There are many ways to sell a car. Some individuals opt to trade in an old vehicle toward a new auto purchase, but sometimes selling a car by owner nets a higher profit. Here are four ways to sell a car by owner.
How to Sell a Car – Traditional Methods
Newspaper classifieds – Selling a car through a local newspaper’s classified ad section is a traditional method that may be highly effective in any town or city that boasts a loyal newspaper readership.
Park and sell arrangements – Another traditional method of selling a car by owner entails simply parking the vehicle in a high traffic location with the price and/or the seller’s contact information posted on the window. The car could be displayed in a front yard; in some cities, “park and sell” lots exist just for this purpose. The lot owners typically rent out spaces on a monthly basis and may even provide on-site personnel to watch the vehicles, administer test drives, and negotiate the car sale on the seller’s behalf.
How to Sell a Car – Non-Traditional Method of Selling an Automobile
Online vehicle listings – In recent years, selling used cars online has gained popularity. Although many buyers are wary of scams, the popularity of eBay’s motor division and the prevalence of online vehicle listing websites indicate that this method may be highly effective. Sellers can purchase paid online vehicle listings through websites such as autotrader.com, cars.com and eBay. Automobiles can be listed free of charge on Craigslist.org.
Directly to a dealership – Some car dealerships, like Carmax, will buy a car without requiring a new vehicle purchase.
Used Car Checklist – Three Things to do Before Selling an Auto by Owner
Here are three things everyone should do before selling a used car online or in person:
- Clean the vehicle. Prospective buyers will be inspecting the vehicle for defects; don’t let the car’s appearance be a reason why they walk away.
- Determine how much the car is worth. Get a starting point for negotiations. Most prospective buyers will do their own research beforehand; the owner should do the same in order to get the most money for the vehicle. Kelley Blue Book is a widely accepted resource for determining used car values.
- Obtain the vehicle’s title. The individual or bank that owns the vehicle should have this document. If a bank has the title because a lien currently exists on the vehicle, then owner should make sure to have the loan account number and all bank contact information handy. When the vehicle sells, the parties involved will need to coordinate loan payoff and title transfer with bank personnel.
Selling a Car by Owner – Setting Realistic Expectations
Selling a car takes time. Car owners should set realistic expectations. They should set aside time to field phone calls to schedule showings. They should also expect some callers to waste their time, and for some scheduled appointments to be broken. When showing the car, owners should allow enough time for a test drive and expect a serious buyer to think about the purchase at least overnight, if not longer.
Car for Sale? Consider How to Sell a Vehicle for Maximum Results
Keep the used car checklist above in mind when preparing a car for sale, and consider the best way to sell a car in a particular area for the best results. Keep in mind that selling an auto is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Online vehicle listings may work best for one type of car while newspaper classified ads work well in certain locales. The tips in this article can be used as a starting point to craft the best vehicle selling strategy for a particular automobile and location.
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