What is the Best Way to Sell My Used Car? 5 Legit Ways

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What is the Best Way to Sell My Used Car?

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What is the best way to sell my used car? Most vehicle owners are usually at crossroads when trying to find a suitable buyer for their old car.

If you’re such a person, there are many options to sell your used car. The best course of action will depend on the type of vehicle you are selling, your personal preferences, and how quickly you need to sell it.

Before listing for sale, it’s vital to research its value on Kelly Blue Book reputable vehicle valuation platform that hosts a large database of different vehicle models and their prices.

1. Sell It To a Third Party Dealership

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One option to sell your used car is through third-party dealerships known for their ability to purchase cars at any time. As well,  they offer competitive prices on both new and used vehicles.

The main advantage of selling your vehicle through this method is that it eliminates the tedious process of haggling with multiple buyers, which can often take hours or days. 

Additionally, these dealerships will handle all of the paperwork involved in the sale process, meaning there’s no need for you to worry about spending hours filling out forms.

Peddle

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Peddle, formerly known as Junkmycar.com, is a free vehicle buying company that buys cars from sellers through instant offers. 

It’s a great alternative to private listing, which can take many months to find a buyer. 

To get started with Peddle, you need to;

• Fill out an online application form with your car’s details, including mileage, model, drivability, possible defects, and make.
• After submitting the form, you’ll get a quotation.
• If you accept the offer, the company will buy the vehicle and send you payment after inspection and pick up.

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

Wheelzy

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Wheelzy is a US-based online car buying site through instant evaluation and cash offers.  The company buys up to 30 cars every month from potential sellers thereby easing the burden of finding buyers. 

Here is how the car selling procedure works:

• You start by filling an online form with your car details, including year, make, and model.
• After that, Wheelzy will give you an offer to sell your vehicle
• After you accept the offer, it’s now time to choose the best pickup time 
• The team at Wheelzy arrives at your location, inspects and tows your vehicle away 
• They’ll pay you cash after ascertaining everything is good.
• Wheelzy handles the paperwork and transfers the ownership for free.

Another alternative is to drive your vehicle into Wheelzy offices, where the staff will conduct an evaluation and propose an offer. Consequently, they’ll pay you cash on the spot.

Recent Wheelzy Offers

Model	Year	Mileage	Condition	Offer
Hyundai (Tucson)	2006	200,000	Doesn’t start	$400
Mercury (Sable Sedan)	2003	150,000	Doesn’t start	$225
Mercedes-Benz (C)	2001	150,000	Starts	$222
Ford (Edge)	2010	200,000	Doesn’t start	$1,200
Ford (Flex)	2009	150,000	Starts	$1,000
Lexus (RX)	2002	300,000	Doesn’t start	$750
Chevrolet (Cobalt Sedan)	2007	200,000	Doesn’t start	$200
Toyota (Corolla)	2003	250,000	Drives	$555
BMW (528)	2008	250,000	Drives	$1,487

CarBrain

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When it comes to selling your damaged car, CarBrain offers a streamlined and convenient process. You’ll receive an instant offer by providing the details of your vehicle through their online form. CarBrain accepts any vehicle regardless of its condition, year, make, or model.

If you accept the offer, CarBrain will handle all the logistics for you. It will pick up your vehicle from your driveway for free within 24 to 48 hours and pay you on the spot. Additionally, CarBrain’s process is completely free of charge, making it a cost-effective solution for selling your damaged vehicle.

Carvana

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Carvana is an Arizona-based company that buys and sells second-hand vehicles through an online platform.

With Carvana, you only need access to a smartphone or computer to sell your vehicle without haggling.  

Here is what happens when you decide to sell your car:

• You start by filling an online form
• Carvana makes an offer on your car. 
• After you accept the offer, a staff gets to your location to inspect the car
• If everything about the car is in order, you’ll get paid on the spot.

Vroom

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Vroom is a US-based second-hand vehicle retailer that allows individuals and businesses to buy or sell their vehicles online. 

You can sell or trade-in your vehicle on the platform in easy steps:

1. First, fill an appraisal form and include, among other features, license plate, mileage, and feature.
2. Vroom then sends you a non-negotiable offer within two days 
3. If the offer terms are appealing to you, you can complete the paperwork for ownership transfer.
4. Vroom then schedules the pickup at no cost.
5. During pickup, the team will inspect your can and issue a bill of lading
6. After pickup, you’ll get your money as soon as the car reaches Vroom’s premises

Related: Vroom vs. CarMax Comparison

Edmunds

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Edmunds is a US-based online platform specializing in vehicle inventory, information, and expert reviews. You can also sell your old car on the platform.

