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Selling Your Used Car? Knowing the Market and Your Competition Is Key

Written by Bill DeBoer | Nov 16, 2014 12:00:00 PM

Pricing your used car correctly requires skill, as well as a little bit of instinct. If you price it right, it will sell quickly for the full value. If you price it wrong, you could be waiting weeks for a buyer to come along.

Your objective when selling your used car is to price it competitively. A higher listing price gives you some room for negotiation but means you’ll still end up with a desirable deal once the sale is complete. With lower priced cars, you should leave room for negotiation. 

There are many resources to help you find the best way to sell a used car. If you’re wondering “Where can I sell my used automobile?” here are some tips to help you through the process.

What Is a Fair Price for Selling My Car?

Kelley Blue Book’s website, KBB.com, is one of the best resources to determine what your car is worth. When you visit the website, click "What should I pay for a used car?" and follow the prompts. You will learn the value of your car based on auction data, market data and prices of similar cars.

In addition to consulting the Kelley Blue Book, you should evaluate your local market and determine if your car is in high demand. Family sedans with good gas mileage are usually in high demand because people need basic, low-cost transportation. Convertibles and sports cars typically see buyers during sunny and warm weather. If you attempt to sell during the winter, it could take longer. Vans and trucks people can use for work will often sell fast and for higher prices. Collector cars are difficult to price and sometimes take more time to sell. If you locate the right buyer, you will likely get a good price.

Review the Competition

Look at classified ads online. Websites, such as Craigslist, eBay Motors and Auto Trader, are good places to start. Use the advanced search to locate vehicles with the same features as yours. It is important to keep in mind the ads will only tell you asking prices and not the final sale price.

Benefits of Selling Your Used Car to a Dealer

Once you have determined a price, you should decide whether to sell privately or sell your used car to a dealer. Selling to a dealer requires a lot less time and effort than selling it yourself. When you attempt to sell it yourself, you may have to deal with buyers who don’t always follow through when they say they are interested in your car. The dealer also handles all of the paperwork so you don’t have to worry about doing anything incorrectly.