So much is bought and sold online these days. The online car buying market value was estimated at around US $259 Billion in 2021 and it’s likely to keep growing. But what about the best place to sell my car online? Is it a good option? Ultimately, if you can find a website or app that streamlines the process and gets you top dollar for your car with minimal fees, you’re in good shape.
So, where is the best place to sell your car online? Let’s take a look at some options.
There are several reputable online platforms where you can sell your car. The best platform for you may depend on factors such as your location, the type of car you’re selling, and how much support you prefer. Here are some popular options:
1. CarSolve
CarSolve, a revolutionary online car selling platform, connects car owners with dealerships to facilitate seamless transactions. CarSolve makes it easy (and profitable) to sell your used car by eliminating haggling and providing a platform where dealers compete in a bidding war to ensure that you get the maximum price possible for your vehicle. CarSolve offers a free current vehicle valuation, vehicle history report, estimated auction selling price, and factory window sticker – even if you don’t choose to list your vehicle with them
Simply upload your vehicle information to the CarSolve Appraisal Form, answer a couple of simple questions, and work with a CarSolve agent to determine your ideal vehicle sale price. CarSolve agents walk customers through each step of the process to ensure they secure the highest bid and get them connected with the winning dealership for vehicle drop off.
List your car with CarSolve for less than $50 but you only pay if they get you the most money on your vehicle. Once an offer is accepted, sellers pay a fee of $249.
2. Autotrader
Autotrader is a well-established online marketplace for buying and selling new and used cars. This is a self-service site that allows sellers to create detailed listings with photos and provides a wide reach to potential buyers.
Autotrader has tools to help sellers determine a competitive and fair market value for their car so the seller can make an informed choice on their asking price. Sellers need to manage any inquiries that come in about their vehicle as well as any negotiations.
Sellers pay an initial listing fee of $49. When the vehicle sells, a service charge of $99 or 0.99% (whichever is greater) of the final transaction amount is due.
3. Cars.com
Similar to Autotrader, Cars.com is another widely used platform that connects buyers and sellers. It offers various tools to help sellers create an appealing listing and reach a broad audience, while providing guidance on setting a competitive and fair market value for their car. Sellers need to manage any inquiries that come in about their vehicle as well as any negotiations.
There are no costs or hidden fees to selling a car yourself on Cars.com.
4. eBay Motors
eBay Motors is a popular online auction and shopping website where you can list your car for sale. It provides a platform for both auctions and fixed-price listings. Sellers navigate to the eBay Motors section of the website (ebay.com/motors), create their listing, and then determine the starting bid or set a fixed price for their car. Sellers can also choose to include a “Buy It Now” option if they want to offer a straightforward purchasing option.
It’s important to note that eBay Motors doesn’t handle the financial transaction directly. Sellers and buyers need to coordinate payment independently.
Sellers are offered a package of features for an all-inclusive fee. All sellers have three listing package options to choose from (Basic $19, Plus $49, and Premium $79) and can select either auction or fixed price format for their listing. When a vehicle is listed with a deposit requirement, sellers pay a deposit processing fee of 2.8% of the deposit amount when the vehicle sells.
5. Craigslist
Craigslist is a local classifieds website that can be a good option for selling cars, especially if the seller prefers to deal with local buyers. Craigslist is kind of the “old school” option and offers a relatively simple process. Sellers need to research the market value of their car to set a competitive and realistic price and create a detailed listing that appeals to buyers. Sellers handle their own communication, negotiation, and payment collection.
Be cautious and take necessary safety measures when using Craigslist, as there is an abundance of scammers out there. Familiarize yourself with local regulations regarding vehicle transfers and sales to ensure you complete all necessary paperwork correctly.
Craigslist charges only $5 for “by-owner” car ads for a 30-day listing. Sellers pay $5 to renew the listing for another 30 days.
Facebook Marketplace has become a popular platform for buying and selling various items, including cars. You can reach a local audience and communicate with potential buyers through Facebook Messenger. When logged in, navigate to the marketplace section and create your listing.
