Know your car’s value and find a local or online dealer who buys used cars.

Many auto buyers use a trade-in to offset the price of a new vehicle but that’s not the only way to sell a car to a dealer. Dealers also buy cars outright from folks who aren’t purchasing a new car. While this approach won’t net as money as you’d get from selling to a private party it can eliminate a lot of hassles. Here are tips to help you get the best offer when selling a car to a dealership.

Offer a clean car

First impressions count. Clean the car inside and out so a dealer can make an accurate assessment of the car’s condition. If grime obscures what they see, they’ll assume the worst. Plus, a dirty car with stained carpet and seats means more detailing costs for the dealer and their offer will reflect this.

Know the vehicle’s market value before talking to a dealer

The only way to know if an offer is fair is to research the vehicle’s value. This is as simple as using our free online tool that provides Kelley Blue Book values.

Approach a dealership who sells the same brand

Used car sales are an important segment for dealerships, and they need inventory to sell. Many offer certified pre-owned vehicles from the brands they sell new; these are the dealer where you’ll likely get the best price.

Since inventories fluctuate, call the dealership beforehand to see if they’re buying. You don’t want to waste time visiting dealers who don’t need cars at the moment.

Seek multiple offers and negotiate

You and the dealer have opposite goals: they want to pay the least, and you want to be paid the most. If the number they offer isn’t satisfactory you can negotiate. Provide a counter offer and point out why the car is worth more than the dealer’s initial offer. For example, you could highlight things like low mileage, good upkeep reflected by maintenance records, the inclusion of multiple key fobs and accessories that add value. If you can’t agree on a number that’s close to what you want, walk away.

Another avenue for finding buyers are online dealers that make instant cash offers. While their offers may be lower than a traditional dealer’s or private buyer’s, the process is convenient, fast and simple.

What if there’s a loan on the car you sell

A dealership will help handle the auto loan payoff if the price is more than what’s owed. If the car’s value is less than the loan balance you’ll need to repay the lender with cash or get a personal loan.

 

All loans subject to approval. Rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change may vary based on credit worthiness, qualifications, and collateral conditions.