How to Sell a Used Car on AutoTrader.com

You may be anxiously ready to “get rid” of the car you’ve been driving for years, or sad to see it go. Whichever the case, selling your used vehicle can be a tough and long process if you go the traditional route of posting a sign in your back window, putting up a sign in your driveway or an ad in the Sunday News. Make your selling process much easier to facilitate and shorter to complete by using the user-friendly AutoTrader.com website to find the perfect next owner for your soon-to-be former vehicle!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Access to the Internet

1. Navigate to http://www.autotrader.com.

2. In the “Sell Your Car” area, click on “Sell Your Car”. Note: if you’ve previously posted an ad, select “Edit Your Ad”.

3. Enter your zipcode to begin the process of creating your ad.

4. Select from the available ad packages. The Standard Package will include your car’s ad in "AutoTrader" magazine, as well as on the Web site; it will run the ad for two weeks and includes an email link, a single photo and a detailed description. The Enhanced Package includes everything in the Standard Package but will run until your vehicle sells, and also allows up to nine additional photos to be posted online, and places your online ad in bold lettering. The Deluxe Package includes everything in the Enhanced Package plus highlighting of your ad online and a thumbnail photo of your car in the listing.

5. Fill out the ad information form with complete information on the vehicle, its features, your contact data, and a detailed description. Preview your description, select which print venue you want your ad posted in, and click Next.

6. Upload photos to be included in your ad. Click Next.

7. Review your car details page, and make any edits necessary. Click Next.

8. Enter your payment information. Note that this is a secured payments page. Click “Submit Order”.

9. Wait for offers to come in!

Tips & Warnings

• If you select the Enhanced or Deluxe Package, make sure to take full advantage and post as many photos of your vehicle, inside and out, as you can.
• Before setting a selling price for your used car, check its value through Kelley Blue Book, at http://www.kbb.com.
• You can often sell your car for a higher price than if you trade it in at a dealership. However, you do take on all responsibility for any paperwork necessary to make the transaction legal.
• Be honest when describing your vehicle–if you deceive your vehicle’s purchaser and they are stuck with a car that had undisclosed issues, you can be found liable.