How to Sell Your Car Online

Sell Your Car Online

So you want to sell your car... The good news is there are some excellent online resources to help you find a buyer. Let's take a look at a handful of websites that will you guide through with the process, and help you avoid the potential pitfalls.

First, you need to determine what price to ask. The Kelly Blue Book is the gold standard for used-car valuations. Back in the pre-Internet dark ages, the Blue Book was a real paper book, and deliberately hard to find. Car dealers didn't want you to have this information. A friend told me there was a printed copy in my credit union, but the bank employee was surprised when I asked for it, and allowed me to peruse those verboten pages only under her supervision. She must have thought I was likely to run off and sell it on the black market.

Today, the Blue Book is freely available online, and the values shown there are based upon surveys of used car dealers’ and private advertisers’ asking prices. That means your car’s Blue Book price is the high end from which you will start negotiating with potential buyers. Don’t expect to get the full Blue Book price for your car. Also, be honest with yourself; if the car is in “fair” condition don’t ask for the “good” price. Online shoppers will do their own research and pass you by.

Another good source to help you put a dollar value on your used car is Edmunds, which takes into account the mileage, features, color and other features of your car, to calculate a Total Market Value bottom line. They show you the estimated "street price" as well as the price a dealer is likely to offer.

Next, you must decide where to advertise your car for sale. Edmunds and KBB both offer to help you list your car for sale. There are plenty of other options, some free of charge and others available for a fee.

The autos-and-trucks category of Craigslist is extremely popular among buyers and sellers. It costs nothing and it’s targeted locally. You can tag your car by make, model, and year; and by price range and location. There are a few things to bear in mind when selling on Craigslist.

Craigslist just gives you a blank page without any help composing your ad. Be sure to include all the particulars that you would look for if shopping for a car: year, make, model, even more specific style (i.e., 2021 Ford Explorer Limited AWD). You can provide photos, and you should photograph the car from all angles. Spare people “the story” behind your reason for selling; nobody cares how tragically broke you are.

CarGurus is another popular website to buy or sell a car. You can get a good idea of what your car is worth by looking at other listings for cars similar to yours. Start by entering your VIN or license plate. Cargurus can usually determine the make, model, and year of your car. After you provide the mileage, features, and condition of your car, you'll be presented with offers from dealers. The dealer will inspect your car, verify your offer and pay you on the spot.

TrueCar also helps you get the value of your car by entering the license plate or VIN number. If you're ready to sell, you can get a TrueTrade Offer which is good for three days at a dealer near you. For some, there's a feeling of safety that comes from selling to a dealer, but you're likely to end up with less cash for your car.

eBay Motors is a good marketplace for local and nationwide car sales. There is a non-refundable fee for listing the car, which ranges from $19 to $79. The fee depends on the selling price and some other listing options. The good thing about eBay Motors is that it gives the novice car seller lots of help deciding what price to ask and how to advertise the car to best advantage. eBay also has a reputation for being a “safe” place to buy without getting burned, so buyers are more likely to come forward. You can list a car on eBay as an auction, if you can’t decide what to charge.

Tips For Selling A Car Online

• Clean Cars Sell Faster: Make sure your car's interior and exterior is clean and shiny. A professional detailing may make it more appealing to potential buyers.
• Take Lots of High-Quality Photos: Clear and honest photos of your car from multiple angles are essential. Include the exterior, interior, engine, and don't try to hide any flaws.
• Write a Compelling and Engaging Listing: Highlight your car's features, any recent maintenance, after-market modifications, and any unique selling points. Be honest about the car's condition.
• Expect to Negotiate: Expect buyers to haggle on price. Have in mind your lowest acceptable price and be ready to confidently make a counteroffer to reach a deal.

There are some scams to watch out for when selling a car online. Many people have lost their cars and money out of their bank accounts by listening to a “buyer” who has an unusual story. Use common sense, and don’t let greed to sell your car make you stupid.

Never tell a prospect where you live and keep the car. Arrange a meeting to show and test-drive the car in a public parking lot. If you can avoid going alone, do so. Never meet a stranger in a dark place. The parking lot of a police station, or somewhere that has obvious security cameras are good choices. Make sure someone knows where you’re going, when you’ll be back, and what to do if you don’t come back on time.

Accept cash only, or use eBay’s escrow service. Even certified checks and postal money orders are being counterfeited these days. Never, ever, “make change” for a payment that’s larger than your selling price; that is, do not give any money to the buyer, no matter what story he tells you.

Selling a car online is no riskier than selling it through a newspaper ad. Just use good common sense and arm yourself with information before you begin. Do you have something to say about selling a car online? Post your comment or question below...