Getting Rid of Your Old Wheels? The Step-by-Step Guide to Selling Your Car

Whether your car looks older than you are, or you’re intrigued by swapping out your old ride for something bigger and better, you’ll need to sell your old automobile before you get behind the wheel of your new vehicle. Once you officially decide to say goodbye to your old set of wheels, it’ll be time to start crossing items off your car-selling to-do list.

If you’re not sure where to start, check out this step-by-step guide to selling your car.

Obtain the proper documentation

Before you begin gathering the appropriate paperwork to sell your vehicle, you should note that many states require you to have a notarized vehicle title. If you’re asking yourself, “How will I find a mobile notary near me?” you don’t need to worry. Many notaries will travel to their clients for signings.

Once you have your hands on your notarized vehicle title, you’ll need to collect a bill of sale, which you can download and print from the DMV’s website. You should also order a vehicle history report to show to potential car buyers.

Fix up your car before selling

Clean out and vacuum your car before the sale. Also, take your vehicle to a mechanic to repair any significant issues to get the best price for the car. Otherwise, you’ll need to sell it in its current condition at a lower price.

Pick the correct price for your vehicle

You can look at Kelley Blue Book to figure out the value of your vehicle. When picking a price, consider the make and model of the car and the condition. Pick a lower price if you’re looking for a quick sale or the vehicle needs maintenance. However, an extended warranty will allow you to set a higher price.

Create a car advertisement

When selling to a dealership, you can advertise by calling multiple dealerships and asking if they’d be willing to buy your car or trade you for another one. Otherwise, make a basic advertisement describing the make and model of the vehicle, the year, the mileage, and its overall condition. You can post your ad on sites like Craigslist or Autotrader.

Screen callers on the phone

When engaging in private sales, many sellers opt to protect their privacy by screening phone calls, setting up a separate email to communicate with potential buyers, and operating through a different phone number. When interacting with potential buyers, get their complete contact information, including name, email address, and phone number, to make future communications more seamless.

Set up a place to meet potential buyers

Meet with potential buyers in a public place such as a mall parking lot, park, or grocery store. If you’re concerned about your safety, bring a family member or friend. If you feel comfortable, let the buyer go on a test drive with you in the car to put any of their pre-buy concerns at ease.

Negotiate and finalize the sale

Once you’ve convinced the potential buyer that your car is the vehicle for them, you’ll need to negotiate and finalize the sale. When making your deal, have a firm minimal price in mind but consider accepting a reasonable offer from a buyer, even if it’s lower than the cost you had in mind. Once you’ve finalized the sale, ask for payment in cash or cashier’s check before making the exchange.

Before you go

Following the proper steps will help your experience drive smoothly when selling your automobile. Before you know it, you’ll be rid of your old hunk of junk and driving the car of your dreams.

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