You can get started by;

• Getting the market value of your car via the appraisal section.
• After establishing the value, you can sell the car online by providing your license plate, VIN, Year, Make, and Model, and the platform will generate the car’s value.
• After that, you’ll get your cash offer, and if it’s good, get paid.

However, unlike Vroom, they don’t tow your vehicle to their offices; you’ll need to drive it yourself and receive cash after inspection.

2. Sell to a Private Party

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Selling your old car to a private party is one of the most convenient ways to get rid of it if you want to avoid the hassle of dealing with dealerships.

All you have to do is post an ad with all the details about your vehicle including make, model, year of manufacture, engine cc, color, and mileage.  You can also include the current status of the car and whether there are any defects the prospective buyer should be aware of.

Once you put up an ad, the next thing is to wait for a buyer to come along.

3. Trade in For a New Car

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Trade in involves exchanging your used car for a different one, however, you may need to add more money if it involves acquiring a new vehicle. Most car retailers in the US such as Autonation allow for trade in.

There are many benefits to trading in your old car for a new one. One of the most obvious is that you’ll save money on gas since newer vehicles offer better fuel efficiency. 

You’ll also save on insurance because older cars are more likely to be involved in accidents or get stolen.

Finally, you may have an easier time making payments on your new vehicle if it has lower monthly costs than what you’re currently paying on your current ride.

4. Sell It to an Outside Dealer

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There is always the option of selling your car to an outside dealer who will buy it in any condition it’s in and subsequently offer cash on the spot. 

It can be convenient to avoid waiting for someone to come out to your house or if you don’t have time to go through all of that hassle. 

However, there are some drawbacks which you need to keep in mind before making this decision. For example, these dealerships may not give as much money for your trade-in vehicle, which in most cases is below the market price.

You must do plenty of research before settling on the deal. For instance, you can get referrals from friends, families, and colleagues or get reviews from the community notice board in your neighborhood.

Related: 5 Steps Guide to Sell Your Car to a Dealership

5. Instant Cash Offer

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If you’re looking for the best way to sell used car, then an Instant Cash Offer can help. 

In this case, you don’t have to wait for weeks or months to get paid as such companies such as Wheelzy and Peddle have proven track records of offering money on the spot. Therefore, you’ll feel confident selling your car at competitive prices.

How to Sell Your Used Car Faster

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Determine Car Value with Kelley Blue Book

Many different things come into play when you are trying to determine the value of your car. For instance, you need to take into account depreciation, mileage, and condition of the interior and exterior features, the number of owners. 

You will need to consider the make and model of the vehicle along with any modifications that have been made to it. 

If you are selling a new car, you can find out what it is worth by searching online for recent sales in your area or using tools like Kelley Blue Book.

Related: 3 Ways to Sell Car for Cash

Detail your Car

Car detailing is an essential process before you sell your vehicle as it helps the buyer get a better idea of how much it’s worth and what they are purchasing. Plus, when you detail your car, it looks better than ever.

There are things you need to do to detail a car properly, including getting rid of dirt and stains, making it much more appealing to potential buyers.

Take Good Photos

When you are ready to sell your car, the first step is to take photos to allow potential buyers to see how great it looks before they come out and inspect it in person.

You should take pictures of the car inside and out, including any dents or scratches on the outside, as well as interior wear and tear for those interested in purchasing it. 

These photos are not only helpful when selling your vehicle, but they can also help if something goes wrong after you sell it because there will be evidence showing what condition the car was in when you sold it.

Create an Ad that Sells

Before you list your used car on the market, make sure that you have a well-written advertisement with all of the important information about your vehicle for potential buyers.

The main goal of the Ad is to attract as many people as possible to buy your used car and get the best price for your asset. 

The ad should have all the information about the vehicle, including;

• Make
• Model
• Year of manufacture 
• Previous owners

Carefully Screen Callers

When you put out your car for sale, you may receive calls from potential buyers; however, not all callers are genuine. It’s vital to carefully screen your callers as this can be the difference between a quick sale and an abandoned lead. 

You need to be sure that you only communicate to serious buyers and ensure the callers have a legitimate reason for calling.

Set Up a Test Drive

When someone is considering purchasing a new or used vehicle, the first thing they do is take it for a test drive. 

Test drives can help you detect any mechanical problems that may happen in the future. It also helps you to figure if the underlying issues are significant enough to jeopardize the sale. 

On the same note, when the seller finally comes along, you can take a test drive together for them to be satisfied that the car they’re buying is in good condition.

Get Paid

The last step is to get paid for your vehicle via a check or direct deposit to your account. You’ll need to sign the offer and transfer of ownership documents to conclude the sale.

Related: 6 Places to Sell Car Parts