How To Sell A Car At A Dealership

One of the first steps you can take is to spruce up the interior and exterior of your vehicle. You want it to look its best before you have it appraised. You can take the following steps to ensure your vehicle is prepared:

• Wash and wax the exterior
• Vacuum the interior
• Clean windshield glass

Another option is to take your car to a detailer to make the exterior really shine. Certain cosmetic and mechanical issues are also worth getting fixed before you sell. These include paint scratches, upholstery stains, low fluid levels, or worn tires—all issues that can be handled by you or a local mechanic.

The main focus of the sale is your vehicle’s value. You can find out some value estimates using online tools. You can try out our website’s trade-in form or other trade-in websites to start getting a better idea. Although you’re not trading it in, this is still a great way to begin your research.

It’s a good idea to narrow down which dealership you’re going to sell to. Do they already carry your model in their inventory? If so, what price is it?

Looking at dealerships’ selections is also a good way to tell if they have a surplus of your model. To get a higher value, you might want to find a dealership that doesn’t have your vehicle. It’s possible they will give you a higher price so that they can carry an inventory with added variety.

With a spruced up vehicle and a dealership in mind, you’re almost ready to meet with an appraiser. There are a few documents and items that you’ll need to officially sell your vehicle. For starters, you’re going to need the vehicle’s title and registration.

Some drivers are still making loan payments on their vehicle when they decide to sell. If that applies to you, you’ll want to make sure to have all relevant loan documents.

You should also bring your vehicle’s maintenance records to indicate how much service has been done. Regular appointments bode well for a good deal.

In addition, bring your spare keys, the owner’s manual, and accessories for the vehicle. If something is not needed, you can take it back with you. However, it’s in your best interest to bring everything you can think of to get the best value for your vehicle.