How Do I Sell a Used Car?

More than half of all cars sold each year are used cars. This is great news for anyone trying to decide what to do with their current car and wondering whether or not they can make money selling it.

The question is, how do you sell a used car? What steps do you need to take to complete the transaction and how can you get the most money for your car in its current condition?

You already know that you can buy Toyota cars and trucks, both new and used, from Universal Toyota. What you may not have known is that you can sell us your car with no obligation to roll it into a purchase.

Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out how to sell a used car.

Gather the Right Documents

Before you can sell your used car to anyone, including a car dealership, you’re going to need to compile the proper documents. The goal is to prove that you legally own the car and to establish that you understand the car’s current condition. In order to sell a car, you are required to present the car title.

We also recommend tracking down:

• service records that detail any service you’ve had done to the car, from regular oil changes to major upgrades
• original sales paperwork that states the car’s make, model, year, trim level, and any optional features like leather seats or premium infotainment technology
• the vehicle history report that states whether or not the car has been involved in accidents, amongst other things

You can contact your dealer or mechanic to track down copies of service records. You can contact your dealer to obtain a copy of the original sales paperwork. If you don’t already have your vehicle history report, services like CARFAX will come in handy, although the buyer may take it upon themselves to find this information.

Do Some Basic Maintenance

When you’re selling a house, you tend to invest in maintenance that will stabilize or increase your property value. When you’re selling a car, it’s worth doing the same.

A few minor improvements can make a big difference. For example, if you’ve got a window that won’t roll down, a loud exhaust pipe, or a few dings in the hood, you may want to have these issues taken care of. You can also replace the brakes or tires if they’re worn down.

If you want to know the true state of your car and how that might impact its current value, get a mechanic’s assessment. Otherwise, you can sell your car “as-is,” but you’ll have to sell it at a reduced price.

Make Your Car Sale-Ready

What about DIY maintenance that will make selling your car easier? We’ve got tips for that, too.

Start by removing all personal items from the car. That includes things like sunglasses, CDs, and removable GPS systems. It also includes clutter and trash.

Next, shampoo the carpets and clean the surfaces of your car, including the seats, dashboard, and windows. If possible, use material-specific supplies (ie leather cleaner for leather seats) for optimal results.

If the exterior of your car has any personalized decorations like magnets or bumper stickers, consider removing them. Then, give the car a wash to make sure that it looks its best.

Understand What Impacts Sale Price

When you sell your used car, you may be surprised to find that it isn’t worth as much as you expected. Alternatively, you can set a low sale price only to discover after the fact that it was actually worth a lot more. What impacts the sale price of a used car?

Age and mileage aren’t the only things that can cause your car’s value to go up or down. You can often get more for a car that is still under an extended warranty, has new tires and/or brakes, and has undergone regular maintenance. Cars that need a lot of maintenance or have been involved in an accident are going to sell at a much lower price.

If you plan to price your car yourself, you can use valuation tools like Kelley Blue Book or compare your car to local listings. If you’re selling your used car to a car dealership, you will likely receive an offer that isn’t quite as negotiable.

Why Sell to a Dealership?

If you want more negotiating power, you can try advertising your car to independent buyers and see if you get any takers. However, selling your used car to a car dealership comes with a lot of perks that are hard to turn down.

For starters, you don’t have to worry about the paper trail. When you’re selling to an individual, it’s your responsibility to ensure that all of the proper title transfer paperwork is filled out by both parties. When you’re selling to a dealership, that paperwork is taken care of for you.

Plus, you don’t have to worry that the sale will fall through or that the buyer won’t be able to get the financing needed to complete the transaction. Trustworthy dealerships won’t back out and will have the funds to pay you upfront.

At the end of the day, you’re going to get a fair offer and make a guaranteed sale when you work with a dealership.

Buy Toyota and Sell Toyota With Universal Toyota

Whether you’re looking to buy Toyota or sell Toyota, Universal Toyota is here for you. We sell new and used Toyota cars and trucks and Toyota parts and we buy used Toyotas with no obligations and no hassle.

If you’re ready to start talking numbers, contact us today. We look forward to getting started on your used car sale so that you can make money off of your old Toyota ASAP.