How to Get Rid of Your Old Vehicle and Sell It Online

How to Sell a Car Online

The option of selling or buying a car online instead of a brick-and-mortar, second-hand car dealer is a reality today that many people, especially younger generations, consider the best option. The biggest frustrations when selling a car relate to time and convenience. Today, selling a car online is a hassle-free experience that offers great convenience. You do need to make sure you use reliable platforms though, even if you want to sell a junk car. So, let’s get into some tips on how to sell a car online.

Step 1: Find Out What Your Car is Worth

You may have a figure in mind for your car, but you could be underestimating its value. Various websites will give you an estimated value for your car. They will use data based on market trends and take the make, model and mileage of your car into account. It helps to get two different estimates to know what price to expect before you try to sell it.

Step 2: Decide How to Sell Your Car

How you choose to sell your car depends on various factors, such as how soon you need your money and your car’s condition.

Dealerships for car companies usually have trade-in programs. You can sell your old car and use the money as credit for purchasing a new one. This is a quick, convenient process, and if you clean up your car and make some basic repairs, you will get a better trade-in price.

Sell a car online to a private person rather than a dealership and you may get the best price for it, but it takes more effort from you. You need to research the marketplace, take photos, create ads, communicate with potential buyers, negotiate prices, arrange test drives, etc.

Dedicated used car websites have an easy process to sell a used car and get a fair price. You can even use general online marketplaces and auction houses or online classified advertising services, but this means doing most of the work yourself. If you want to sell a junk car, there are scrap car buyers who will pay cash for it.

Step 3: Choose the Right Online Platform

So many people want to sell cars online, and the demand has led to the growth of many online platforms. It is important to choose a platform that offers safety, transparency, convenience and competence. If you are looking for a quick, uncomplicated car sale online where you don’t have to wait around for buyers, there are sites that give instant valuation and cash for your car. You can also easily sell a junk car for cash on an online platform today.

Step 4: Get the Paperwork in Order

Paperwork requirements will vary depending on where you live and how you sell your car:

• Car title: If you own your car outright and don’t owe any money, you will have the car title. If your car isn’t completely paid off, you won’t have the car title, and you will need to make arrangements with a buyer’s financial institution.
• Bill of sale: A bill of sale transfers ownership between you and a buyer. It fees you from liability and gives the buyer proof of ownership.
• Warranty documents: A warranty that is transferable can add value to a sale.
• Service records: Service records aren’t legally necessary, but they can help to finalize a sale because they document routine maintenance, including oil changes, brake services, etc.

Step 5: Create an Ad on a Car-Selling Website

The photos you take are important, as this is what will attract buyers. You need to take them from multiple angles. When writing your ad copy, you need to highlight what will make your car stand out for buyers wanting to buy a used car. They will want to know if it is in good condition, offers good fuel economy and if spares are easily available.

Don’t give too many unnecessary details or vague descriptions. Try to answer any possible questions, such as why you are selling, how many people have owned the car and how many miles are on it. You need to state whether the price is negotiable or not and give your contact details.

Step 6: Filter Inquiries

Once you have posted an ad, you should get inquiries, and you need to filter them. Asking the person who wants to buy a used car for contact details, such as a full name, email address and phone number can help to build trust and deter scammers.

Clarify what type of payment you accept, and if a potential buyer asks to pay in installments, this is a big red flag. Reiterate the selling points of your car when talking to a buyer, answer questions and offer to take the buyer for a test drive.

Step 7: Arrange a Test Drive

Some sellers have been robbed by buyers who say they want to buy a used car, so you need to be careful. Meet the buyer in a public place and ask to see a driver’s license. Take along a family member or friend you trust, or at least make them aware so you can contact them if things go wrong. Don’t allow a buyer to take a test drive alone, as they can simply drive off with your vehicle.

Step 8: Negotiate the Price and Seal the Deal

If you have listed the price as negotiable, have a minimum price you are prepared to accept and stick to it. Allow the buyer to take the lead in negotiations, but it is better to walk away from a deal than accept an offer that is too low.

Complete the bill of sale, which both you and the buyer will sign and date. Sign over the title deed to the car and fill out the release of liability form. Fill out any other car sale documents necessary in your region and make copies of all the paperwork for your own records. Now, you can hand over the keys to the buyer.

Free and Alternative Options

If selling your car online doesn’t suit you, there are some easier alternative options. We briefly spoke about selling your car to a private seller, which would include less hassle paperwork-wise, but there is a lot of footwork for marketing involved. We also suggested trading your car in at a dealership where they will see how much value your car has left, and you can use that toward a new vehicle.

If you are feeling generous, you can donate your car to a good cause, whether it be a family or friend who needs a set of wheels.

However, if there is little to no value left, then we recommend selling it to a junkyard or scrapyard. Here, you will get money for the parts.

A Final Word

When you sell a used car online, it takes some research to find the right platforms to use, but following the above steps will help you in the process, whether you want to sell a used car or sell a junk car for cash.