If you’re reading this, then chances are that you have grown completely tired of your current car and are looking to get yourself an upgrade soon. However, while there is joy in acquiring a new car, the problem of what to do with your old one can often be quite a frustrating conundrum.
Luckily, there are a few options that you can consider if you are looking to offload that old jalopy sitting in your driveway. In most cases, you can either sell your car to a local junk yard near me, sell it to a private buyer/dealership or trade it in for a new model.
However, before we dive into that, you should keep in mind that there are a few items that you must organize before selling your vehicle, which include: the car title, the bill of sale, as well as any repair and maintenance records. These documents are essential, and having them ready ensures that you don’t find yourself scrambling to find a buyer.
What Are Your Used Car Selling Options?
If you have all the documents ready, then it’s time to decide how you will sell your used car. And here are a few of the most common ways that you can quickly find a buyer.
1. Use a cash-for-car site
Selling an old vehicle can often be a lengthy and exhausting process that requires you to organize a huge number of things, such as repairs, transporting it, handling paperwork, etc. However, the entire process can often be simplified by using a cash-for-car service like USCarJunker.
The main benefit of using these companies is that they are open to accepting vehicles of any make or model, no matter what the condition of the car may be.
On top of that, they will usually cover any transport fees that may be required, as they usually partner with local towing agencies. Plus, they will even handle all the necessary paperwork, which spares you a huge amount of time and effort.
All you need to get started is to fill out an online questionnaire, which will require you to share information about the history and condition of your vehicle. Once submitted, an offer will be sent to you, and should you decide to accept it, they will send a representative to pick up the car and pay you the agreed-upon amount.
The only downside is that, while it is convenient, you may not be able to get as much money as you would if you decided to sell it to a private buyer.
2. Sell privately
The second option that you can consider is to sell the car privately through sites like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. The good thing about this is that, unlike cash-for-car services, there is more room for negotiation, which means getting a higher payoff.
However, the problem is that handling a private sale often requires you to carry out a fair amount of leg work, such as advertising, handling transport, organizing the necessary sale documentation, etc.
Furthermore, selling to a private online buyer often comes with its own risks, as there is always a chance of being scammed, especially if you fail to use a trusted website. It is for this reason that most people often prefer to use sites like USCarJunker, instead.
3. Sell or Trade it at a dealership
Selling your car at a dealership is an easy way to quickly get rid of your vehicle, especially since they will often end up handling most of the tedious paperwork on your behalf. Alternatively, if you do plan on purchasing a new car, you can always trade in your old one, which is also a fairly simple process.
However, do keep in mind that dealerships will usually give out lower payouts if the car is damaged or has issues. This means that you will need to clean the vehicle, fix any mechanical problems, and negotiate the trade-in value separately in order to secure a fair price.
Top Tips for Selling Your Used Car
Now that you know what options are available to you, there are some important things that you should also keep in mind in order to successfully offload your car without any issues. These tips are especially useful if you intend on making a private sale.
1. Repay any active car loans
Before you think about selling your used vehicle, you need to make sure that any outstanding loan balances on it are fully paid off. After all, selling a car with a lien on it often complicates the entire sale process, so make sure that you deal with that first before seeking out a buyer.
2. Conduct car market research
It is vital that you remain well aware of your car’s true value before you start looking for a buyer, which is what will help you secure the highest amount of money possible from a sale.
In this respect, it often pays to check local sales listings for similar vehicles to see what prices they are selling for. If your car is in great shape and recently had major service completed, then you will usually be in a position to set a higher asking price.
3. Carry out a pre-sale inspection
Some private buyers can request that you conduct a pre-sale inspection before they agree to the purchase. It could either be conducted by their mechanic or yours, but it often helps to have this conducted in advance. This will allow you to present a report early on, which should speed up the sale process and ensure a smooth purchase process.
Plus, the added benefit of this option is that it enables you to get an estimate from your mechanic, which can also inform the final selling price of your vehicle. You will also be in a position to make a few cosmetic and mechanical repairs in the process before any potential buyers see it.
4. Use attractive and detailed ads
If you intend on selling your car to a private buyer, you should ensure that you take quality photos after the car has been cleaned and detailed. This means covering every possible angle, from interior to exterior.
After all, most online buyers get turned off by shoddy photography since most of them are desperate to avoid scams. As such, having a well-photographed car with plenty of pictures helps promote legitimacy compared to an online listing that only has one or two pictures.
You should also ensure that you include a fair amount of information on the vehicle in the advertisement, such as the year, model, make, mileage, and service history. Other important details can include any special options such as the reason you’re selling it, the car’s trim, etc.
Conclusion
Selling your used car can often be a fairly straightforward process, as long as you make the right choices. If you would like to try and maximize the amount of money you can get on a car, selling to a private buyer or dealership is a good choice. However, this only works if the car is in good working condition; otherwise, you will struggle to find a buyer.
The most practical and easiest option is to sell the car to a cash-for-car service like USCarJunker. This will ensure that you are able to quickly offload the car and get a fair quote for it without having to invest much time and effort in the sale process. Plus, you won’t even need to leave the comfort of your own home since the entire sale process can be carried out online.
If you liked this article you can read the next one about cars. Thank you for reading.