How to Sell a Car Fast: 3 Simple Ways to Get Most Cash for Your Car

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How to Sell a Car Fast?

Sell it to Peddle

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Peddle has a network of buyers around the country, making it easy to sell any vehicle. This company will buy broken, damaged or even junk vehicles within days. 

This company has a highly transparent service and an A+ Better Bureau Rating. You can see a gallery of the latest vehicles the company has bought for resale, parts or scrap with the price paid. There is even a running total of the number of offers Pedal has made within the last 30 days. 

Step 1- Complete the Online Form

There is an online form to get a quote. You can also call (855) 925-4302.

You’ll share your vehicle details by entering the VIN number of your vehicle. This will allow Peddle to see the make, model and year of your vehicle. 

You will also need to provide some additional information about your vehicle including its condition. 

Step 2- Review Your Quote

Within seconds of completing the online form, you’ll receive a quote from Peddle. You can then assess this to see if you are happy. Peddle generates quotes according to the demand in its buyer network. So, you may be surprised at the price offered for older vehicles, which have in demand spare parts.

Step 3- Arrange Pick Up

Once you accept the quote, Peddle will arrange the collection of your vehicle. This typically occurs within a couple of days of accepting the quote. 

When the Peddle agent arrives to pick up your vehicle, they will perform a visual inspection and check the title before handing over your check. 

Recent Peddle Offers

Model	Year	Mileage	Offer
Toyota (Camry)	2011	150,000	$2,225
Volvo (S40)	2001	37000	$430
Mercedes-Benz (560)	1991	92000	$1,930
BMW (528)	2008	126,000	$1,140
Kia (Forte)	2010	145,000	$635
Honda (CR-V)	2011	67000	$2,930
Ford (Explorer Sport Trac)	2004	145,000	$1,170
Oldsmobile (Alero)	2004	162,000	$400
Audi (A6)	2006	106,000	$530

Sell it to CarBrain

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Besides Peddle, you can also sell your car to CarBrain. It’s a fantastic resource for anyone looking to sell their car quickly and easily. The process is simple: just provide some basic information about your car online, and CarBrain will offer you a competitive price.

From there, it’s just a matter of accepting the offer and handing over the keys, title, and access to the car. CarBrain works with a network of partners nationwide, so they can typically pick up the car and pay you within 24 to 48 hours.

And the best part? CarBrain doesn’t charge any fees for its services! They’ll even pay you by check or mail, whichever you prefer.

Sell it Privately

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Related: KBB vs. Peddle Comparison

Another method of how to sell a car is to sell it privately. This is more time consuming, but you may be able to achieve a better price. 

Step 1 – Paperwork

Before you start the process, you need to check all the paperwork relating to your vehicle. This includes:

• The Title: Often called the “pink slip”, the title is perhaps the most important piece of car paperwork you have. The title provides the legal right to sell a used vehicle. If you can’t find your title, you will need to head down to your local DMV office to get a duplicate. 
• Payoff Paperwork: If there is still money owing on your vehicle, as the seller, you’re responsible for speaking to your lender to discuss making a sale. Some states do not allow selling a car with a lien and even if it is permitted, many private buyers are reluctant to purchase a car carrying an existing debt. 
• Vehicle History: Most used car buyers are wary of scams and concerned they will buy a dud. You can give potential buyers confidence that you’re legit by supplying a copy of the vehicle history report. 
• Warranty: If there is still a warranty remaining on your vehicle, you may be able to transfer it to a new owner. Again, this is a great selling point, but you’ll need the appropriate paperwork. 

These pieces of paperwork are important documents that will help the sale of your vehicle to go smoothly. So, it is a good idea to take a little time to organize all your paperwork before you try to sell your vehicle. 

Step 2 – Assess Your Car’s Condition

When you’re selling a vehicle privately, you need to be realistic and honest about its condition. You may be able to sell the vehicle more quickly and get a better price if you complete any minor tasks before listing the vehicle. 

So, if there is a rattle because you’ve delayed a wheel alignment, you need to replace a lightbulb or change a fuse, now is the time. Potential buyers will see these minor issues as a warning sign the vehicle may not have received proper attention and maintenance. 

Step 3 – Set Your Price

You will now need to decide your selling price. While you may be emotionally attached to your car, you need to be realistic about your asking price. It is a good idea to check the price of similar vehicles in your local area or check the value of your car on Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds. 

Bear in mind that many buyers like to haggle, so it is a good idea to add a little wiggle room on to your selling price. So, if your car has a value of $5,200, you may want to set your price at $5,750. Just don’t go too high.

There is a psychological barrier between $5,000 and $6,000, and it may prevent potential buyers from finding your vehicle when they are using a search engine.

Step 4 – Create Your Ad

A good ad will include all the pertinent details about the vehicle and include lots of good photographs. Photograph the vehicle in a nice location with good lighting. Take pictures of various angles, including inside the vehicle and even the odometer showing the current mileage. 

