Any advice for selling a car privately?
- Thread starter Nomadsto
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jarred767
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- Jun 30, 2014
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#1 thing... Detail it and take a lot of good pictures.
Get ready to deal with whatever Craigslist throws at you, (it'll be all over the map). If you're not in a hurry to sell it, don't take low-ball offers, because you'll probably get some.
Assuming you're listing it on Craigslist, or wherever you do, put as much information in the ad as possible, (positive and negative) it'll save you a ton of time answering questions that people will ask anyways.
It's never really fun, but so worth it compared to trading it in to the stealership
Good luck with it!
mwoolfso
New member
- Jul 18, 2011
- 2,592
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For my '95 Saturn SL2; sole owner and sold in 2011, I detailed it but didn't make it perfect. There was CC failure in some places, the headliner was coming down and I figured people would get suspicious if a 16yro car looked like a diamond. I put the vehicle up on CraigsList and within 2 weeks it was sold. It was a 5 speed manual tranny too.
One thing I did was to be transparent, didn't hide anything. I sold it for just under 2 car payments on my new vehicle - which was amazing.
Best of luck.
One thing I did was to be transparent, didn't hide anything. I sold it for just under 2 car payments on my new vehicle - which was amazing.
Best of luck.
BillyJack
Active member
- Aug 14, 2010
- 1,227
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X2 on including as much information as possible. Obtain a current CarFax and print a few copies to review with a potential buyer. Definitely post a price in your ad. You can and should leave a bit of negotiating room in your price but keep the realistic. Never post "OBO" after your price. That's just opening the door to ridiculous offers.
I've been managing auto sales operations and writing ad copy for a zillion years and it still amazes me when I hear people complain about getting little or no response to their sparse, poorly written ads.
Bill
I've been managing auto sales operations and writing ad copy for a zillion years and it still amazes me when I hear people complain about getting little or no response to their sparse, poorly written ads.
Bill
expdetailing
New member
- Aug 17, 2014
- 1,447
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If you're weak in negotiating, have a willing friend do it for you.
Sizzle Chest
Well-known member
- Apr 3, 2011
- 6,063
- 207
Don't release the car or title until after you have the money, obviously cash is fine, but I'm talking about checks/certified or other. Verify that they are 'good', not counterfeit and have hit your account prior to releasing the vehicle/title. A lot of scams and sh!tbirds out there...
I sold my car last year and it was a lot of work. I had it posted on a Saturday, the same evening I received an email and sold it to the same buyer within a week. My price was $3000-4000 over the average asking but as a fellow detailer, I provided all the details upfront.
Car Prep
- Two stage paint correction
- Car fully detailed (interior, exterior, engine bay)
- Tires/Trim/Paint all dressed for the extra shine
Photos
- Photos of different angles of the exterior, interior, and engine bay
- I took over 50 photos and chose the best ones to display the condition
Craigslist/Kijiji Ad
- Gave a long history of the car (previous owners, how the car was treated, the maintenance performed with a copy of the receipts, current mileage and if it was winter driven)
- Gave a long description of the trim package and what's included (winter tires, new brake pads, factory warranty expiration date, extra accessories, etc.)
- Gave a description how to maintain the car (gas to use at the pump, maintenance intervals, etc.)
I also paid for a car fax at the buyer's request, went to his private mechanic for inspection, showed him where the car was repaired (rear ended from previous owner with 10k damage, still no concern for the buyer due to my upfront honesty), took him for 2 test drives, and stayed with them until they registered the car to their name. A lot of work but at end of the day I was able to sell my car really quick without dealing with the low ballers.
Bottom Line: Write as much as you want in your ad to give potential buyers more info up front. This will prevent people emailing for details and saving you time responding back.
Good luck!
Car Prep
- Two stage paint correction
- Car fully detailed (interior, exterior, engine bay)
- Tires/Trim/Paint all dressed for the extra shine
Photos
- Photos of different angles of the exterior, interior, and engine bay
- I took over 50 photos and chose the best ones to display the condition
Craigslist/Kijiji Ad
- Gave a long history of the car (previous owners, how the car was treated, the maintenance performed with a copy of the receipts, current mileage and if it was winter driven)
- Gave a long description of the trim package and what's included (winter tires, new brake pads, factory warranty expiration date, extra accessories, etc.)
- Gave a description how to maintain the car (gas to use at the pump, maintenance intervals, etc.)
I also paid for a car fax at the buyer's request, went to his private mechanic for inspection, showed him where the car was repaired (rear ended from previous owner with 10k damage, still no concern for the buyer due to my upfront honesty), took him for 2 test drives, and stayed with them until they registered the car to their name. A lot of work but at end of the day I was able to sell my car really quick without dealing with the low ballers.
Bottom Line: Write as much as you want in your ad to give potential buyers more info up front. This will prevent people emailing for details and saving you time responding back.
Good luck!
MPBGT
New member
- Oct 4, 2012
- 548
- 0
Obviously detail it.
It might be a bit challenging to sell outright since it's not that old, most people who are in the used car market won't be able to buy it outright so it may limit your market.
I always do my transactions at/in a bank so you have the money in hand and deposited. I've read horror stories even about bank checks so I only deal in cash or direct transaction at the bank.
