I have a car I need to sell in roughly a month, but it's been so long since I've sold a car so no idea what the process is like. I have a good idea of the value, and the car runs pretty good over all. It definitely has some cosmetic wear and the AC is out, but no check engine lights or anything big. Also has a rebuilt title since I bought it at a discount like that, but I've been driving it for years and no major issues. Where do I sell it these days? Are there any scams to watch out for? How do sites like Carmax work and are they worth it? I'd love to hear any and all advice.
- Where do I sell it these days?
Facebook Marketplace seems to be the default place to sell cars these days. Just expect to have to filter out a lot of scams, sob stories, fakes, etc.
- How do sites like Carmax work and are they worth it?
Online they usually make an offer based on the car and a questionnaire on the condition. I sold a car during the insane COVID inflation of car prices to Carvana and the process went fine. I just entered my current car's info into Carmax's online calculator and they offered $1000.
With a rebuilt title any type of trade-in is at a dealership is going to lowball you, so selling to another individual is probably best for your finances.
Yeah get a CarMax quote and that will be your lowest offer. They're pretty straightforward with how they do things. It's fine but there are ways you can get more value if you want.
All else fails just take their offer and move on.
My only experience selling cars is calling up a scrap yard, driving it onto the street with three wheels, and collecting $300 bucks
In general? wherever you post it - Craigslist, offerup, local classifieds, auto classified sites, etc. you will get some spam to whichever medium you choose to communicate thru. I got tons of scam/spam calls, tons of scam texts, and emails when I posted my 11 year old family-mobile about three months ago.
Carmax will take just about anything if its registered to you, I think. I have a friend who sold a mid 00’s Honda Accord to Carmax maybe a year ago. I dunno what he got but they did buy it from him. They test drove it, and did a bank draft or something on the spot The state I live in has a form that you can fill out after a car sale to notify the state it was sold and is no longer in your posession. That way if someone buys a car, and racks up a shitload of parking tickets you dont end up with a hassle over it. Maybe see if where you live has something similar?
Be up front about any issues with the car in whatever ad you place but be sure to Stick to your guns when it comes to price. “I know what I have” or close to it. My experience selling the few vehicles I have owned, is just people asking you if youll take less than what youre asking, but to an extreme. YMMV on that one possibly.
no checks, unless they’re cashier’s. Pay attention to the bills if you get cash. Im not sure if a pen would catch all the current counterfeits but maybe you might want to buy/borrow one? if youre unfamiliar with bills or something like that maybe familiarize yourself with what large currency is wherever you live before someone buys it. I kind of assume youre probably US/Canada but i dont want to assume tooooo much.
I think if you mention the sale to be as is on the bill of sale, thats more or less the magic incantation to absolve you of any accusations of selling a bunk car intentionally. It was printed out pretty plainly that mine was sold as is on the reciept i gave the person who bought mine.
anyway, sorry for making you read all that shit.
If the title is branded don't bother with Carmax. It will sell wholesale and they'll lowball the hell out of you
You’re gonna have a hard time with a branded title and non working ac unless you sell it cheap.
I’ve never had good luck selling cheap junkers on marketplace or Craigslist. It always brings out the trolls and weird people. But I think it’s your best bet for that car.
