How to sell a car

Selling can be fun, but also sometimes frustrating. There are a lot of people out there that will waste you time, try to scam you, and will try to nickle and dime you out of every cent on your car. That said, selling it yourself IS the way to get more money for your ride.

Prepare your car for sale. Get a good detail job done. It may cost $100 or more, but you will get it back and more when you go to sell. Get your car inspected. It is required for license in most states, and in many, you can be held responsible if it doesn’t pass the safety portion. Also, it lets the seller know up front you are trying to be honest.

Be prepared to negotiate. Price your car higher than you really want, because buyers will try to talk you down. If you have a $100 car, they will try to get it for $50. I usually price it about 10% higher than I will really accept.

Make sure buyers meet you at a safe location. If you are a living alone, meet the buyer at your parents house or friends, and tell them up front that is where you are going. Don’t let them know where you work or live. Don’t meet in parking lots as some never come, and other can’t find you anyway, it is a waste of time.

Go with the buyer on a test drive, again be safe here as well. If a buyer shows up in a beat 82 Monte Carlo to look at your Corvette, better ask to see cash first. Also, make sure they have insurance. These days, you have to. Have a back up plan. If the car doesn’t sell, know where you are going to park it or donate it. I have spare cars sitting because I simply don’t want to give them away. Be careful with scams as well. Don’t ship the car, or let anybody take off with it until you get CASH.

Get the buyer to sign a bill of sale with an “As is, where is” statement saying you are not responsible for anything after the title passes. You can get these off the internet or from stationary stores. Make the title, cash swap at your bank. I like to do it there so I can immediately deposit the money (get cash only) and I can have my bank notorize the bill of sale, then make a copy for the buyer. This isn’t required in most states, but I like to anyway because it is more official, and lets the buyer know you are serious about that “As is, where is” stuff.