Selling a Second-Hand Car Online
There are numerous methods of
facilitating a private car sale, and which one works best might vary by locale.
Some individuals may find success through newspaper classified ads while others
prefer to simply park the vehicle in a high-traffic location with a for-sale
sign. Others might prefer to list online through sites such as cars.com or
autotrader.com.
Have a Used Car for Sale? Try Autotrader.com or Cars.com for Private Car Sales
Here is a brief overview of what to
expect when listing a car for sale by owner on autotrader.com or cars.com:
- Autotrader.com
– Motor vehicles listed on autotrader.com are also advertised on the
website’s partner sites, including Msn.com, Edmunds.com, and
Univision.com. Online vehicle listing prices begin at $29.99 for a simple
3-week ad with one photo. For the ability to post more photos and list for
a longer time period the price increases to $49.99 (9 photos; 8 weeks) to
$75.99 (18 photos; runs until it sells with a money back guarantee).
- Cars.com
– Autos listed on cars.com may also appear on its affiliate websites like
Yahoo! Autos, freebo.com, Consumer Guide Automotive, and pickuptrucks.com.
Cars.com has a more locally-focused strategy which may appeal to many
sellers. Online-only ad packages start at $20; the website also offers a
combo online plus print ad (local newspaper) package where available.
With autotrader.com and cars.com,
sellers should be willing to deal with out-of-town purchasers. Buyers have the
ability to search locally by zip code, but someone across the country could
also contact you.
Used Car Checklist – Things to Do Before Selling a Second Hand Car Online or Offline
Regardless of which method a seller
uses, certain things must be done in order to prepare the car for sale.
Furthermore, immediately upon
selling the vehicle, make sure to remove insurance coverage and turn in license
plates if required by state law.
How to Sell Your Car Online – Reasons to Use eBay, Craigslist, Autotrader.com Vehicle Listings
In pricing a car for private sale
online, you should consider whether the buyer will have an opportunity take a
test drive or let a mechanic inspect the car. If one or both of those things is
impossible, then be prepared for the buyer to negotiate fiercely in exchange
for his or her risk tolerance.
