The digital age has given drivers more options than ever before for selling goods and services, whether it’s renting out your home, delivering food, or ferrying people around town as part of a rideshare service. There are many advantages to these tech-powered transactions, especially in terms of convenience, but the approach loses some of its appeal when it comes to big-ticket items like cars, trucks, and SUVs. Drivers have been peddling their unwanted automotive wares through newspaper classifieds and auto-trading publications for decades, but the advent of the internet has made private sales easier than ever.
Just type “Sell my car” into your browser of choice, and you’ll be met with endless options, including web-based classifieds and social media marketplaces. While the convenience is tough to deny, the web-based approach does have some downsides. From lowball offers and sketchy interactions to liability-related issues, private sales often fall short of the convenience and professionalism of the dealership experience. Join us as we explore the benefits of working with a dealership and cover a few brief tips that’ll help to prep your car for a successful sale.
Dealer vs Private Sale
Drivers have an important decision to make when it comes time to part with their current ride. Do you sell to the dealership, or try your luck on the open market? While it’s largely a matter of personal preference, there are some important factors a seller should consider before pursuing a private sale.
Convenience and Speed
Statistics show that the average private sale often takes as long as two to eight weeks between the time of listing and the day of sale, which can seem like an eternity if you’re desperate to replace your current daily driver. Between taking photos, making multiple listings, and responding to every tire kicker under the sun, a private sale can often be more of a hassle than it’s worth. In contrast, a dealership sale can often be completed in a single visit, putting cash in your pocket and helping to finance your search for a suitable replacement. If you find yourself in a tight spot, the speed and ease of the dealership experience is pretty tough to beat.
Price
If you want to get the best price for your used vehicle, a dealership might be the more profitable option. While there’s a widely held belief that a private sale will yield a better return, that’s not necessarily the case, especially when it comes to newer, low-mileage vehicles. While guidelines vary by location and current market conditions, any vehicle that’s less than five years old and has fewer than 50,000 miles on the odometer could make a good candidate for a dealership sale. Used car prices have cooled following an all-time high in 2022, but remain historically high relative to pre-pandemic levels.
Then there’s the professional touch. The experienced sales team at your local auto dealership knows its way around the block when it comes to buying a used vehicle and can walk you through every step of the process. From calculating the correct taxes and checking the title to completing the bill of sale, release of liability, and other pertinent paperwork, you won’t have to worry about running afoul of sales-related rules and regulations when you work with a dealership.
Safety
While we all try to put our trust in our fellow man, there are always going to be some shifty characters who are looking to take advantage of others wherever they can. If a vehicle experiences a malfunction or an accident soon after the sale, the buyer might seek compensation or try to shift liability to the seller. This is easily avoided at a dealership, where pre-owned vehicles undergo an exhaustive inspection and repair process that ensures only the safest, most reliable models reach the sales floor.
Speaking of safety, there’s always going to be some risks associated with selling to a random stranger you found on the internet. This can be especially nerve-wracking if the sale was conducted through a social media site, which can allow buyers to access personal information, including your location, employer, friends, and relatives. You avoid this risk when selling to a dealership.
Preparation Is Key
The process of selling your used vehicle starts well before you make a listing or hit your local dealership. From finding the right paperwork to giving your vehicle a deep clean and researching a fair sale price, let’s walk through the basics and address any roadblocks a seller might encounter.
Gather Paperwork
The first step in the pre-sale process is gathering the necessary documentation to prove you actually own your vehicle. A vehicle’s title is the most important of these documents, though additional paperwork may be required under state law. While every seller is required to disclose the odometer’s status under the federal Truth in Mileage Act, some jurisdictions may also require emissions paperwork, a report of sale, and other documentation. If you’re unsure of the relevant laws in your area, a quick visit to your local DMV’s website is sure to turn up a comprehensive list. If you want to ensure you’re getting the best price for your used vehicle, consider including additional documents such as the owner’s manual, service records, and a vehicle history report.
Research the Value
Next, it’s time to determine the fair market value for your pre-owned vehicle. There are plenty of well-known websites that allow drivers to properly price their vehicles, with Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds among the more popular options. There’s no such thing as too much information when it comes to leveraging these resources. The more data you can plug into a trade-in website, the more accurate the price will be. From mileage and condition to color, trim, optional equipment packages, and accessories, there are countless factors that can impact a model’s market value. These apps will typically return a wealth of information, including separate prices for private sales and trade-ins.
Drivers can also gauge value based on the vehicle’s condition, with sites like Kelley Blue Book providing specific data for vehicles in Fair, Good, Very Good, and Excellent condition. These pricing websites ensure you won’t leave any money on the table when it’s time to part with your ride. However, while some of these websites will also offer to buy your vehicle, they tend to offer substantially less than fair market value.
Get It Showroom Ready
Finally, it’s time to prepare your vehicle for sale. A thorough cleaning can significantly up a car’s curb appeal, allowing owners to enjoy a better return on their investment. A quick car wash represents the bare minimum, but if you really want to walk away from the sale with a hefty check, the interior shouldn’t be treated as an afterthought. A little elbow grease can make all the difference on the day of sale, so lug out the vacuum cleaner and buy some specialized automotive cleaning products that’ll give the dashboard, upholstery, and interior trim that showroom shine.
You’ll also want to remove any personal items that might be lodged in the cabin, as well as any bumper stickers or decorations. Once you’ve got your vehicle in tip-top condition, it’s time to take clear, high-quality photos from multiple angles that showcase your vehicle’s best side. A short video can also work wonders, dispelling any concerns about noisy engines, squeaky brakes, and other malfunctions that might affect the sale price. No one expects world-class photography, but it’s hard to underestimate the importance of good lighting for achieving the best results.
Experience The Dealership Difference
Selling your vehicle can be intimidating, but a little preparation can make a big difference in ensuring a fair, quick, and lucrative experience. From researching current prices and gathering important documents to snapping photos and cleaning the interior, there are lots of easy ways to get the most out of your automotive investment. Trust is key when it comes to making any big-ticket purchase, and that’s where LaFontaine Buick GMC Ann Arbor shines. Whether you’re looking to sell your current ride or finance your next vehicle, we’ll work out an equitable deal that’ll leave both parties feeling safe and satisfied. We’re always on the hunt for quality used vehicles and can offer the kind of pricing and convenience that are tough to find in a private sale. If you’re tired of replying to an endless stream of “Is this still available?” messages on social media and ready for a more civilized car-selling process, make your way down to LaFontaine Buick GMC Ann Arbor.
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