Whether you're ready to move on to bigger and better things or you just want to say goodbye to the clunker in general, selling your car can be a gratifying feeling. However, it's not as simple as parking it out front, throwing a "for sale" sign on the windshield and calling it a day. You're going to have to prepare the car for its new home. By getting your car in shape for top sale, you can help your customers get more bang for their buck, all while receiving a pretty penny to put on a down payment for your new ride.

Don't neglect your car before handing the keys over to a new owner. Instead, follow these tips for getting your car in top shape for sale.

1. Polish and detail
Before you take care of any maintenance issues, it's important to start by giving the looks some love. Forbes talked to a number of car experts and they all agreed that cleaning and detailing the car is the first step you should take to get it ready for point of sale. Ebay Motors Senior Manager Clayton Stanfield told Forbes it's a crucial yet easy task for prepping your car for a new owner.

"Thoroughly cleaning your vehicle is absolutely crucial – it's one of the simplest things you can do," he said. "You want to make sure that your potential buyers are seeing your vehicle at its best."

Invest in a thorough shampoo and vacuum job – it'll be well worth it in the long run.

2. Do your research
After giving your ride the clean and polish it deserves, it's time to analyze the car's current performance.  Your next step in preparing your car for sale is to do your research. Find out your vehicle's value and check local listings to see what else is out on the market. Also, search sale history of similar vehicles in your area – this can give you a better idea of what to expect when selling your car in regard to profit and timeliness.

Also, if you've been good about taking care of your car, make sure to gather proof to share with the buyers. About.com's Keith Griffin told Forbes that this is a critical part of the research process.

"Service records are immensely important in a private sale to show prospective buyers that things have been taken care of at the right intervals," he said.

Taking care of your car all of those years can really reward you in the end if you've saved documentation.

3. Invest in last-minute repairs
Sure, you're ready to get rid of this car, but you're not going to sell it if you have outstanding damage that needs repairs. Whether it's noticeable scratches and chipped paint or the check engine light is on, the buyer is going to hesitate when it's time to make a deal. Carsguide suggested investing your time and dollars into making these repairs. Depending on the damage of the car, it might not even cost you much. Just take the car to the shop, get an estimate for the repairs and ask if it's worth it – a maintenance worker can give you great advice about your ride.

Repairing dents and scratches before putting it on the market could determine it's likeliness of selling.

4. Top off the fluids
According to Car Talk, it's in your best interest to top of all fluids before putting your car on the market. That means getting the oil changed and filling the brake and windshield fluids. This shows the buyer that you've been taking care of the car. It also suggests that you care about the buyer – who wants to see the oil light come on over the dashboard only days after buying a car?

If you've successfully sold your car and you're ready to start your search for a new vehicle, head to NJ Auto Auction. There, you'll find a lot full of inexpensive Carfax-certified used cars to choose from.

Lemons seem to be on everyone's mind since Beyonce released her latest album album. However, in the car world, lemons are not as fierce as Queen B makes them out to be. In fact, buyers should be wary of dealers who try to sell them "lemons." Lemon cars are vehicles "that have a substantial defect covered by the warranty that occurred within a certain period of time or number of miles after you bought the car, and can not be fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts," according to NOLO.com. The source reported that about one percent of all the vehicles sold in the United States each year qualify as lemons. Though lemon cars aren't as big of a concern for buyers as they once were, people should still know how to spot them.

Do a thorough inspection 
Most people will be able to spot a questionable car immediately, but some damage is harder to catch. If you're buying a used car, do an inspection of the interior and exterior.

Interior – You should be wary of cars that smell of mold or mildew. This can be a sign of faulty window seals or past flooding. You should also check the dashboard system to ensure all the gauges work correctly. Frayed seatbelts and worn pedals are also signs of high mileage. 

Exterior – The paint job is a good indication that work has been done to the body of the car. If you notice mismatching or slightly varying paint, it can be a signal to you that the car required maintenance. Checking the tires, suspension and engine for signs of visible damage is also a smart idea.

By inspecting the car thoroughly and using your best judgment, you can lower your risk of getting stuck with a lemon.

Conduct a car history report 
Even if your dealer isn't being honest with you, a car history report will be. Either request this from the seller or find one yourself online. These reports will inform you if your car has ever been involved in an accident or recall, undergone heavy maintenance or been repossessed. It will include information that a dealer may neglect to tell you if you don't ask outright. CarFax and Lemon Checks are two great websites for accessing vehicle history reports. 

Only buy from a reputable dealer 
The surest way to avoid purchasing a lemon is to work with a dealer that has an excellent service record. Take the time to carefully research different car sellers online. You can read customer reviews and compare competitors. The more research you do, the more comfortable you will feel knowing that you're working with someone trustworthy. 

No one wants to purchase a vehicle they love only to find out that they've been duped. Knowing how to spot lemon cars could prevent buyers from getting stuck with a useless ride. If for some reason you do end up with a lemon, the DMV has a full list of the Lemon Laws in every state.