Find out your car’s value
First, you need to figure out what your car is worth. We recommend using services like blackbook.com to determine the value of your car.
The value of your car is calculated based on the car model, mileage, general condition, where you live, etc.
In most cases, you will get a trade-in price, which is the price you’d get from a local dealer, and a higher private price, which is what you’ll get by selling it privately. If the price gap isn’t too big, it might be worth it to save yourself the hassle and just sell it to a dealer, especially if you are planning to buy a new car from the same dealer.
However, if your car is in good condition, you can get a much higher price by selling it privately!
It might be a good idea to check different websites to see how much similar cars are being sold for in your area.
If you’ve made up your mind and decided to sell privately, the next step is to get all the paperwork ready.
Proper documentation
Getting all the documentation in order is not only necessary for legal purposes, but it can also increase the value of your car. First and foremost, you need to get your vehicle’s title.
Potential buyers might also want to see maintenance records and a vehicle history report. These may cost a little bit to get, but they increase your car’s value, so it will all be worth it in the end!
Lastly, if you are still paying off a loan for your car, you’ll need to pay that off first. If you’ve paid off your loan, you should contact your bank and get that in writing too.
Clean your car inside and out
Once you are legally ready to sell your car, it’s time to make her look pretty!
Based on your car’s condition, it may be worth it to hire a professional. You need to clean both the interior and exterior of the car, including any items you have in the car. Scrub the seats, vacuum the floor and the carpets, make sure the odometer also looks nice and clean, do not leave a single inch untouched. Make sure your car smells nice, especially if you’ve smoked inside it.
Take nice pictures
Now that your car is looking her best, you can take pictures. Pictures are like the billboard for your car. Make sure you’re using a good camera to get high-quality pictures. The lighting, angles, and framing can also do wonders for the price.
You should absolutely include a picture of your odometer, as well as the exterior from all angles. Also take plenty of pictures of the interior to show the condition of the seats. Do not try to hide any scratches or rust. Honesty is the best policy here.
Also add anything you plan to sell with the car, such as spare tires or racks, or other accessories.
Create a listing
You have your price, you have your pictures, so you’re ready to create a listing.
Based on how long you are willing to wait, you can list your car for a higher price first, and lower the price if no one contacts you for a while.
Selling a car also comes with haggling. The final price might be a bit lower than what you had listed, so consider that when choosing your price.
Lastly, for the description, try to include as many details as possible. Think about the buyer’s point of view. They probably want to know if you took care of the car, such as when it was last serviced or what kind of oil you were using, etc.
Turn your notifications on
The next step is to wait for potential buyers to contact you. You will likely get some non-serious and scam offers too, so be careful who you talk to.
Serious buyers will want to see the car in person, so schedule a meeting and go for a test drive with them. Make sure the car is clean and fueled.
It’s easy to miss a message if you list your car on multiple websites, so make sure to check regularly.
Sell your car
The final step is to complete the sale. Make sure you document everything, such as writing out a bill of sale and getting the reassigned title and the buyer’s ID. You will also need to cancel insurance and any other services and collect your plate.
Based on where you live, the documentation necessary may differ, so check with your local government office.
Get a copy of all of the documents and you’re done! Enjoy your money!