How to Sell your Vehicle Yourself

Valerie Raskovic

Nov 21, 2021

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When selling a car, there are several things you can do to ensure that you obtain the most money possible. Getting the greatest deal on a car might help you pay off your previous loan and put down a big deposit on a new one. You have several alternatives, like trading it in at a car dealership or selling it to a private party. You'll get the most money if you sell it yourself rather than trading it in, but it will take more time and effort.

You will need to know the value of your vehicle and have a targeted range of what you’re willing to accept for the vehicle. Be prepared to haggle; the buyer wants the best price, you’ll want the most money, the best deals meet somewhere in the middle. You must also be willing to walk away when your expectations of the deal are not met. It’s not always a short process but the amount of money, time, and energy that it will save you is well worth it in the long run. Thanks to the invention of many different websites and apps, selling your car without a dealership is easier than ever. Generally being up front about the vehicles condition and having a Vehicle History Report on had can provide the buyer some comfort and put them at ease knowing they are dealing with a reputable seller and may help to insure a smooth transition.  

But how is it done? What should you remember and what steps should you follow to sell your car on your own? It’s easier than you think!

Find a Price

You want your vehicle to stand out among the many other used vehicles for sale by owner in your area. You must first assess the value of your automobile in order to set an appealing "asking price" for your used car. Look up the value of your automobile on Edmunds or Kelley Blue Book, then compare it to the prices of similar cars in local classified listings. Set your pricing somewhat higher than the current market value, but within a reasonable range. So, if your automobile is worth $6,000 according to the pricing guide, you can put the price at $6,500. This gives you some wiggle room in your negotiations.

If you set your asking price too high, some consumers may never see your vehicle if you set the asking price too high. For example, a consumer sets their pricing restrictions to $10,000 or less, ensuring that they never see your ad if you list it for any price above $10,000. Furthermore, some purchasers may be turned off by the psychological difference between $9,900 and $10,100. All these things must be considered when you set a price. Remember, you must think like a salesperson now.

Make your Car Appealing

You will want to get your vehicle to attract attention since this is the best method to sell it. What does it take to make a car pop and stand out in the eyes of potential buyers?

You don't have to fix every ding and scrape, but you should wash and clean the car and get rid of any debris that has gathered over time. For newer, more costly secondhand automobiles, a professional detail is recommended. However, the greater the price, the longer it will take to sell the automobile, and the detailed sheen will fade after a few weeks.

Pay close attention to all the details that a potential buyer will notice when he or she approaches the vehicle, opens the door, and takes a seat in the driver's seat.

Find Buyers

You will want to post the vehicle on popular sites such as AutoTrader and Craigslist. Once posted on those sites be ready to field inquiries. You may want to consider setting up a new email account and obtaining a free Google Voice phone number just for the purpose of discreetly selling an automobile. This way you will be able to know what contact is for the vehicle and which are personal. 

You may receive a lot of phone calls if you post a cheap price for a popular automobile. Attempt to answer each inquiry about the vehicle. Have a discussion with them about the vehicle. Some may try to haggle with you over the phone before they even see the vehicle so they can acquire the vehicle at a low price and then resell it for a profit.

When you find a potential buyer be prepared to go through the fundamentals of the vehicle, including the year, make, model, mileage, and condition. You can generally tell whether they are serious about buying your automobile by conversing with them.

Time for a Test Drive

Make a safe meeting location and show them your used automobile. This may be at a shopping mall or a nearby coffee shop. If possible, bring a companion. There may be a safe meeting location in your area for transactions such as this.

Allow them to test drive the automobile but accompany them because they may be unfamiliar with the region and want directions. Allow them to test drive the vehicle pressure-free. Don’t try to sell them on the vehicle but be attentive and answer any questions that they may have. 

If the buyer wishes to have the automobile inspected by a mechanic, they must pay for the inspection. You may have to decrease your pricing if they return with a large list of issues. However, just handle issues that require immediate attention, not everything on the list.

Make the Sale

Following the test drive, the potential buyer will most likely begin negotiating the purchase of your used automobile. Allow the buyer to make the first offer. This is when the true negotiation begins. The buyer will offer you a number and you will then meet them with a number of your own. This might be a long process and you must do it carefully. You don't want to scare away the potential buyer, but you also want to stick to your guns and get an amount that is fair and right for you.

Be willing to negotiate and repeat the figures to ensure that there are no misunderstandings. Make sure the buyer is willing to pay in cash or with a cashier's check before you agree to a contract. You may need to pay off the loan with your bank if you still owe money on the vehicle.