Selling a car online is a great way to reach a large number of potential buyers, but the process can be more time consuming than placing a traditional newspaper ad or trading in your car at the dealership. This being said, the internet has many distinct advantage. Here are 6 steps to help you sell your car online.
- Repair any damages. Potential buyers prefer cars in good working order and even small fixes can make a major impact on buyer interest. Consider taking your car to a mechanic to diagnose any unknown problems and to help you assess the value of your vehicle.
- Clean your vehicle inside and out. A clean car will elicit greater interest than a dirty car. At a bare minimum, vacuum and clean out the interior and wash and wax the exterior. Consider getting your car professionally detailed. Remember that online buyers usually depend on photographs when purchasing your car. You want your car looking its best.
- Photograph your vehicle. Many online sites allow you to post 10-15 images. Make them look professional. Take photographs in a neutral location like the middle of a clean parking lot so your vehicle is the center of attention. If there are any dents or scratches in your vehicle, photograph those in detail. People will buy cars with damages but do not want to be surprised by problems they are unaware of. Take picture of the exterior, interior and engine. Think about what you would check out if inspecting a car in person and photograph those items. You may consider hosting extra images on an image hosting website that you can direct potential buyers to.
- Research the value of your car. The Kelley Blue Book value of a car provides a great starting point for setting the price of your vehicle. Research what comparable vehicles are selling for on other online sites. Remember that one advantage of selling your car online is that buyers outside your local area may be willing to pay a higher price than those near you.
- Post an advertisement online. There are many sites available for selling new and used cars online. Popular sites include autotrader.com, ebay.com and cars.com. Consider posting both nationally and locally. Many local newspapers use national websites to post vehicle listings. The wider your audience, the better. You post an advertisement buy entering vehicle details, contact details, photographs, a vehicle description and by paying a small fee. Remember to keep your layout simple and aesthetically pleasing, but take advantage of the extra room you have to describe the car. Consider paying for a service like CARFAX that gives potential buyers added peace of mind about the condition of the vehicle. Always be prompt in answering queries about the car. Let people know you are serious about selling your vehicle.
- Get ready to sell your car. Prepare the title, a bill of sale (often available from online websites from free with car details already filled in) and a release of liability form (available at the DMV). It is usually a good idea to sell a car “as-is” and without any guarantees. When accepting payment on your vehicle, make sure it is in cash or a cashiers check. Never accept personal checks unless the buyer agrees to let it clear before accepting the vehicle. After you have both signed the bill of sale and you have signed the title over to the new driver, remember to cancel your insurance on the vehicle.
- How to Sell a Boat?
- How Can I Sell My Car?
- How to Sell a Truck?
- How Do You Sell a Car?
- How to Sell Used Car?
