How & Where to Sell Your Used Car

When it comes to vehicles you no longer need or want, how to make the sale can be confusing and overwhelming. While the laws differ somewhat from state to state, here’s some general steps to follow to sell a used car, and some of the places where you can sell it.

How Do I Sell My Car? 

Step 1: Gather Up Your Paperwork

Selling a car, and buying one, always involves some paperwork. First, find or acquire your vehicle’s title. You’ll need this to sell the car. In most states, you can sign the back to transfer the title.

If possible, you should also gather maintenance logs, repair records, insurance claims on the vehicle, and a vehicle history report if you have them. All of these documents can potentially increase the value of your vehicle to a perspective buyer.

Step 2: Clean & Clean Out Your Car

You want your car to give the best visual presentation you can achieve. That means you need to clean your car inside and out. Wash the exterior, clean out and vacuum the interior, Armor All the tires and interior surfaces, and dust off any grime.

If your vehicle has an infotainment center and/or navigation, be sure to clean that as well. Delete all connections to your personal devices, and remove addresses from the navigation system, especially your home address. You don’t want to accidentally sell your personal information along with the car.

Step 3: Do Your Homework

Information is your best defense against getting scammed or ripped off. Find out the fair market value of your vehicle from sources like Kelly Blue Book, Edmunds and National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) price guides. 

We all get attached to our cars, but be honest with yourself about the condition of your vehicles when determining its value. No one wants to get ripped off, but you also don’t want to drive off potential buyers by asking for more than the car is worth.

Check what your local laws require when you sell a car so you know about all the needed paperwork and what your legal responsibilities and rights are.

Step 4: Find a Buyer

This is where things can get complicated. You’ve got several options when it comes to finding a buyer. You can, of course, market and sell the vehicle yourself. If you choose to go that route, here are a few tips that will help: 

1. Take Good Pictures- Cover all the exterior angles to give a good 360-degree view. Don’t forget to take internal photos of the seats and the instrument panel. Include any damage to be honest and transparent.
2. Give a Good Description – Include all relevant details, both good and bad. What would you want to know if you were thinking about buying this car?
3. List Your Vehicle Where Potential Buyers Likely Look – Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, newspaper classified ads (Yes, they still exist.) and other local marketplaces reach lots of potential buyers. Also consider listing your vehicle in your social media feeds.
4. Use Caution & Be Safe – Among the genuinely interested buyers you may encounter scam artists or criminals. Use good judgement to stay safe:
   • Be careful about what personal information you list in your ads.
   • Don’t let anyone test drive a vehicle alone.
   • Don’t meet buyers in unfamiliar or dark places.
   • Don’t sign over your title unless you get paid.
   • Don’t accept questionable payment methods like cryoptocurrency, foreign checks, or personal checks you can’t verify.
   • Don’t let anyone pressure you into making a decision faster than you are comfortable with.
   • Remember that it’s okay to walk away if something doesn’t feel right.

What Paperwork do I need to sell my car privately?

In order to sell your vehicle privately, you’ll need to have the title for the vehicle. You’ll also likely need a change of ownership form from your state’s motor vehicle authority. Usually, you can download these from the government agency’s website and either mail it in or submit it electronically. 

Do I Need to Notify the DMV If I Sold My Car?

Yes, you need to notify the DMV if your car gets a new owner. Usually this is done by filing a form that notifies the government that the transfer has happened. Don’t just wait until the new owner registers the vehicle. If they don’t register it promptly, you could be held responsible for traffic violations, tolls, and even accidents caused by the new owner if government records show the car still belongs to you.

Do I Have To Pay Taxes or Other Fees If I Sell My Car?

Typically, any taxes or fees for purchasing a vehicle are paid by the buyer. Sales taxes are only collected by registered businesses, and the most common fees and taxes are paid when the purchaser registers the vehicle with the state or county to get the tags and/or plates.

Where Else Can I Sell My Car?

If you don’t want to sell your vehicle yourself, you have several other options to consider. Here are a few of them:

Dealerships – Dealerships will buy vehicles even if you aren’t trading it in on a new or used car. Just be aware Dealers are likely to make the lowest offer for your used vehicle. Many dealers won’t buy damaged vehicles.

Recyclers – Even vehicles that are damaged and/or not running have value. They can be recycled for parts to keep other vehicles running, and the raw materials like steel, plastic and aluminum can be re-used for other products. 

Charities – You can donate your car to a charity and receive a tax deduction for its fair value. This won’t bring you cash but will let you help others in need.

Commercial Buyers – Buying services spend millions advertising that they’ll buy your old cars, working or not. You can find them in ads on TV, the radio, podcasts and online. But it can be hard to narrow down which one you want to sell your car to.

Where Is the Best Place to Sell a Car?

The best place to sell your car should be able to give you a competitive bid based on real market conditions, pay promptly with a reliable method, and make the sale swift and simple.

Cash for Cars makes the entire process far less stressful than most of your other options. Here’s how it works:

1. Get a Free Offer – Either fill out an online form or call 855-459-1320 to give us your VIN and other basic information and get your no-obligation offer.
2. Accept the Offer – You can accept the offer immediately or take up to 7 days to think it over.
3. Schedule Pickup & Payment – Pick a time convenient for you for one of our transporters to pick up your vehicle, title and keys and deliver your payment. You don’t even have to be there.

How Does Cash For Cars Make It Fast, Safe & Easy?

We know anyone can claim to be your best opportunity to sell your car, so here’s how we deliver on our promises.
Fast – Since we’re part of Copart, a global leader in all online auto auctions, we have more than 250 locations across the country. That means there’s probably a location conveniently near you, so we can often pick up vehicles within 24 hours.
Safe – We’re part of a company that’s been in business for 40 years and is publicly traded on the NASDAQ. You can be confident the payment check is good and our transporters are ethical professionals. We also base our offers on millions of annual auction sales so we can give you the most accurate price.
Easy – The entire process of getting an offer, accepting it, and scheduling your pickup takes minutes. You don’t even have to detail your car since we buy vehicles in any condition. 

The Bottom Line On How to Complete the Sale of Your Car

If you have a car you’d like to turn into money, Cash for Cars can make that happen quickly with a minimum of stress. Try it for yourself by calling 1-855-459-1320.