How to Sell a Used Car

Regardless of what shape your vehicle's in, you can expect a good selling experience if you're straightforward and honest with prospective buyers.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Newspaper
• Car Wash Supplies
• Car Wax
• Kelley Blue Book
• For Sale Signs
• Screwdriver Sets
• Hand Vacuum Cleaners

1. Check the car's Kelley Blue Book value. The Blue Book is a catalog of car values, available at libraries and banks, and online at www.kbb.com.
2. Look in the classified section of your local paper or a local auto-trader publication (usually distributed free at grocery stores and similar outlets) to compare the market value of similar cars.
3. Decide how far above or below that value you can fairly go. Consider factors such as the car's condition, mileage, aftermarket add-ons, exotic coloring and any repair work you've had done.
4. Wash and wax the car, empty the trunk, and fix any small problems with the interior'broken knobs, sticking windows, torn upholstery. Clean the interior thoroughly (see related eHows 'Wash a Car' and 'Wax a Car').
5. Gather all the service and repair records together. Make photocopies of the records to give to a prospective buyer. Take measures to see that the car's paperwork is in order, such as paying off any outstanding parking tickets and making sure the registration is current.
6. Contact your state's department of motor vehicles or authorized automobile club to find out if you're responsible for a smog certificate; this varies from state to state.
7. Advertise your car. Put up signs at your repair shop, local cafe or grocery store if any of them have a bulletin board. Place ads in local newspapers and other classified ad resources, and put a 'For Sale' sign in the window of your car.
8. Seek out online classifieds and bulletin boards. Often bulletin boards have discussions for a particular make and model.
9. When a buyer shows interest, explain your reasons for selling the car. State the repairs you've had done and the gas mileage. Note any new parts, in particular.
10. Appear to be mulling over the buyer's first offer, even if it's higher than you had hoped.
11. Avoid making a counteroffer to an insultingly low offer. Politely decline and say you cannot accept anything so low. Counteroffer when the buyer gets closer to what you might accept. Continue until you agree on a fair price.
12. Accept cash, a cashier's check or a money order in payment for the car. Don't take a personal check unless you know the person very well.
13. Sign your car's title certificate to transfer ownership to the buyer. Federal law requires the seller to provide the buyer with two documents: the title certificate of the vehicle and an odometer statement showing the car's mileage. Certain states may require a smog certificate and other forms (call your department of motor vehicles to determine exactly what you'll need). Other documents, such as the car's warranty (if transferable) and service records, are not required but may be turned over to the buyer.
14. Note that in many states the seller is required to contact the department of motor vehicles to inform it of the transfer of ownership; it's the buyer's responsibility to change the registration.
15. Notify your insurance company once the car sells, and after you have transferred the title to the new owner. Tell the company to remove it from your policy.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow the buyer to inspect your car through an independent mechanic. Be up-front about both major and minor defects' rust, a bad engine, failing brakes'and subtract the cost of repairs from your asking price.
• Agree to meet the prospective buyer at a garage or accept a deposit of a few hundred dollars while the car is being inspected.
• Write the buyer a receipt for the transaction, indicating that you are selling the vehicle 'as is,' to avoid future problems.
• Failing to inform the state motor-vehicles department of the change of ownership can set you up for hardship if the car's new owner is irresponsible.
• Check with your insurance company to see if the prospective buyer is insured during a test drive. Always ride along during the test drive'thieves have been known to steal cars this way.