If your old car has served you well and you’re considering trading it in, you may be wondering if buying a car online is the right choice. Before using an escrow service, however, thoroughly research and confirm it is reputable to avoid engaging with scammers posing as an escrow service. Trade the title for the payment – Do not sign or hand over the vehicle title to the buyer until you’ve received the agreed-upon payment in full. If the payment is not cash, see that the check or money order is legitimate, or wait for the Venmo payment to deposit in your checking account. If the buyer is paying with a check, go to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation website, FakeChecks.org, to verify it is not fraudulent. The paperwork requirements for selling a car vary from state to state. In other states, you must fill out official title-transfer forms.
The payment for your account couldn’t be processed or you’ve canceled your account with us. Buyers often want their mechanic to take a look under the hood.
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In a popular scam, the fraudulent buyer sends you a check with an additional amount to ship the car. You pay for the shipping, send the car, and then the check bounces.
Rick VanderKnyff leads the team responsible for expanding NerdWallet content to additional topics within personal finance. Previously, he has worked as a channel manager at MSN.com, as a web manager at University of California San Diego, and as a copy editor and staff writer at the Los Angeles Times.
Generate Reviews For Your Business
While this website is one of the pricier places to list a car initially, you can keep renewing your vehicle’s listing for up to one year. If no safe zone is available, meet in a well-lit public place with plenty of people around. Also, if you have any suspicions, ask to see the buyer’s driver’s license before letting him or her drive your car. Beyond great pricing, a set of high-quality, truthful photographs is the best way to draw shoppers’ attention to your car. Shoot plenty of interior and exterior photos, and if your vehicle has any noticeable blemishes, photograph those as well. Prospective buyers who come to test drive your car will be more likely to make an offer if they’re not unpleasantly surprised by the sight of it.
How much should I ask for my car?
For example, never drive the would-be buyer to another location. Often, such a request is framed as getting the money or arranging a loan to finish the sale. Instead, tell the buyer to make their own arrangements, leave a deposit and get back in touch when they’re ready to take a test drive or complete the sale. Make sure your auto insurance covers any test drive, and ask to see the potential buyer’s driver’s license before handing over your keys. Meet potential buyers in safe areas, such as well-trafficked retail or restaurant parking lots with security cameras.
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You can add to the sales price if you’ve purchased a new set of tires or installed new brakes. Options like leather seats (assuming they’re in good condition), navigation, and alloy wheels can be used as selling points to enhance a vehicle’s value. Kelly Blue Book has provisions to include those extras in calculating an accurate value. Some owners tend to overestimate the value of their car, which can lead to unrealistic expectations. If you ultimately set your asking price too high, you could experience trouble selling it. Basic detailing can cost a few hundred dollars, depending on the size, condition of your car, and where you live.
Determine Your Car’s Sales Price
Plus, if you’re shopping for a specific make or model, a car subscription can be a good way to test drive a car for an extended period of time to see if you like it. But subscribing to a car service likely won’t make sense for the average driver.
For more information, read our guide to how to sell a car you haven’t paid off yet. Odometer Disclosure Statement.This is a recording of your car’s mileage at the time of the sale. Basically, it’s included to certify that the mileage listed on the car’s odometer is accurate and no one has tampered with it. It includes information about both buyer and seller, the date of purchase, and often the purchase price, VIN, and mileage of the car being sold.