Best Place To Sell Your Car
Based on your needs, you can sell your car to private buyers, dealerships, or junkyards, but online car selling services combine the best of all options.
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Key Points:
- Selling your car to a private buyer may result in more profit but requires extra time and effort for research, advertising, and vetting potential buyers.
- Dealerships offer a convenient and streamlined selling process but typically make lower offers than private buyers and some online car buying companies.
- Online car selling platforms like CarMax, We Buy Any Car, and CarGurus provide a quick, convenient offer process and access to private buyers and dealerships.
Selling your car presents some challenges and requires a bit of research, but the experience doesn’t have to be a difficult one. How and where you choose to sell your car can make a significant difference, depending on what’s most important to you–making the most money, selling your car quickly, or finding the most convenient process.
In this article, we cover the best places to sell your car. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of local and online methods for car selling, the pros and cons of each, and our recommendations for the best websites to sell your car online.
Best Places To Sell Your Car
Ultimately, you have many choices when it comes to selling your vehicle. Each selling method offers unique advantages and drawbacks, so carefully consider your car selling goals as you explore your options below.
#1: Private Markets
Private buyers can be found through local newspaper ads, direct advertising via the vehicle, and online private marketplaces like Facebook and Craigslist. Some car selling companies like CarGurus or Cars.com have private sale platforms as well. You can weigh the pros and cons of using private buyers below.
Selling your car to a private buyer has many advantages. You may get a higher asking price for your vehicle by selling on a private marketplace than you would from a car dealership, for one thing. This is because dealers often make offers based on a vehicle’s potential for profit.
However, selling to a private buyer requires advertising the vehicle yourself and carefully vetting each potential buyer. It can take up more of your personal time than you may be willing to invest.
If you choose to sell your car via private sale, prepare ahead of time by researching what similar vehicles are selling for in private markets. To do this, you can consult car buying guide sites like Kelley Blue Book (KBB) and Edmunds. Always meet potential private buyers in safe, public locations and verify payment before transferring the title and handing over the keys.
#2: Dealerships
It’s likely that local dealerships in your area will be willing to buy your vehicle. This option is appealing because car dealers make fast offers, eliminate the need for personal advertising, and will handle the red tape of selling a car, such as title paperwork. However, there are few cons to this process as well:
Keep in mind that dealers often pitch lower prices when buying vehicles from private sellers. Dealers need to make a profit when they resell your vehicle, and you may notice a distinct difference between your car’s private market value and what a dealer will offer as a result. Dealers are also often less flexible when it comes to negotiating these prices and other details.
If you’re considering selling to a dealership, research your car’s value beforehand. Check what your vehicle is selling for on private seller marketplaces, and request offers from multiple dealerships in your area to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
#3: Online Car Selling Companies
Online car buying and selling services are the modern solution for selling your car. You can enter your car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) or make and model information to get an instant offer directly on most provider websites. Here are the major positive and negative highlights of online car selling services:
One major drawback is that car selling companies may require extra vetting. We recommend requesting quotes from multiple online car selling services to find the best deal. While you’re at it, speak with an agent from each company you request a quote from to learn more about shipping and handling fees, third-party charges, and other details you should expect when selling your car online.
#4: Junk Buyers And Junkyards
If your car no longer runs and requires considerable repairs, junk buyers may be your best bet for getting money for your vehicle. Local junk buyers and junkyards make selling and removing non-working vehicles convenient, but these services may only pay scrap metal prices. Even more, they may charge you for towing services and take the sum out of what your car is worth.
Consider comparing offers from both local junkyards and online junk car buyers like Peddle.
#5: Auto Auctions
If you’re selling a luxury or classic car, an auto action may be an excellent option to explore. Auto auctions attract buyers from all walks of life interested in finding potential deals. As long as interested buyers attend, these fast-paced, buyer-driven marketplaces also provide a convenient way to sell your car for parts and scrap.
Best Online Car Selling Services
No matter how you decide to sell your car, our team recommends getting quotes from reputable online car selling services as part of your research. Our top picks are CarMax, We Buy Any Car, and CarGurus.
#1: CarMax
CarMax is a widely recognized and reputable car buying and selling service. The company provides quick online offers and a stress-free selling experience. CarMax tends to make higher offers for newer vehicles than other car selling services. If you accept the offer, CarMax works with you to schedule and complete an in-person inspection and appraisal at the nearest company location. If everything checks out, CarMax offers same-day payments via check.
