You've just made a life decision. You're going to sell your car and buy something new, or perhaps you need the money, so it makes sense to trade in your old ride for cash. Whatever the reason, you need to know what mistakes to avoid when selling your car for cash.

1. Not Knowing Your Car's Value

It costs you nothing to find out how much your car is worth, and it could save you a lot of time and heartache. Sites like Kelley Blue Book, NADA, or Edmunds are great tools to use when determining accurate values. You can also call a few dealerships or look online at their inventory to see what they're selling for.

2. Allowing Your Emotions Impact Pricing Decisions

Do not let your emotions guide you in pricing decisions. Your car is just a thing—it isn't worth much to anyone except you, so don't be offended if someone offers you significantly less than what you are asking. It is important to remember that they have no emotional attachment to it and will never look at it the way you do. To them, your car is just a vehicle they want to buy.

3. Not Having All the Paperwork (Title, Registration) Together

Before you even begin looking for potential buyers, make sure you have all the paperwork needed to transfer ownership. You don't want to be in a situation where somebody is interested in your car, and you can't sell it to them because the title is missing.

4. Inflating Your Vehicle Condition

People will be able to tell if your car is in bad shape. That's part of the reason why they are only willing to pay a certain price for it. Even if you take great care of your vehicle and keep it clean, what goes on underneath the hood and inside the cabin may not be pristine. Be honest with yourself, or you will end up giving away your car for little to nothing.

5. Making Extensive Repairs and Improvements

There's no faster way to lose money than making lots of repairs or improvements before selling your car. The buyer will typically have a good idea of what the car's value is before contacting you, and if they believe it is overpriced after seeing the mechanical updates you made, they will simply walk away. There's no sense in investing more money than what your car is worth when trying to sell it.

6. Not Knowing How to Advertise Your Car

The more information you include, the better. If you only include a couple of pictures and no description, it looks as if your car is not worth taking a look at. The more pictures you have, the better—as long as they're high quality. You also want to list as many features and options as possible.

7. Not Exploring Other Options

If you are having trouble selling your car, it may be time to consider other options. This includes junking it. According to the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, around 95 percent of vehicles retired from service in the United States are recycled. This is higher than recycling rates for paper (72%), steel cans (67%), aluminum cans (50%), and glass (33%). This shows there is a huge market for buying and recycling cars.

8. Not Responding to Inquiries Promptly

There is a difference between ignoring someone and simply not having the time to respond. If you ignore potential buyers, they will think something is wrong with your car and move on to another seller. However, if you let them know that you are busy (or away), they may be willing to wait for you as long as they know it is only a matter of time before they hear back from you.

9. Falling for Cash for Cars Scams

Unfortunately, cash for cars scams are quite prevalent. Therefore, it's best to take your time when trying to sell your car and not be in a rush to get rid of it. If someone contacts you with an incredibly low offer or tries to get, you to sign off the car with a promise to pay cash once they've taken it, walk away.

Selling a car can be a very emotional experience. You may have spent years and thousands of dollars on it, so it's not easy to just let go. However, by avoiding the mistakes listed above, you can help ensure that you get the best price possible.