Okay, so you're not John Grisham and the last letter you wrote was a forged sick-note to your third-grade teacher. It doesn't matter because wording a classified advertisement isn't difficult.

According to the latest research, people shopping for a second-hand car tend to make lists of cars that work for them in the advert, then go out and look at all of them. Your job, as a seller, is to make sure your car makes that short-list. After that, it's down to the car itself and your skills as a negotiator.

But it's the advert that has to get you to first base. Include in the ad anything that helps to justify your asking price. Features that might set it apart from the pack also help and include as many phone numbers as possible including work, after-hours and mobile phone numbers where possible. Nothing annoys a buyer faster than not being able to reach the seller.

Essential information

• Make and Model Series, not just Ford, but Ford KC Laser
• Model level eg GL, Ghia, TX3
• Year
• Engine capacity, eg 1.6
• Transmission, eg 5-speed, auto
• Air-con, power steering, CD player if fitted
• Road Worthy Certificate (RWC)
• Price eg $5800 but not $5995 as this fools no one and suggests you are a dealer pretending to be a private seller. Add ONO or OBO (or nearest offer, or best offer) if negotiable
• Registration number
• Phone number including area code. Mobile numbers can be a turn-off to some buyers providing the impression of someone without a fixed address

Helpful additions

• Kilometres to the nearest 100
• Number of owners if it's very few
• Service history if you have the documents
• Balance of new car warranty if there's any left
• Condition, but don't oversell it
• Popular colour or features like leather, immobiliser, power windows

Article by Joe Kenwright and CarPoint.com.au