Sellers need to research the market value of their car to set a competitive and realistic price and create a detailed listing that appeals to buyers. Sellers handle communication, negotiation, and collecting payment themselves.
Keep in mind that Facebook Marketplace is a local platform, and transactions are typically conducted in person. Be cautious of potential scams, meet in safe locations, and follow best practices for selling a car privately. Familiarize yourself with local regulations regarding vehicle transfers and sales to ensure you complete all necessary paperwork correctly.
There is no fee to sell your car on Facebook Marketplace.
7. CarGurus
CarGurus is known for its transparency in pricing. Sellers are required to create an account and login before navigating to the “Sell My Car” option on the CarGurus website. They provide vehicle details and can make use of the site’s tools to help determine a fair market value for their car. Then, sellers can list their car for the price they select but must handle communication, negotiation, and collecting payment themselves.
It costs $4.95 to list a car on CarGurus. Listings are valid for 30 days and can be renewed at no additional cost. Depending on where you live and if your deal rating is fair, good or great, you can pay $19.99 for a featured listing every two weeks that gets priority positioning.
8. TrueCar
TrueCar is a platform that provides pricing information to buyers and allows sellers to connect with thousands of certified dealers who can pay sellers directly for their car. Buyers often use TrueCar to compare prices and are promised transparency in their car’s valuation. Sellers receive a check directly from a certified dealer once an offer is secured.
Sellers do not pay any fees for selling their car on TrueCar. Instead, fees are collected from certified dealers or from automobile manufacturers and/or third-party service providers.
9. Shift
Shift offers to handle the entire selling process for sellers, from inspection to paperwork. Sellers enter information about their car online and based on this information, Shift provides a preliminary offer for the car. This offer is subject to an in-person inspection and verification of the details the seller provided. Once an offer is accepted, Shift pays sellers directly for their car and then the seller hands the keys over to a Shift representative.
Sellers pay an 8% service fee to sell their car on Shift.
We recommend doing your research before choosing an online option for selling your used vehicle to ensure you get the best service and ultimately, the best price. Remember to provide accurate information about your car, include clear photos, and be honest about its condition to attract serious buyers. Additionally, be cautious of potential scams and prioritize safety when meeting with buyers.
10. Specialized Buyers
Some businesses specialize in buying specific types of cars, such as high-end luxury cars, classic cars, or electric vehicles. Research if there are any of these types of buyers interested in your car type.
Before settling on a method, it’s important to research the value of your car, understand its condition, and obtain multiple quotes to ensure you’re getting a fair price*. It can be confusing to find the best places that will buy my car, but CarSolve can help. Additionally, consider factors like convenience, time constraints, and the effort you’re willing to put into the selling process.
*CarSolve provides a free current vehicle valuation, vehicle history report, estimated auction selling price, and factory window sticker – even if you don’t choose to list your vehicle with them.
Want to sell your car for what it’s really worth? Start a dealership bidding war and get up to 20% MORE for your car! Upload your vehicle information to the CarSolve Appraisal Form, answer a couple of simple questions, and work with a CarSolve Agent to determine your ideal vehicle sell price.
From there, we’ll run an AutoCheck Vehicle History Report and Market Value Analysis powered by Max Digital so that we can accurately represent your vehicle to our network of certified buyers.
All that’s left is to log in to the CarSolve App and watch the bids come in on your vehicle in real time. You have the ability to accept the current high offer at any point throughout the sale. The power is in your hands. Once your vehicle receives the highest offer, we lock in the price between you and the dealer. Then, we connect both parties, and all you have to do is drive your vehicle to the winning dealer and collect your check!
If you are a business owner in the area and are interested in partnering with us, or a potential customer looking to sell your vehicle for the most money, give us a call at (360) 718-7424 today.
Click the button below to get your free Instant Cash Offer and see how CarSolve will get you more money for your vehicle.
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