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Virtually everything can be done online these days. Why is buying a car different from selling it?
The internet makes selling a car quick and easy. Online dealers and digital marketplaces make it easy to find the right buyer, showcase your products, and get the best value for your vehicle. This is essential given that used car prices have fallen in recent months.
Not sure where to start? Here’s how to sell your car online, from finding potential buyers to finding the best places to sell your car online.
Things to do before selling your car
Now you are ready to sell used cars online. Getting started is easy. There are a few things to consider to maximize the value of your ride.
Before listing your car and setting a fair price, we recommend that you consider the market offer and specific prospects. The best way to sell your car online depends on your priorities, time constraints, year of car manufacture, condition, etc.
Here are some basic steps to follow before selling your car online.
1. Decide if it’s for businesses or individuals
First and foremost, consider whether you will sell your car to an online dealer or to a private individual. Both options have advantages and disadvantages. Whether the former or the latter is for you depends on the car’s value and desired sales experience.
Here are some factors to consider in order to make a better informed decision.
- car condition. If the vehicle is in poor condition and needs a lot of work (or needs a complete restoration), we recommend selling it to the dealer. As opposed to individual buyers who may not be interested in a deal that requires immediate overwork, some online auto companies are specifically looking for vehicles in need of restoration.
- your availability. One of the benefits of selling your car to a company is that the buyer does all the heavy lifting for you. Marketing to individuals requires spending time monitoring listings and negotiating with buyers.
- your knowledge. Do you know everything there is to know about your car? Are you familiar with the market and how to sell a car personally? If not, you may need to do some learning and research to handle all aspects of marketing and sales yourself.
- Possible fraud. Selling to private buyers means meeting strangers and accepting contracts. This can leave room for fraud, but not when selling to businesses. A reputable online car dealer will give you the legal paperwork to make a safe transaction.
Selling your car to a business is generally faster and easier, but less profitable. Selling to individuals, on the other hand, might get you more payouts, but requires you to put more time and effort into the process.
Some online dealers such as CarMax and Carvana offer trade-in options. That means you can put the value of your old car into the down payment for your new car.
By trading in your old car, you can easily upgrade it without spending time selling or shopping. However, a trade-in may not provide as much value as a private sale. If you have time to put your old car up for sale and look for a new one, it might be worth taking some cash with you to make the purchase.
2. Preparation of vehicle documents
Before you start the car sales process, make sure you have all the necessary paperwork, including maintenance logs. Whether a business or an individual, buyers need complete records of mechanical problems, repairs completed, and routine maintenance (such as oil changes and tire rotations).
VIN reports are available online if you do not have previous records. All you need to find your car’s accident and repair history is your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).
In addition, you will need the vehicle title and bill of sale. Here’s a quick overview of their differences:
vehicle name
A vehicle title is proof of ownership, essentially a document proving the right to sell the vehicle. Whether selling to individuals or businesses, buyers want to verify vehicle ownership to ensure compliance and secure purchases.
Once the sale is complete, the new owner takes ownership of the vehicle. This is a transfer normally handled by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). All you need to do is provide your and the buyer’s signatures.
bill of sale
You can also obtain a bill of sale from the DMV or an official document specifically confirming the sale of the vehicle to an individual. It must be signed by both you and the purchaser and serves as a record for future purchasers, tax purposes, and DMV records.
3. Find out the market value of your car
Before you list your car for sale online, we recommend checking the approximate market price so that you can put the right price tag on it. This ensures that you get the right amount for your vehicle whether you sell it to a business or an individual.
Luckily, you don’t have to be a car expert to find the right price for your car. A simple search for “sell used cars online” will bring up many sites offering free quotes. For the most accurate forecast, enter only the vehicle make, mileage and year of manufacture.
Sites such as the Kelly Blue Book and Edmunds offer free and instant cost estimates. However, if you’re looking for a more accurate assessment, you can bring your car to an auto dealer and get an accurate quote for a small fee. You can sell your car online for free or pay a small fee for more advanced marketing.
