The Best Ways to Sell Your Car: Options, Tips, and Advice

If you're asking yourself, "what's the best way to sell my car," the good news is that nowadays, you have more options than ever. Which is right for you will depend on personal calculus balancing getting the best price with enjoying the most convenience. Below we'll dive into the various ways you can sell your car, as well as rounding up a few tips on what to do before you start the process.

1. Instant Cash Offer

If you're wondering how to sell your car, the quickest and most convenient way is via an instant cash offer. This option lets you sell your car online from start to finish. Motorvero offers an instant cash offer service; it allows you to sell your vehicle 100% online and is a fast and easy way to get a great offer. Competitors such as Autotrader, CarMax, Carvana, Cars.com, and Kelley Blue Book (KBB) also offer a similar service, typically determining the market value of your car based on a proprietary assessment.

With a Motorvero instant cash offer, you can schedule an associate to pick up your car at a time of your choice once you accept the best offer and close the deal. In addition to the convenience factor, a 100% online car sale to a business like Motorvero typically puts more money in your pocket than you'd get from the average dealer trade-in.

Advantages of Instant Cash Offers

• Quick and convenient process
• Sell your car entirely online
• Competitive offers based on market value
• Hassle-free transaction with pickup service
• Often higher payouts compared to dealer trade-ins

2. Sell to a Car Dealership

There are two ways in which you might sell your car to a dealership. The first is as a straight sale, where the dealership buys the car for cash. The second is trading it in, which we'll cover separately below. Whichever option is right for you, Motorvero can help you get an instant offer from a local dealer through our Sell My Car tool.

When selling a car to a dealership for cash, you'll have maximum convenience in the sense that the dealership will help with all the paperwork and won't demand that the car is spotlessly clean. But, remember that the dealership will also need to spend money preparing the car for sale to another customer, as well as build in some profit margin, so don't expect the best price.

Advantages of Selling to a Dealership

• Convenient process with assistance in paperwork
• No need to extensively clean or repair the car
• Quick transaction and immediate payment
• Avoid the hassle of private party sales

Disadvantages of Selling to a Dealership

• Lower offers compared to private party sales
• Dealership needs to account for reconditioning costs and profit margins
• Limited negotiating power

3. Trade-in at a Car Dealership

Similar to above, trading in your old car as part of purchasing a new one from the same dealership is not one of the best ways to sell if you want to get the most money. But if you're busy, it offers convenience that selling privately does not. Plus, there are often tax advantages for trade-ins.

There's also a hidden value behind trade-ins that relates to car buying. Most states allow dealerships to subtract the agreed-upon trade-in value from the new vehicle's price when processing your sales transaction. This benefit can potentially reduce your new car's tax burden by thousands (or tens of thousands) of dollars, saving you some serious cash.

Advantages of Trading In

• Convenient one-stop process when buying a new car
• Potential tax savings on the new vehicle purchase
• No need to separately advertise and sell your old car
• Dealership handles all paperwork and transactions

Disadvantages of Trading In

• Lower offers compared to private party sales
• Dealership needs to account for reconditioning costs and profit margins
• Limited negotiating power
• Trade-in value may be dependent on the new car purchase

4. Sell to a Private Party

Consider a private sale if you want to make the most money and don't care how much work it will take. This route offers greater control over the outcome than trading in a vehicle at a dealership, and it can help you get the best price. Avenues include Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and good old classified ads.

Many people choose not to sell privately because they find it to be a hassle. Posting on an online marketplace, arranging test drives, and negotiating on your asking price, all while avoiding scams, sounds like an awful lot of effort if you're just looking to unload your used vehicle. However, if you're motivated to make top dollar, be aware that a private party sale can help you retain some of the value you'd give up to a car dealer on a trade-in. To weigh up the full pros and cons, read our guide: Should You Sell Your Car Yourself.

