If you have a used car you need to sell, there are several ways you can try to get rid of it. You obviously want to get the most money possible for it, but you likely want an easy experience too. A few extra bucks might not be worth a ton of hassle to you. Here are the three essential tips you need to know when selling a used car so that you get the most money you can.
Do Your Research
The first step to getting top dollar for your car is doing your homework. Start with looking up the book value on your car at places like Kelley Blue Book or NADA. This can give you a good starting point for the value of our vehicle. Remember though that there are other market factors that can make the true value of your car higher or lower than what you find on these sites.
Next, see what other cars in your area are selling for. Your location actually has a big influence on how much your car is worth. In some parts of the country, trucks are in higher demand so they bring a higher price in these areas. In other areas, smaller cars with great fuel economy bring in higher prices. Checking out cars that are similar to yours and within a reasonable distance give you a much better idea of your car’s true value.
Get Your Car Detailed
This tip is extremely important if you are trying to sell your car to another private party and get the most for it. Nobody wants to come test drive a vehicle that is dirty and then offer up a load of cash for it. You want the buyer to think they are looking at a car on the dealership floor.
In most cases, it is worth paying for a full detail on your vehicle before trying to sell it. This usually includes wash, polish, and wax as well interior detailing, vacuuming, and shampooing carpets. While this might cost around $200, you can usually make more than that back during the sale due to the increased value.
Explore Your Selling Options
If you want to sell your used car for cash, remember that there are several ways to do so. First, you can try the old fashioned way of simply putting a For Sale sign on your vehicle and hoping someone gives you a call. You could also create an online ad at places like Craigslist or Autotrader. These are usually a little more successful, but there is still no guarantee that you will find a buyer on these sites.
The next option is to visit the local dealerships. You can often find dealerships who will make you an offer to buy the vehicle even if you do not plan to buy a new car from the dealership.
You can expect to receive trade-in value or lower as the dealership will need to service and clean the vehicle and then will usually either sell it at auction or put it on their lot. If you go this route, be sure to get multiple offers. Different dealerships can sometimes vary as much as a few thousand dollars in their offers, so it pays off to get multiple offers.
Lastly, there are nationwide car buyers out there like Auto Wranglers who will make you a cash offer to purchase a used vehicle. These services will come to you and pick up the vehicle at no charge and pay you cash on the spot. While you might not receive as much money as selling to a private party, you get a guaranteed offer and a hassle-free experience. These services will also buy your car even if it needs repairs. This is the way to go if you need quick cash and an easy process.