4. Read about common car buying scams
Finally, before you post the listing yourself, learn about common scams people experience on the used car market. Especially in financial transactions, we want the process to be as secure as possible.
To protect yourself from fraud, consider the following steps.
- We only accept cash or bank transfer as a form of payment as checks can be risky.
- Check your customer’s background to ensure credibility.
- Choose a safe, public place and meet the buyer in person.
One more quick note about scams — be aware that buyers are also taking precautions. Honesty is very important at both ends of the sale. Be prepared to share details about your vehicle and your sales history.
how to sell your car online
Online car sales are more popular than ever. It’s quick, convenient, and easy, and if you follow the precautions, you can trade with confidence.
This list covers several options for car sales online, so you know what to expect before posting the list.
Choose an online marketplace or retailer
First, you have to choose a platform. If you search for “where to sell cars online” you will get a lot of results. However, we recommend that you consider and compare available retailers and markets rather than picking the first one that catches your eye. is essential to choose.
Depending on your priorities and time constraints, you can:
- Sell your car online in the digital marketplace. Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, and Cars.com are the most popular places to advertise and find individual buyers.
- Sell your car to Calvana. With Carvana, you can receive car offers in less than two minutes. The company can also replace your car with a newer model.
- Sell your car to carmax. As one of the oldest online car dealers, CarMax offers quick offers and takes care of all the heavy lifting.
- Sell your car to Vroom. The platform offers fast, free appraisals, provides vehicle history reports, and picks up vehicles when they’re ready for sale.
The best place to sell your car online depends on the type of deal you want and other factors. However, no matter which option you choose, make sure you choose a reputable website or online platform.
Comparing online markets is also worth considering, especially if you are looking for a particular advantage. For example, platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace let you reach local buyers so you can easily meet them in person to show them your car. Similarly, sites such as Autotrader and CarGurus specialize in car sales and are well developed, reducing the risk of fraud.
You can also post your list across multiple platforms. A wider reach leads to more offers in the long run. Keep track of your listings and be sure to remove them once you’ve sold your vehicle.
Take clear photos of every angle and imperfection
No car will sell without 100% transparency. When taking photos for online advertising, be sure to include all the final scratches, scuffs and dents. Buyers should know what to expect when coming to see a car.
That doesn’t mean you should avoid showing the good side of your car. Consider adding new hubcaps, seat covers, or other accessories to increase curb appeal by cleaning the inside and out before taking pictures, and to attract more buyers.
Include all vehicle details including VIN in the description
Again, transparency is essential. Ads must include all major and minor details of the vehicle, including history, previous mechanical issues, and VIN. That way, skeptical buyers can look up the vehicle’s history for themselves and double-check their claims.
If you sell it to a dealer, send it for an appraisal.
The nice thing about selling your car to a dealer is that their team will take care of all the heavy lifting. Get appraisals, offers, the right legal documents, and any other documents you need without lifting a finger.
Set your price and wait for offers from potential buyers
When you sell a car to a private customer, you set the price yourself. Except manual work, it is profitable. For example, starting at the top end of your car price range can potentially earn you more money.
As long as you make a reasonable quote, you can sell your car for a higher price and get the best possible value. If you don’t see your offers within a week or two, you can always lower your costs and run new ads.
Take Precautions When Closing Trades
Beware of offers that seem too good to be true. Always meet the buyer in person in a public place. If they insist on paying by cash check, you can always visit their bank and have them pick up the check.
Trading vehicles with online buyers is not always a good idea. Trade-in is a great way to trade a car with a dealer, but it can be difficult to prove the car’s worth in each individual transaction. I would suggest selling the car for cash and using that cash to buy a new car on your own time.
List your car online now
Selling a car online is a simple process. You can get quotes, post listings, and talk to potential buyers without getting off your couch.
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