Advantages of Selling to a Private Party

• Potential for higher sale prices compared to dealerships or trade-ins
• Greater control over the selling process and negotiations
• Ability to set your own asking price
• Direct communication with potential buyers

Disadvantages of Selling to a Private Party

• Time-consuming process of advertising, showing the car, and negotiating
• Dealing with potential scams and unserious buyers
• Responsibility for paperwork and legal requirements
• May require more effort in cleaning and repairing the car for sale

5. Word of Mouth

On rare occasions, you might find the best way to sell your car is via good old-fashioned word of mouth (and remember, this can include social media, even if you don't want to use Facebook Marketplace). You might find your ideal car buyer just by letting friends, colleagues, and family know that you're starting the car-selling process. That might be because your car fits a certain price bracket, or because it's a model they're particularly interested in. Either way, selling a used car by word of mouth can help you realize a sale price closer to what you'd get if you advertised the car privately, without the prospect of lots of viewings and potential time-wasters. Plus, working with friends of friends reduces your risk of encountering scammers. Just remember that your car's value can only maintained or improved by keeping it clean and fully serviced, regardless of how you're finding your potential buyers.

Advantages of Selling by Word of Mouth

• Potential for higher sale prices compared to dealerships or trade-ins
• Reduced risk of encountering scams or unserious buyers
• Less time spent on advertising and showing the car to strangers
• Possibility of finding a buyer who specifically wants your car model or price range

Disadvantages of Selling by Word of Mouth

• Limited pool of potential buyers
• Reliance on personal networks and connections
• Potential awkwardness if negotiations fall through with friends or acquaintances
• Still requires effort in maintaining and preparing the car for sale

Things to Do Before You Sell, Trade, or Accept an Offer

Whatever way you choose to sell your car, there are several things you should do before presenting it to a prospective buyer:

1. Locate the paperwork: Many car deals fall through or get postponed because the seller can't find the vehicle title (or the current registration if your state requires that to transfer a vehicle). Lay your hands on all of the necessary paperwork before you post your car for sale —getting a replacement car title from your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can take over a month. Some states require additional documentation, which might include a Bill of Sale or an odometer reading statement (your local governing authority's is the best site to find a complete list). Having these printed up and ready to go can help expedite the deal.
2. Run a vehicle history report: A vehicle history report ypically costs about $40, and you can run one using your vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate number. If you're driving something with no accidents, no title issues, and one owner, it's well worth it for you to cover the cost of running that report for a potential private buyer. A dealer will run one as a matter of course if you're trading it. If you're selling to a private party, it's a nice piece of documentation and could be a welcome bit of vehicle information to help support your valuation if they're on the fence about buying it.
3. Ask for cash (or cashier's check): Whether you're selling to a private party, a dealership, or a wholesaler, cash is an ideal form of payment. Cashier's checks, postal money orders, or certified checks are also excellent and are safer than walking around with $12,000 in cash.

Additional Tips for Selling Your Car

1. Clean and repair your car: A clean, well-maintained car will attract more buyers and potentially command a higher price. Consider having your car professionally detailed and address any minor repairs or cosmetic issues before listing it for sale.
2. Take high-quality photos: When advertising your car online or in print, include clear, well-lit photos that showcase your vehicle's best features and accurately represent its condition. This can help attract serious buyers and minimize wasted time on inquiries.
3. Be honest about your car's condition: Disclose any known issues, damage, or mechanical problems upfront. Transparency builds trust with potential buyers and can help you avoid legal issues down the road.
4. Set a competitive price: Research the market value of your car using online tools like Motorvero's Instant Market Value. Price your vehicle competitively to attract buyers while still allowing room for negotiation.
5. Be responsive and flexible: When communicating with potential buyers, respond promptly to inquiries and be open to arranging test drives or inspections at their convenience. Being accommodating can help you close the deal more quickly.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the best way to sell your car depends on your individual priorities and circumstances. If you value convenience and a quick transaction, an instant cash offer or selling to a dealership may be the right choice. If you're willing to invest more time and effort to maximize your return, selling to a private party or leveraging your personal network could be the way to go.

Regardless of the method you choose, preparing your car for sale, gathering necessary documents, and being transparent about your vehicle's condition can help you navigate the selling process with confidence and success.

Remember, Motorvero's Sell My Car tool is always available to help you explore your options and get competitive offers from local dealerships and online buyers. By weighing the pros and cons of each selling method and taking the time to properly prepare your vehicle, you can find the best way to sell your car and move on to your next automotive adventure.