Private Party or Dealership – Where Should I Sell My Car?

If you ask five people, “what’s the best way to sell my car?” you’ll get a dozen different answers. Long gone are the days of just parking your used car in your yard with a “for sale” sign on it and get people stopping by with cash in hand. More importantly, who wants to deal with the hassle of that anyway? Should you sell your car as a private party or sell it to a dealership?

The good news is that there are tons of different ways you can answer the question, “where should I sell my car?” Here are some of the top methods you can use to make selling your car a painless and profitable transaction.

In-Person Private Party Sale

A private sale is when another person purchases your car directly from you. The most significant benefit of this kind of sale is that you don’t have to deal with a middleman who takes a portion of the profit.

The idea is pretty straightforward. Drive the car around with a “for sale” sign in the window. Tell your friends, family, co-workers that you’re selling the car in hopes of spreading the word. With luck, you won’t have to deal with complete strangers and can avoid any major headaches.

Of course, when you’re selling the car yourself, you’ll want to make sure it’s in great condition. You’re not going to get great offers if the car is dirty, has an odor, or doesn’t run properly.

Online Private Party Sale

If you’ve exhausted your personal network, you might try listing your car for sale online. There are plenty of places you can advertise your vehicle without incurring tons of fees. Most people are simply posting their car for sale on places like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or Nextdoor.

The overall idea is the same as an in-person private sale, but you’re extending your network via the internet. With the larger reach, you also have to deal with taking calls, setting up viewings, and keeping the car in tip-top shape. You’re also more likely to encounter people looking for a deal, scams, and low-ball offers.

If you’re selling a classic or niche vehicle, or something that has a large appeal, you might try your hand at more national sales sites like Auto Trader or eBay.

Online Instant Cash Offers or Private Party

There are various online companies that offer to buy your car with little effort on your part. Companies like Kelley Blue Book, Carvana, CarMax make selling your car pretty straightforward. You can often just enter some information about your vehicle on the appropriate website to get an instant cash offer. Of course, that offer could change if the company doesn’t see your vehicle in the same way you do, so it’s best, to be honest.

Most of these companies will come to pick up your car and offer you a check right on the spot. Keep in mind that you’re not locked into the sale until you sign over the car title, so you can back out if they offer you less or the process is more of a hassle.

Most of the time, instant cash offers aren’t as lucrative as private sales or trade-ins, but you have much less hassle. Making an easy sale can be worth a slightly lower price, but make sure you do your homework on the value of your car beforehand.

Trade-In/Dealership Sale

Just about every car dealership out there will also offer to buy your car. You can often get a real-time quote for your vehicle by filling out a form on the dealer’s website. Some dealerships can make instant offers, while others may take a little time. The benefit here is that you’re working with a real person, so it’s a little easier to discuss options.

If you’re planning on buying a new or newer used vehicle, trading your old car in can be a great way to offset the price. The real benefit here is that you don’t have to deal with the headache of a private sale nor a faceless online company that won’t budge on their offers. Instead, you can take care of selling your old car and picking out an upgraded ride in the same transactions. You also have more options on a great overall deal because you’re buying and selling at the same time.

Junk it/Donate It

If you have an older car that has issues, it might not be worth trying to sell or trade. In these cases, a local junkyard might offer you a little bit for parts. In many cases, they’ll send a tow truck out with cash in hand. You won’t make much from this transaction, but it’s an extremely easy process.

On the same note, you may find that donating your used car to a worthy charity is a great way to give it a second life. Some organizations sell your car donation to raise funds, while others may actually drive your car as part of operations. Just make sure you research the organization and how they’ll use your old car before you make the donation.