The platform you choose to list your vehicle will determine what information is required for a listing. So, don’t repeat this information in the main body of the ad. Use this space to provide additional information such as “just passed smog” or “clean title”.

Step 5 – Screen Callers

If you’ve set an attractive price for your vehicle, you should expect lots of calls. If you’re using email as a contact method, it can be a good idea to set up a separate account. 

Try to use your judgment about buyers who sound like they are calling multiple listings to try to flip used cars. These buyers typically offer a low ball price or will start negotiating before even seeing the car. 

When you have a legit sounding buyer, you can arrange a convenient time for them to view the vehicle and take a test drive. 

Step 6 – Test Drives

Safety is a consideration when allowing your vehicle to be test driven. Arrange a safe place and if possible take a friend. 

Allow the potential buyer to test drive the vehicle, but go along with them. This will not only allow you to monitor the vehicle, but also provide directions if they are unfamiliar with the area. 

Avoid trying to “sell” the car during the test drive. Just answer any queries or questions. 

Step 7 – Make the Sale

After test driving the vehicle, hopefully your prospective buyer will want to buy your car. Allow the buyer to make an opening offer and negotiate slowly. Repeat prices to ensure no misunderstanding. Before you finalize the deal, ensure the buyer understands payment must be in the form of cash or a cashier’s check

Bear in mind that if you still have a loan on the vehicle, you may need to make the sale at your bank. 

Date and sign the title and provide your buyer with a bill of sale.

Sell it to Dealership

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Step 1- Visit the Dealership

The first step of how to sell a car to a dealership will involve speaking to a salesperson. While you can make initial contact by phone, the best approach is to visit the dealership. You may need to speak to the sales team, but some dealerships have a used car manager. 

Regardless of their job title, the dealership team member will take down your details, including the VIN and inspect your vehicle. They are also likely to check for accidents or damage with a vehicle history database. 

The dealership may also have the service department inspect the condition of your vehicle. This may involve taking it on a quick test drive. 

The dealership is likely to try to persuade you to use your vehicle as trade in on a new vehicle. This will provide a more attractive offer “on paper” rather than selling it for cash. 

Step 2- Assess the Offer

Your offer will vary depending on a number of factors. This includes:

• The condition of your vehicle
• Whether any repairs are necessary
• Whether they have similar vehicles on the lot for sale
• The price typically paid for a similar vehicle at auction.

Additionally, if there is still money owing on the vehicle, it may impact the amount of the offer. 

Many dealerships today aim to be transparent about their car buying and selling. However, it is still a good idea to do some research, so you can check if the offer seems fair. 

Even if the offer seems attractive, be sure to compare it to other services and dealerships. So, if it is a good idea to get a quote from Peddle or other online platforms before you visit the dealership. 

Step 3- Agree the Sale

If you’re happy the dealership is offering the best price, you can agree the sale. You’ll need to arrange a time to drop off the vehicle and provide the paperwork. Some dealerships may even pick up from your home or workplace. 

Just remember that the dealership’s offer may change with time. So, if you’re comfortable with the offer, don’t delay and agree the sale quickly.

How to Sell a Car with a Loan?

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If you still have finance on your vehicle, you may wonder how to sell a car. Fortunately, it is not that difficult. 

You’ll need to speak to your lender to get a “payoff amount.” This will provide a figure of how much it will cost to pay off the loan and own the vehicle outright. 

Once you have this figure, you can check the value of your vehicle to ensure you can cover the debt when you sell your car. If the trade in price is more than the payoff amount, you’ll have some extra cash.

But, if the value of your car is less than the payoff, you will need to give the lender all the proceeds of the sale and pay the remaining balance.

How to Sell a Car for Parts?

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If your vehicle is severely damaged or old, you may consider selling it for parts. You can do this through a service such as Peddle or privately. 

You can have your local salvage yard assess your vehicle and give you a price. Alternatively, you can advertise individual parts for sale. 

The latter option is only suitable for those who are organized and knowledgeable about car DIY. You’ll need to remove the parts and list them individually. Once you’ve sold all the parts of value, you can sell the remainder of your vehicle to a scrap metal yard. 

How to Sell a Junk Car?

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Peddle provides a viable method of how to sell a car that is not running. This company buys any type of car including accident damaged, old, scrap or non running vehicles. Use the online form or call (855) 925-4302 to get a quote.

How to Sell a Car – FAQ

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How Long Does it Take to Sell a Car?

It depends on your chosen sales method. While Peddle will take your vehicle within a few days, it may take weeks to sell it privately.

What is Best Month to Sell a Car?

March through to August are the best times of year to sell a car.

How Do I find the Value of My Used Car?

Use Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds. You’ll need to enter the details of your vehicle to get an approximate value.