How Long Should a DoneDeal Car Ad Be?
The Core Problem
Your car is sitting on DoneDeal. You've had a few clicks, maybe one or two enquiries that went nowhere, and you're wondering if your ad description is the problem. It probably is—but not because it's too long or too short. It's because DoneDeal sellers either write nothing (a disaster) or they write the wrong things (almost as bad).
The truth: there is no magic word count that makes a DoneDeal ad sell faster. A 50-word description can outsell a 500-word essay, or vice versa. What matters is what you write and how DoneDeal's interface actually works.
Here's what nobody tells you: DoneDeal buyers spend 8 to 12 seconds scanning your headline and the first two lines of your description before they scroll down or click away. If those first two lines don't answer one of their five core questions—price, mileage, condition, NCT status, or mechanical issue—you've lost them. Everything after that is bonus.
Detailed Advice on DoneDeal Description Length
The Actual Visible Word Count
On DoneDeal, your description appears in two places:
- In the listing preview (search results page): Approximately 50–70 words are visible before "read more". Everything else is hidden behind a click.
- On the full listing page: Your entire description is visible, but most buyers have already made a snap judgement by then.
This means your first 50 words are worth ten times more than your last 200 words.
The Real-World DoneDeal Length
After reviewing hundreds of high-performing DoneDeal listings in Ireland, the most effective ads are between 80 and 250 words. Not longer, not shorter—just specific.
Example of an effective short ad (110 words):
"2015 Toyota Yaris, 1.0L petrol, 89,000 km. Excellent runner, full service history. NCT valid until March 2025. Two previous owners, non-smoker, garaged. New tyres (6 months ago), new brake pads, fresh oil service done last month. No rust, no dents, no issues. Genuine reason for sale: upgrading to automatic. €7,950. Viewed on appointment only, Dublin 6. Call or text after 6pm."
Why this works: every sentence answers a buyer question. NCT date (crucial), service history (reduces risk), recent work done (shows maintenance), location (Dublin premium), and availability (sets expectations).
Example of an ineffective long ad (380 words):
"Beautiful family car that has been a joy to own. Lovely colour, great for the school run or weekend trips. Very comfortable seats, spacious interior, really reliable. Has never let us down. We're upgrading to a bigger car so this needs to find a new home. Great value for money. Lots of recent work done, we've looked after it very well. Lovely car, would recommend to anyone looking for dependable transport. Suitable for anyone really, first-time buyers welcome…" [continues with vague anecdotes]
Why this fails: zero specific information. No NCT date, no service records mentioned, no mileage, no price clarity, no actual mechanical detail. Irish buyers will skip this in seconds.
The DoneDeal Paragraph Structure
The highest-performing ads on DoneDeal follow this structure:
Paragraph 1 (35–50 words): Year, make, model, engine size, mileage, condition in one sentence. Then one standout feature or recent work. Example: "2018 Volkswagen Golf 1.4 petrol, 112,000 km. Immaculate condition, new brakes and tyres, full service history."
Paragraph 2 (40–60 words): NCT and tax status, ownership history, and specific recent work or issues. Example: "NCT valid until November 2025. One owner from new, non-smoker, garaged. Recent work: full brake service, four new tyres (Michelin), engine oil and filter, air filter."
Paragraph 3 (30–50 words): Location, price, and how to contact you. Example: "Dublin 8. €9,950 (fixed price, no haggling). Viewings by appointment only. Call after 6pm or text anytime."
Total: 105–160 words. Scannable. Direct. In that order.
What Most Sellers Get Wrong
1. Writing a story instead of specs: "I bought this car in 2019 and it's been brilliant…" Buyers don't care. They want mileage, NCT date, and price in the first 20 words.
2. Hiding bad news at the bottom: If there's a dent, a service warning light, or a non-advisory NCT failure, bury it in the middle of paragraph 2, not in an essay at the end. And disclose it fully—Irish buyers WILL find out anyway via Cartell.ie.
3. Using vague condition descriptions: "Good condition" means nothing. Use "immaculate", "excellent runner", "minor scuff on N/S door", or "steering tie-rod knock, needs attention". Specificity builds trust.
4. Listing the same car three times with different descriptions: DoneDeal's algorithm penalizes duplicate listings. If your car is still active, don't relist it. Bump it instead.
5. Not mentioning NCT or service history at all: On DoneDeal, 40% of buyers click away if NCT status isn't visible in the first 100 words. Full stop. This is not a suggestion.
6. Writing 600+ word essays: You will not sell more cars. You will waste your own time. DoneDeal's layout favours clarity over word count.
Quick Wins You Can Do Today
If your car isn't selling, rewrite your description using this template:
- Open with the exact year, make, model, engine size, and mileage on line 1.
- Add the NCT expiry date on line 2.
- List three specific recent jobs or reasons the car is in good condition (new tyres, recent service, new battery, etc.).
- State the price and location clearly.
- Keep it under 180 words.
- Repost the listing (delete and relist, or use the Bump feature).
Test a shorter version first: If you currently have 400+ words, cut it to 150. See if enquiries increase. Irish DoneDeal buyers respond to brevity and specificity, not prose.
Move critical info to the headline: Instead of "Toyota Yaris for sale", try "Toyota Yaris 2015, 89k, NCT March 2025, €7,950". That single change can increase clicks by 20–30%.
Check your competitor listings: Find three similar cars at a similar price point on DoneDeal. Count their words. Look at their structure. Steal their format (not their content). Irish buyers scan multiple listings for the same car type—make sure your structure is as clear as the best ones.
The Final Word on DoneDeal Ad Length
There is no "right" length. But there is a right approach: write 100–200 words that directly answer the five things Irish buyers ask in the first eight seconds (price, mileage, NCT, condition, mechanical issues). Leave everything else out. If you have something genuinely important to add (full service history, no rust, brand new clutch), add it. But filler adds nothing.
Most DoneDeal ads fail not because they're too long or too short, but because they're vague. Buyers can feel the difference between a seller who knows their car inside out and writes it clearly, versus a seller who is hoping nobody notices the problems. Be the first type. Specify everything. Keep it tight. Watch your enquiries increase.
If you're not sure what your car is actually worth on the current DoneDeal market, or if you're wondering whether the price you've set is stopping enquiries from coming in, see exactly what your car is worth based on real DoneDeal data right now with a CarIQ valuation report (€19.99). It shows you the realistic asking price range in your area, how many similar cars are listed, and where your ad sits in the market. Sometimes a better description won't fix a listing—the price will.