment platform you’ve never heard of, or people who want your personal or bank details before even seeing the car. If someone offers to pay you extra for “shipping costs,” tries to rush the deal, or gets cagey when you suggest meeting in person, walk away. In the world of used cars, if it sounds dodgy or too good to be true, it’s almost always a scam.

The Sellers Checklist 

Before you hand over the keys, tick these off:

• Given it a proper clean, inside and out
• Fixed (or been upfront about) any little issues
• Checked market value and set a fair, realistic price
• Written a clear, honest ad with all the important info
• Taken clear, honest photos (including any damage)
• Gathered log books, service history, spare keys
• Sorted the paperwork: rego, roadworthy, transfer forms, receipt
• Met buyers safely, and never let it out of your sight on test drives or obtained a copy of buyers ID
• Transferred rego promptly after the sale

Selling your 4X4 doesn’t have to be a saga. Put a bit of effort in, stay honest, and don’t fall for Marketplace madness. Do it right, and you’ll get a fair price and maybe even help someone else start their own run of beach trips, bush weekends, and late-night Maccas runs.