5 mistakes that make buyers ignore your car ad

You're selling your car. You post the ad online and wait. But no one’s calling. No offers.

The problem? Most likely — your ad isn’t working.

Here are the 5 most common mistakes that cause buyers to scroll past your car ad, and how to fix them.

 1. Bad or Missing Photos

A picture is worth 1,000 dollars — literally. Buyers skip listings with dark, blurry, or incomplete photos.

✅ Fix it:
Take 8–12 high-quality photos: exterior (all sides), interior, trunk, dashboard, odometer, tires, engine. Shoot during daylight, after a car wash.

 2. No Real Description

Buyers don’t want guesswork. If your ad just says “Great condition, runs good,” that’s a red flag.

✅ Fix it:
Be specific. Mention the year, mileage, number of owners, service history, major repairs, features, and why you’re selling.
Example:

2018 Toyota Camry SE, 89,000 mi, 2 owners, clean title, new tires, brake service just done. Backup camera, Bluetooth. Selling because I upgraded to an SUV.

 3. Too Much Text or All Caps

Wall-of-text descriptions or aggressive formatting push people away.

✅ Fix it:
Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and clear headings. Think like a buyer: can they scan the info in 10 seconds?

 4. No Clear Price or Contact Info

If your ad doesn’t say how much, or how to reach you, many buyers won’t bother asking.

✅ Fix it:

• Always list a price, even if negotiable.

• Include at least one direct way to contact you.

• Avoid vague terms like “serious buyers only” — let the ad do the filtering.

 5. Low Trust Triggers

Anything that makes your listing seem shady or suspicious is a dealbreaker.

✅ Fix it:

• Write like a real person.

• Use real photos of your car.

• Offer VIN history or say it's available.

• Mention if it's a clean title.

✅ Make Your Car Ad Stand Out