#2: We Buy Any Car
We Buy Any Car buys cars in junk to excellent condition and provides instant car valuations directly from the company’s website landing page. Like CarMax, We Buy Any Car requires an on-site final inspection before guaranteeing an offer but pays by check on the same day of the sale, should you accept the offer.
We Buy Any Car has outstanding customer reviews on both its Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot profiles and has locations in 21 states.
#3: CarGurus
CarGurus is a well-established and comprehensive online car selling platform. The company’s website provides an Instant Market Value tool that helps sellers learn more about the fair market value and trade-in value of their vehicle.
CarGurus offers are good for seven days or 250 miles, though offers for older or high-mileage vehicles may be lower than the KBB value of similar vehicles. Additionally, CarGurus instant offers are not available in all states. Unlike other providers in this list, however, the company offers vehicle pickup in locations where it operates.
If you’ve looked around the web, you know there are many car buying and selling services out there. You can continue to explore these options in-depth by visiting our list of the best websites to sell your car.
How To Get The Most Value For Your Car
There are some things you can do to tip the money scales in your favor.
Here are some actions we recommend taking:
- Clean and prepare your car. Clean your vehicle’s interior and exterior thoroughly and address any necessary repairs to enhance its overall appeal and condition.
- Price it right. Research the market through places like KBB or Edmunds to determine a fair and competitive price for your vehicle. Be open to negotiation, but avoid undervaluing your car.
- Take high-quality photos. Make sure to get many angles of your car in broad daylight when taking pictures. Take photos of both the interior and exterior.
- Get a vehicle history report. This extra step will go a long way in answering the questions that private buyers or other car selling sources may ask. Buyers like knowing what a car has been through.
- Create a compelling listing. Craft a detailed and honest description of your car, highlighting its features, condition, and maintenance history.
It’s important to be honest when listing your car’s condition and features. You’ll avoid buyers walking away or lowering their offers if they find the car wasn’t in the condition advertised.
Best Place To Sell Your Car: Our Take
The ideal place to sell your car ultimately depends on your priorities, the condition of your vehicle, and the time you’re willing to invest. Private sales often yield the highest return but require the most effort. Dealership trade-ins provide convenience but may offer a lower price.
Online car selling services offer a quick and straightforward option, while junk buyers or junkyards are suitable for non-running vehicles. Auto auctions can lead to some of the best prices but come with uncertainties. Consider your unique situation and preferences when determining the best place to sell your car.
Best Place To Sell Your Car: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about the best places to sell your car:
Where is the best place to sell your car?
Our research team found CarMax to be the best place to sell your car, largely for its versatile services and good reputation with customers. The company provides a hassle-free car selling experience and instant offers that are good for seven days. CarMax works with you to schedule an in-person inspection and test drive at one of its 244 nationwide locations. It also offers same-day payments by check.
Who pays the most to sell my car?
Private buyers tend to pay the most for cars because they’re not always trying to make a profit like car selling companies and dealerships are. With private buyers, you also have more room for negotiation and the most control over the sales process. The best private online marketplaces are CarGurus, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or eBay Motors.
What documents do I need to sell my car?
Generally, you’ll need the car’s title, bill of sale, maintenance records, and any necessary emissions or safety inspection certificates.
How can I avoid scams when selling my car privately?
Always meet in safe, public locations, verify payment, and be cautious when sharing personal information. Additionally, consider using more secure payment methods such as cashier’s checks or bank transfers.
Is it worth using an online car selling service to sell my vehicle?
Online car selling services can be a convenient and efficient way to sell your car, especially if you value speed and simplicity. While they may offer slightly lower prices compared to private sales, the ease of the process can make them a worthwhile choice for many sellers.
How We Rate Car Selling Platforms
Our review team extensively researches car selling platforms to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:
- Reliability: Providers that earn strong ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and have a long history in the car sales industry score well in this category.
- Platform: The best car selling companies provide easy-to-use platforms for a hassle-free experience. Our team rates each online platform based on its available features, like whether it provides instant offers or a variety of sales options.
- Pricing: We got quotes to sell several vehicles to see how each provider’s offers compared to competitors’. We considered a provider’s added fees when determining this rating.
- Support: Car selling platforms that offer consumers support throughout the selling process earn the highest scores in this category. This includes benefits like free pickup services or sending an in-person inspector to you for your convenience.
- Customer Experience: We consider customer reviews on sites like the BBB and Trustpilot to better understand the consumer experience. Car selling companies with convenient quote processes also perform well in this category.
