7 Steps to Sell Your Vehicle (2024)

1. Clean it Up

Whether you detail it yourself or have someone else do it, make sure it gets the attention it needs inside and out. Also, do you best to fix any internal issues that you can. According to the DMV website, “Potential buyers want to drive away with a vehicle that is trustworthy. Things that could blow the deal for you include worn tires, squeaky brakes, check engine lights, cloudy headlights, or burned out light bulbs.”

Luckily for you, we provide reasonably priced services to fix your car quickly. From paintless dent repair to professional refinishing and everything in between, we can take care of the hard stuff while you relax.

2. Take Photos

Once you’ve cleaned it up, get quality photos of the interior and exterior from as many flattering angles as you can. The more quality photos the better! It helps buyers feel like you don’t have anything to hide.

3. Collect Your Records

Gather all your service records together and organize them so that potential buyers know you’ve been treating your car right by getting it serviced at proper intervals.

4. Compile the Necessary Documents

Gather the title, registration, and insurance card. If you still owe a balance on your car loan, get more information from your lender about the loan payoff and the steps you need to take to get a clear title when you sell your vehicle.

5. Be Prepared!

Prepare the bill of sale with all of your info - name, address, phone, and VIN number.

6. Get Your Car Appraised

Visit a few local dealerships, tell them you’re interested in selling your car, and ask if they’d make an offer. You can then use this offer as your bottom line in negotiations with a private seller. You’ll also want to use Kelley Blue Book as another resource to determine what your car is worth. Kelley Blue Book has been a respected source of auto pricing for over 80 years and has been available on the web for free since 1995.

7. Craft a Good-Looking Ad

Now that you’ve gone through the hard work of gathering your documents and service records, taking great photos, and researching what your car is worth, you can craft a great ad on a few sites. This is where you can simply decide what will work best for you. Maybe you want to sell on an auction site like ebay, maybe you just want a classified ad, maybe you want to put a for sale sign in your window. You could even do all these things and include your vehicle on other sites like Facebook if you want it to sell faster.

The main thing to remember when selling your car is to be a trustworthy seller. Be honest about your vehicle and put the work in to make it worth the sale. As we’ve already said, we’re happy to lighten the load on your end and help you improve your car for the sale. In addition to phenomenal customer service, we offer free estimates, loaner cars, and so much more.

Visit our website to learn more about us, how we can help you, and how we’ve been serving Central Minnesota since 1987!

7 Steps to Sell Your Vehicle (2024)

FAQs

7 Steps to Sell Your Vehicle? ›

In California, the best practice when selling a car is to leave the license plates on the vehicle. Sellers should ensure they complete all necessary paperwork, especially the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability. This form protects the seller from future issues.

What are the 7 steps in the car sales process? ›

10 Car Sales Steps to Selling
  • Car Sales Meet and Greet.
  • Discovery and Determine Needs.
  • Car Sales Walk-Around.
  • A Car Selling Test Drive.
  • Post-Test Drive Discovery.
  • Car Sales Negotiating or Discussion.
  • Closing the Car Sale – Make a Deal.
  • F&I or Business Office – Finance and Paperwork.

What are the 10 steps to a car sale? ›

However, these 10 steps are the basic breakdown most sales people use to sell more cars.
  • Meet and Greet.
  • Initial Discovery.
  • Vehicle Walk-Around.
  • Test Drive.
  • Post-Test Drive Discovery.
  • Service Introduction.
  • The Numbers.
  • Negotiation and Closing.

Should I remove my license plate when selling a car in California? ›

In California, the best practice when selling a car is to leave the license plates on the vehicle. Sellers should ensure they complete all necessary paperwork, especially the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability. This form protects the seller from future issues.

What are the 4 P's of car sales? ›

Dealerships are competing at a time when The 4Ps of Automotive Marketing have changed forever. The new 4Ps of Automotive Marketing are price, product, place, and person, with promotion becoming an element of all 4Ps rather than standing apart on its own.

What is the 1 10 rule for car buying? ›

According to Dogen, paying over 1/10th of your income on a car causes stress because you're always thinking of what can go wrong and what potential damage will cost. Often, when people overspend on an item they fear the money should be going toward something more important, causing guilt and resentment.

What are the 5 steps of the car buying process? ›

These 5 Easy Steps to Buying Your Next Car will help you save time and money when you're ready to purchase.
  • Find the best car for your needs. ...
  • Determine monthly payments you can afford. ...
  • Consider the full costs of ownership. ...
  • Take a Test Drive. ...
  • Find the Best Loan. ...
  • You're Ready to Go!

What 7 factors should you consider before buying a new or used car? ›

10 Things You Should Consider Before Buying a Car
  • Determine What Car Fits Your Needs. ...
  • Get Your Credit Report. ...
  • Review Your Loan Options. ...
  • Discover Your Car's Trade-In Value. ...
  • Determine Your Desired Payment. ...
  • Decide Whether to Buy a New or Used Car. ...
  • Learn About the Car's History. ...
  • Consider Whether You Would Like to Buy or Lease.
Jan 15, 2024

Is it better to pay cash for a car? ›

If you have the funds, and if avoiding debt is important to you, then paying cash could be a great move. If, however, you need to build your credit, then consider going with a loan instead, particularly if you can get a good interest rate.

How do I protect myself when selling a car in California? ›

On top of protecting your physical safety, consider taking these financial and legal safety precautions when selling your car:
  1. Ask for the driver's proof of insurance. ...
  2. Get everything in writing. ...
  3. Wait for the money to come in. ...
  4. Keep your car insured while it's yours. ...
  5. Complete the paperwork.

How do I notify California DMV that I sold my car? ›

The registered owner or the person in physical possession of a vehicle being sold/transferred must submit a completed REG 138 to DMV within five calendar days of the sale (transfer). This can be done using a printed REG 138 or online, using the Internet Notice of Release of Liability (IRL) on the DMV Internet website.

What documents do I need to sell my car in California? ›

Selling Your Car? Here is All the Paperwork You Will Need (California Edition)
  • California Certificate of Title.
  • Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form (REG 262)
  • Notice of Release of Liability (REG 138)
  • Statement of Facts (REG 256)
  • Application for Title or Registration REG 343.

What are the 12 steps to the sale? ›

  • STEP 1 - Introduce Yourself. ...
  • STEP 2 - Qualify the Customer. ...
  • STEP 3 - Ask Questions to Identify Three to.
  • STEP 4 - Identify Product and Service Needs to.
  • STEP 5 - Present and Demonstrate Examples of.
  • STEP 6 - Open Discussion: Test the Client's.
  • STEP 7 - Show Your Brochures, Fact Sheets,

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