How to Sell a Car in Washington, D.C.

With over 5.2 million people in the greater Washington, D.C., area, when a resident wants to sell a car, she may be overwhelmed with options. It is challenging to find a fair price in a market so large. There are over 500 dealerships in the area where a seller can trade in or sell a used car.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. CarMax is a used-car dealership with locations in Rockville and Laurel, Md., and Woodbridge and Dulles, Va. All four locations are less than 10 miles from Washington, D.C. CarMax will buy a car regardless of whether the seller is planning to trade it in for another car. CarMax sells all brands and puts cars through inspection to make sure you get a fair price. A downside is that your car may be worth more than CarMax will offer, so if you're looking to get the best price, they may not be the best choice.

2. Autotrader.com allows you to sell from D.C.; however, anyone throughout the country can view the listing and buy. AutoTrader does all of its business online and will deliver your car to the buyer, regardless of whether he lives in Washington, D.C. According to AutoTrader, up to 14 million potential car buyers visit the site each month. One of the things sellers like most about AutoTrader is that sellers make their own listings, and the site offers tips and advice to help it get noticed.

3. List your car on the Washington Post: The Post has a daily listing of cars available for sale in the Washington, D.C., area. The Post's website also has listings using cars.com. Cars.com is available to more than just residents of Maryland, D.C. and Virginia, which will help the seller get a better price.

References

• Washington Post Car Listings
• Carmax
• Auto Trader