Good luck
It might be a bit challenging to sell outright since it's not that old, most people who are in the used car market won't be able to buy it outright so it may limit your market.
I always do my transactions at/in a bank so you have the money in hand and deposited. I've read horror stories even about bank checks so I only deal in cash or direct transaction at the bank.
Good luck
brettS4
New member
- Jan 7, 2015
- 649
- 0
If it's a fairly desirable car, you might want to post it on Autotrader. You'll get interest from more than just the locals. But take good photos. I recently bought my car from a private seller 150 miles away, in another state. It's a rather uncommon car these days tho, due to its age.
Make sure the final sales receipt lists "sold As Is" so the buyer can't come back to you for anything that goes wrong after the sale. Unless there is a factory warranty to transfer, of course.
Collect all service receipts. Especially for major things. I bought my current car 3 months ago, choosing it specifically because the seller had a receipt showing he had the most recent maintenance done.. A $1100 timing belt job. List things like that in the ad.
The more honest and upfront you are, the less hassle you'll have. Don't talk up the car too much or some people might get too high expectations. Let the car sell itself. Just tell good potential buyers "you have to see it to really appreciate it". If they don't see it, they won't buy it. On the other hand, be wary of people who just want to screw around. College kids might want to just take it for a ride. You don't need that.
It doesn't hurt to mention "a few people are interested but we haven't been able to meet yet". That makes you seem like you have options and won't take lowballs.
And an engine bay detail can sell the car by itself if the buyer opens the hood. Btw, make sure the fluids are topped off, including coolant. And change the oil in case someone pulls the dipstick.
Make sure the final sales receipt lists "sold As Is" so the buyer can't come back to you for anything that goes wrong after the sale. Unless there is a factory warranty to transfer, of course.
Collect all service receipts. Especially for major things. I bought my current car 3 months ago, choosing it specifically because the seller had a receipt showing he had the most recent maintenance done.. A $1100 timing belt job. List things like that in the ad.
The more honest and upfront you are, the less hassle you'll have. Don't talk up the car too much or some people might get too high expectations. Let the car sell itself. Just tell good potential buyers "you have to see it to really appreciate it". If they don't see it, they won't buy it. On the other hand, be wary of people who just want to screw around. College kids might want to just take it for a ride. You don't need that.
It doesn't hurt to mention "a few people are interested but we haven't been able to meet yet". That makes you seem like you have options and won't take lowballs.
And an engine bay detail can sell the car by itself if the buyer opens the hood. Btw, make sure the fluids are topped off, including coolant. And change the oil in case someone pulls the dipstick.
KMdef9
New member
- Jan 17, 2014
- 789
- 0
How your ad is written is big.
-Don't write like a child using "OMG FAST", "LOL THIS&THAT", etc.
-Write it like an essay, an intro, body and conclusion.
-The more details the better.
-The more pictures the better.
Sadly, with that car, your going to get alot of the "colorful" people from CL. Don't let them test drive it without the asking price money in hand.
-Don't write like a child using "OMG FAST", "LOL THIS&THAT", etc.
-Write it like an essay, an intro, body and conclusion.
-The more details the better.
-The more pictures the better.
Sadly, with that car, your going to get alot of the "colorful" people from CL. Don't let them test drive it without the asking price money in hand.
Do not accept personal checks, and be honest. If there's anything wrong with the car, tell them upfront. Hopefully you have ALL the manuals and service records too. I sold my old 2000 TRANS AM WS6 and I had every single warranty service repair order (customer copy), all the books that came with the vehicle and every single receipt for ANYTHING bought for the car, including oil/filters. I did EVERY single oil change on the 1st weekend of every 3 months, no matter the mileage...synthetic oil and I had every receipt. I didn't write anything in the service notes section of the owners manual, instead I had it all written in a seperate book and on a zip drive. I was asking above book value because I knew the car was worth it, and the buyer gave me what I was asking BECAUSE of the maintenance and records. The buyer said, he was sold when he saw that stuff, and his wife agreed, she wasn't leaving without the car, lol! Hopefully, you have all the records and everything, that's important
ScottB
New member
- Mar 3, 2006
- 18,803
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1. Ask for a non-refundable deposit (shows that buyer is inclined)
2. All money needs time to clear. If cash, take to bank and make deposit before notarizing title at same bank.
3. Do NOT loan your tag, immediately take to DMV or Tag Agency to turn in.
4. Make a Bill of Sale showing date, mileage, vin, and both seller and buyer. Get copy of their license as possible.
5. Make sure they provide copy of insurance as possible before final transfer of title, cancel yours immediately after signing title.
6. Remind buyer to retitle the car in their home state immediately. Bill of sale will help as they will be required to pay sales tax.
2. All money needs time to clear. If cash, take to bank and make deposit before notarizing title at same bank.
3. Do NOT loan your tag, immediately take to DMV or Tag Agency to turn in.
4. Make a Bill of Sale showing date, mileage, vin, and both seller and buyer. Get copy of their license as possible.
5. Make sure they provide copy of insurance as possible before final transfer of title, cancel yours immediately after signing title.
6. Remind buyer to retitle the car in their home state immediately. Bill of sale will help as they will be required to pay sales tax.
MPBGT
New member
- Oct 4, 2012
- 548
- 0
This is very good advice, Microsoft office has a pretty good template for a bill of sale.