by Andrew Rohrlich
Autotrader is an online car marketplace specializing in new and second-hand automotive sales. Private sellers can use the platform to market and sell their current vehicles, and buyers to quickly find and purchase vehicles to their liking.
Selling and buying a car on Autotrader is simple, but first-time platform users may need more information on the process. Fortunately, this article offers a comprehensive guide on how to sell a car on Autotrader.
Why Autotrader Is a Great Place to Sell Your Car Privately
Autotrader is a great place to sell your car privately because it attracts millions of potential car buyers each month, so the chance any car you list on the site will gain traffic is high. Moreover, Autotrader has a large selection of vehicle inventory from private sellers and comprehensive research and valuation tools you can use to determine the value of your car.
Another benefit of selling a vehicle on Autotrader comes from free advertisement renewals. Although it costs $49 to put a listing on the Autotrader cars for sale section, the free advertisement renewal policy allows you to keep it up there indefinitely at no cost.
10 Steps To Selling a Car on Autotrader
While selling a car on Autotrader has its benefits, among which is simplicity, don't rush the process. Understanding the Autotrader sell car system and using it to your advantage may take time, so be patient when trying to drive traffic to your listing.
Here are the steps you can follow to sell a motor vehicle on Autotrader with more efficiency:
1. Take Time To Understand How To Navigate Autotrader
Autotrader has specific features that will help you sell your car, but you first need to know how to use them.
- Advertisement placement feature: To use this feature, you must provide pertinent information, such as your car's license plate number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This feature is beneficial because it finds your vehicle's year, make, and model and uses that information to automatically fill out details relevant to your ads, such as your car's trim, transmission, and engine.
- Advertisement renewal feature: The platform also has an advertisement renewal feature. As your ad will expire in 30 days, you can use this feature to renew it conveniently. The renewal option is beneficial because it allows you to keep your listing up on the Autotrader platform for as long as you like.
- Advertisement inventory page: Autotrader also has an advertisement inventory page. Here you can better understand how to sell a car on Autotrader by viewing how many days are left until a posted ad expires and pressing the renewal button before the expiration date.
- Car value feature: Finally, the car value feature on Autotrader is a beneficial tool because it can help you learn more about the value of your car in its current condition. To use this tool, enter your vehicle's information, such as its make, model, and mileage, and Autotrader's valuation system will generate estimates.
Be sure to explore Autotrader's features before making your private sale official, as it will help boost your sale.
2. Prepare Your Vehicle To Sell
Before advertising your car on Autotrader, consider how you can prepare it for sale. Having your vehicle detailed before putting it out on sale is a significant step you don't want to miss. When you clean your vehicle thoroughly inside out, you enhance its looks immediately, boosting the vehicle's resale value. A freshly detailed car is also more likely to appeal to more buyers.
Other modifications, such as tire replacements and feature upgrades, can generate even higher interest in your vehicle. They can boost your car's value and attract buyers because they can improve its look, functionality, and fuel efficiency. For example, an engine upgrade involving a high-performance cold air intake fitment can enhance your car's fuel economy, increasing its value and appeal.
3. Determine the Value of Your Car
Determining the correct value of a car is not always easy. Fortunately, Autotrader has a feature you can use to do this more accurately and effectively.
Click on Autotrader's 'Value My Car' tab at the top of the site's homepage. You'll land on a new page asking about vehicle-related information, such as year, make, model, mileage, features, and options/equipment. After disclosing your vehicle information, click 'Get Car Values.' Doing so will allow you to understand how to sell a car on Autotrader because you will see all the estimated values for your motor vehicle based on its condition. The condition ratings include excellent, very good, good, and fair.
4. Take Quality Photos of the Car
Once you prepare your vehicle for sale and determine its value, you can take and upload its photos to the platform. Your vehicle's photos will help you get a better deal, so ensure you use a good camera and snap high-quality photos.
Autotrader allows you to upload up to 30 photos on your listing, and you may want to take that opportunity. The more photos you upload, the higher the chances you'll attract more buyers. A prospective buyer may feel more inclined to trust you after seeing your car's exterior and interior from multiple sides and perspectives.
5. Choose the Right Selling Option on Autotrader
To begin the private sale process on Autotrader, click the 'Sell My Car' tab at the top of the site's homepage. You will get to a page where you can enter specific vehicle information, either VIN or license plate number and state, and Autotrader's system will look up your vehicle.
Once the platform finds your vehicle, you can create an account. With an active account, you can edit your ad by adding vehicle-related information and adjusting the sale price, photos, and comments. After you add and upload all the relevant information, you can purchase the place for your ad and see it go live.
6. Create an Appealing Ad With the Help of Autotrader
Understanding how to sell a car on Autotrader is not that challenging, considering the platform itself helps you with the process. With the aid of Autotrader, you can create an appealing ad in no time.
The platform thoroughly lists and defines the information that should appear in your ad. For example, in the photo section, Autotrader lists the angles in which you should take your car pictures, including the Front, