The 4 Best Ways To Sell Your Car in 2023

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Selling a car can be a stressful and time-consuming process, but it doesn’t have to be. There are several options available for selling your car, including trading it in, selling it privately, selling it to someone in your circle, and using a service like Carmigo. Each option has its own benefits and drawbacks, so choosing the right option for your circumstances ensures you’ve got the best way to sell your car.

1. Trade In

One of the most convenient ways to sell a used car is to trade it in at a dealership. This is a great option for those who are looking for a hassle-free experience and want to avoid the complexities of selling a car on their own. The dealership will assess the value of your car and give you a trade-in offer that you can either accept or decline. If you accept, you can use the value of your car as a down payment on a new car.

  1. Convenience: Trading in your car is a convenient option because you can do it all in one place. You don’t have to worry about selling your car privately or dealing with potential buyers.
  2. Time-Saving: Trading in your car can save you a lot of time. You won’t have to spend time advertising your car or meeting with potential buyers.
  3. Tax Savings: When you trade in your car, you may be able to save on taxes. In most states, you only pay sales tax on the difference between the trade-in value and the purchase price of the new car.
  4. Guaranteed Sale: When you trade in your car, the dealership will take care of the sale. This means you don’t have to worry about finding a buyer or negotiating the sale price.
  1. Lower Value: When you trade in your car, you may not get the full value for your vehicle. Dealerships need to make a profit on the sale of your car, so they may offer you a lower trade-in value than what you could get if you sold the car privately.
  2. Limited Negotiation: When you trade in your car, you have limited negotiation power. The dealership will offer you a trade-in value, and you can either accept or decline the offer.
  3. Limited Selection: When you trade in your car at a dealership, you’ll be limited to purchasing a car from that dealership’s inventory. This means you may not find the exact car you’re looking for or may have to settle for a car that doesn’t meet all of your needs.
Tips for Trading In

Research

Before you trade in your car, do some research to determine the value of your vehicle. Use resources like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds to get an estimate of your car's value.

Clean Your Car

Make sure your car is clean and in good condition before taking it to the dealership. A clean car will make a better impression and may result in a higher trade-in value.

Timing

Timing can be important when trading in your car. Consider trading in your car towards the end of the month when dealerships are more likely to be looking to meet sales quotas.

car with for sale sign

2. Sell Privately

Selling a car privately can often be the best way to get the most money for your vehicle. By selling it yourself, you have more control over the selling process and can negotiate the price with potential buyers. However, selling privately can also be time-consuming and require more effort. You will need to create an ad, take pictures, and schedule appointments with potential buyers. Additionally, there is always the risk of dealing with unreliable buyers or scammers. If you have a unique or customized car, this method may be the best way to find a buyer who appreciates its value.

  1. Higher Sale Price: When you sell your car privately, you can set your own price and negotiate with potential buyers to get the best possible price for your vehicle. This means that you’re more likely to get a higher sale price than if you trade it in or sell it to a dealer.
  2. Control Over the Sale: When you sell your car privately, you have more control over the sale. You can choose who you sell your car to, negotiate the price, and set your own terms for the sale.
  3. No Commission or Fees: When you sell your car privately, you don’t have to pay any commissions or fees to a dealer or third-party service.
  4. More Flexibility: When you sell your car privately, you’re not restricted by any deadlines or restrictions. You can take as much time as you need to find the right buyer and close the sale.
  1. Time-Consuming: Selling your car privately can be a time-consuming process. You’ll need to advertise your car, deal with potential buyers, and handle all the paperwork and legal requirements associated with the sale.
  2. Safety Concerns: When you sell your car privately, you’ll be dealing with strangers who may not have the best intentions. This can create safety concerns, especially if you’re meeting with potential buyers in person.
  3. Negotiations: When you sell your car privately, you’ll need to be prepared to negotiate with potential buyers. This can be a challenging and uncomfortable process for some people.
  4. Legal Requirements: Selling a car privately comes with a range of legal requirements that you’ll need to be aware of. This includes ensuring that you have a clear title to the car, transferring ownership, and following any relevant state or federal regulations.
Tips for Selling Privately

Research Car's Value

Before you set a price for your car, do some research to find out what other cars of the same make and model are selling for in your area. This will give you a good idea of what price to set for your car.

Clean or Detail Your Car

A clean and well-maintained car is more likely to sell for a higher price than one that is dirty or has visible wear and tear. Take the time to clean and detail your car before you put it up for sale.

Take Good Pics

Good photos are essential when selling a car privately. Make sure to take high-quality photos of your car from multiple angles, both inside and out.

Advertise Effectively

There are several ways to advertise your car when selling privately, including online classifieds, social media, and even putting up flyers in your neighborhood. Make sure to write an appealing description of your car and include all the important details such as its make, model, year, mileage, and any special features.

Be Prepared to Negotiate

When selling privately, potential buyers will likely try to negotiate the price of your car. Be prepared to negotiate, but also know your bottom line and be willing to walk away if the offer is too low.

friends surrounding car

3. Sell to Someone in Your Circle

Selling a car privately can often be the best way to get the most money for your vehicle. By selling it yourself, you have more control over the selling process and can negotiate the price with potential buyers. However, selling privately can also be time-consuming and require more effort. You will need to create an ad, take pictures, and schedule appointments with potential buyers. Additionally, there is always the risk of dealing with unreliable buyers or scammers. If you have a unique or customized car, this method may be the best way to find a buyer who appreciates its value.

  1. Trust: Selling a car to someone in your circle can give you peace of mind knowing that you are dealing with someone you know and trust. This can eliminate the stress and uncertainty that can come with selling a car to a stranger.
  2. Convenience: Selling a car to someone in your circle can be more convenient than other selling methods. You can arrange the sale at a time and place that works for both parties, and you may not have to worry about advertising or negotiating the price.
  3. Easy Transaction: When you sell your car to someone in your circle, the transaction can be more straightforward. You may not need to go through the process of getting your car inspected, filling out paperwork, and transferring the title as the buyer may already know the car’s history.
  4. Lower Risk of Scams: Selling to someone you know can reduce the risk of scams or fraud that can occur when dealing with strangers.
  1. Awkwardness: Selling a car to someone in your circle can be awkward if the sale doesn’t go smoothly or if there are disagreements over the price. This can strain relationships and create uncomfortable situations.
  2. Emotional Attachment: If you are selling a car to a friend or family member, you may have an emotional attachment to the vehicle, which can make it difficult to negotiate or let go.
  3. Potential for Misunderstandings: Selling a car to someone in your circle can create potential misunderstandings if the buyer expects more from the car than what you are willing to offer, or if the buyer is not satisfied with the car’s condition after purchase.
  4. Lower Selling Price: When you sell your car to someone in your circle, you may not get the best possible price for the vehicle. The buyer may be expecting a discount, or you may feel obligated to offer one.
Tips for Selling to Someone in Your Circle

Be Honest

When selling a car to someone you know, it's important to be upfront and honest about the car's condition, history, and any potential issues. This can help build trust and prevent any misunderstandings or disputes down the road.

Set a Fair Price

It's important to set a fair price for the car that reflects its condition and market value. You may want to do some research on similar cars in your area to get an idea of the going rate. However, be prepared for the buyer to ask for a discount, as they may expect one when dealing with someone they know.

Get the Paperwork in Order

Even though you are selling to someone you know, it's important to have all the necessary paperwork in order. This includes the car's title, registration, and any other relevant documents. Be sure to transfer ownership of the car to the buyer properly, and make sure they understand their responsibilities as the new owner.

Make Repairs and Clean the Car

Before selling the car, make any necessary repairs and give it a thorough cleaning. This can help increase its value and make a good impression on the buyer.

Be Professional

Even though you are selling to someone in your circle, it's important to be professional throughout the process. This includes communicating clearly, being prompt and reliable, and following through on any commitments you make.

Consider Payment Options

You and the buyer will need to decide on a payment method that works for both parties. This can include cash, check, or electronic transfer. Be sure to agree on the payment method and terms ahead of time.

Don't Get Emotional

Selling a car to someone in your circle can be emotionally charged, especially if you have an attachment to the car or the buyer. Try to keep emotions in check and focus on the business aspects of the transaction.

carmigo app screen

4. Sell on Carmigo

There are several online marketplaces that can help you sell a car. Some options include carvana, carmax, etc. While these are popular options, there is another service ripe with buyers that want your vehicle. Carmigo offers a marketplace of dealerships that compete via auction for your car. Rather than a singular offer given by other used car marketplaces, Carmigo gets you offers from multiple buyers. You only need to take a few minutes to fill in any necessary info and the rest is handled by the Carmigo team. Within one-business day your car can sell for more than asking and they’ll even pick it up. If your vehicle doesn’t get an offer equal or greater to your reserve price, you have no obligation to sell or pay any service fees. Plus you don’t have to interact with anyone if you don’t want to, but Carmigo is always there if you need them. 

  1. Quick and Easy: One of the biggest benefits of selling your car on Carmigo is that it’s quick and easy. You can create a listing for your car in minutes and start receiving offers from potential buyers right away.
  2. Wide Audience: Carmigo has a wide audience of potential buyers, which means that your car has a better chance of selling quickly and for a fair price.
  3. No Hassle: Selling a car can be a hassle, but when you sell on Carmigo, the platform takes care of all the paperwork and payment process. This means that you don’t have to worry about any of the post-sale details.
  4. Don’t Sell, Don’t Pay: Carmigo lets you list your car for free and you only need to pay the flat service fee if your car meets reserve and sells. If you vehicle doesn’t sell, you don’t pay a dime.
  1. Older or Customized Cars: Carmigo sells your car to a network of dealerships, so the most successful cars on the marketplace are usually cars built within the last ten years or so. While the marketplace sees a variety of vehicles, not many dealerships are looking for classic cars or vehicles with a ton of after-market customizations.
Tips for Selling on Carmigo

Be Honest about Condition

When creating your listing on Carmigo, be honest about your car's condition. This will help ensure that potential buyers are not disappointed when they come to see your car, and it will also help you get the best possible price.

Take Good Photos

Good photos are essential when selling your car on Carmigo. Take clear, well-lit photos of your car from multiple angles, both inside and out. This will help potential buyers get a good sense of your car's condition.

Set a Reasonable Asking Price

Do some research on the market value of your car, consider the condition and mileage and adjust your asking price accordingly. If you set it too high, it might not sell because potential buyers might not be in agreement regarding the worth. If you set it too low, you might not get as much as you could have.

Ask the Carmigo Team for Help

While Carmigo is straightforward and you don’t have to talk to anyone if you don’t want to, they are there to help you if you need it. If you have questions throughout the process, connecting with a Carmigo representative can do the trick.