Advice on selling a car
- Thread starter ScottyP
- Start date
Pay with cash always. Oh wait, you are selling, not sure what the CF consensus is on that.
I don't know what type of car you're trading in but seriously consider carvona. I sold my BMW to them and it was pretty painless besides the drive and they are currently paying top dollar for used cars.
Handed them the title and keys, took off my plates, and they handed me a check.
Handed them the title and keys, took off my plates, and they handed me a check.
The used car market is hot right now because there is a shortage of new cars because the Cooter Ray virus slowed everything down. Depending on what you have to sell you could sell it pretty easy for more than you think. Good Luck
I've sold a couple of cars on cars.com and it was a pretty painless process. They went quick and the cars while not collectible were difficult to come by in good condition.
All you really need to do regarding paperwork is sign over the title and get a signed bill of sale. The bill of sale is nothing complicated, any download from the web will do.
Accept only cash or a cashier's check. You'll get a few responses early. They're likely to be scams, do not get too excited. If they have anything that seems the slightest bit off in the reply, don't respond.
All you really need to do regarding paperwork is sign over the title and get a signed bill of sale. The bill of sale is nothing complicated, any download from the web will do.
Accept only cash or a cashier's check. You'll get a few responses early. They're likely to be scams, do not get too excited. If they have anything that seems the slightest bit off in the reply, don't respond.
Decent information on the DMV website
I'd probably list on Craiglist, maybe FB marketplace.
I think you can also list on the major websites for free for 30(?) days. cars.com, autotrader, etc
There's some good advise in this column too:
jalopnik.com
I'd probably list on Craiglist, maybe FB marketplace.
I think you can also list on the major websites for free for 30(?) days. cars.com, autotrader, etc
There's some good advise in this column too:
How To Limit Your Risk When Selling A Used Car
A lot of my advice has focused on how not to get ripped off when buying a car, but I also get asked from time to time what advice I have for individuals who are selling a used car to another individual. Here's what you need to know when selling a car.
jalopnik.com
Sold multiple vehicles on Craigslist. Gone in a matter of days. Cashier's check or cash only. I typed up a little thing I make them sign that is kind of a disclaimer in the event the car goes to hell and they can't sue me or something. No idea if it would hold up in court but takes two seconds and would maybe mean something.
I sold once on craigslist. Cash or cashiers check only and just wrote up a short deed of sale or whatever stating as is/where is no warranties etc. Both parties signed and kept a copy and exchanged the cash and keys.
We've had good luck in the past with FB Marketplace. But if you haven't used it to sell something before, be prepared for some people looking for free or one heckuva bargain.
Another idea: Pictures help sell. Take lots and from all angles. Think of what pictures you would want to see that would help you decide if you want to drive to look at it in person.
Another idea: Pictures help sell. Take lots and from all angles. Think of what pictures you would want to see that would help you decide if you want to drive to look at it in person.
Craigslist worked for me.
Be careful though, first reply I got was some dude from Arizona who wanted to pay me double the $1,400 I was asking for my "rare" Acura with over 250,000 miles. He wanted me to pay for the shipping and once it arrived he would be "wiring" me the money through a Western Union account.
Be careful though, first reply I got was some dude from Arizona who wanted to pay me double the $1,400 I was asking for my "rare" Acura with over 250,000 miles. He wanted me to pay for the shipping and once it arrived he would be "wiring" me the money through a Western Union account.
NEVER sell your car to Carvana or Zoom or you'll be selling it at below market. Half the money they make is by taking cars they purchase off the street to auction and selling them to other dealers. Same holds true for Carmax.
Pick three small independent dealers to get bids. Those who will actually retail your car will pay the most.
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With the current market, you'll probably get as much out of a dealer (independent, not franchise) as you would selling privately... with none of the hassle. Most consumers don't know how high the market currently is and will beat you up regardless.
Carmax averages over $1000 profit per vehicle wholesaled. If you have something late model that's pretty nice, they'll pay up for it. Otherwise, everything they purchase off the street gets sold at their weekly wholesale dealer auctions to people like me. It is a major profit center for them.
Craigslist is good, but get acquainted with the current scams. No paypal and ignore any BS sob stories that read like "I am stationed in Kazbekistan and will wire you the money, but my friend will pickup the vehicle"
Cash only if at all possible. Meet at your bank and deposit the money immediately.
H
Craigslist now charges you to post a vehicle for sale. You should have no issue selling on FB marketplace.
Like others have said, cash or cashiers check only. Cash in hand if you want to take it for a test drive.
Clean the car to the best of your abilities, full detail, and take as many pics as you can (tire tread/rust/engine bay/seats/dash & odometer with car running (dash lights)/seats/exterior). Sometimes you will have people ask for specific photos other than the pictures listed and it's always nice to have clean photos already on your phone. I don't believe a bill of sale is actually required in Iowa, but like others have said it is nice to have, and including "as is" language doesn't hurt.
I tend to be as descriptive as possible on a post because the public is dumber than you think and will ask you questions you already answered on the post, so I will redirect them to the post to weed out any people who like to waste time on marketplace. If you only post years/miles/"runs good" you will be answering the same 5 questions multiple times a day for the next few weeks.
Look for comps online, KBB might give you a good place to start, price-wise, but since there is more of a demand for used cars right now, KBB could be low. Probably start at $1K over the lowest price you would take.
And for the love of god, don't worry about covering your license plate in the photos.
Like others have said, cash or cashiers check only. Cash in hand if you want to take it for a test drive.
Clean the car to the best of your abilities, full detail, and take as many pics as you can (tire tread/rust/engine bay/seats/dash & odometer with car running (dash lights)/seats/exterior). Sometimes you will have people ask for specific photos other than the pictures listed and it's always nice to have clean photos already on your phone. I don't believe a bill of sale is actually required in Iowa, but like others have said it is nice to have, and including "as is" language doesn't hurt.
I tend to be as descriptive as possible on a post because the public is dumber than you think and will ask you questions you already answered on the post, so I will redirect them to the post to weed out any people who like to waste time on marketplace. If you only post years/miles/"runs good" you will be answering the same 5 questions multiple times a day for the next few weeks.
Look for comps online, KBB might give you a good place to start, price-wise, but since there is more of a demand for used cars right now, KBB could be low. Probably start at $1K over the lowest price you would take.
And for the love of god, don't worry about covering your license plate in the photos.
Pro tip: If you are going to set it on fire to collect the comprehensive insurance don't do it on your asphalt driveway.
