How to Sell My Car

So it's come time to part with your current vehicle and in order to get the best money from your car you will have to do a little work. Selling your car is not a difficult task, but you must have patience and determination. There are many steps you must take to ensure a successful transaction.

1. Clean your vehicle and remove all personal belongings. Wash the exterior and clean the interior. Vacuum the carpet and clean all smudges from the windows. Apply a protectant to the vinyl or leather.


2. Gather all maintenance records so you can give them to the buyer. This lets them know what work has been performed and when the last oil change was completed.


3. Determine and be prepared to disclose any maintenance issues with the vehicle. Research the current market value using Kelly Blue Book to help you determine the price. Take into consideration if the buyer is going to need to put money out for repairs when putting a price on your vehicle.


4. List your vehicle online, in the newspaper or display a window sign when driving around. Tell friends, family and co-workers your car is for sale.


5. Answer any calls from potential buyers. Be honest about the price and how much you will accept if they want to barter. Now is the time to tell them about any repairs needed. If they are interested in purchasing the vehicle set up a public location to meet.


6. Bring your maintenance records and the vehicle's title, if you are the titleholder. Create a bill of sale or find one to print from an online source. This is a written record that is signed by both you and the buyer. Accept payment in the form of cash if it is under $10,000, sign and hand over the title. If the buyer doesn't want to do cash because it is a larger amount, you should meet at the bank. The buyer should obtain a cashier's check made out to you in your presence. Note that this is a safer option than a personal check, which should not be accepted if you do not know the person. You need to be aware of scams and most importantly trust your gut instinct. If you have a loan on the vehicle, you and the buyer will need to go to the bank together. The buyer will pay the bank and they will release the title.


7. Go to the DMV or go online and transfer the title to the new owner's name. This releases you from any legal liability regarding the vehicle.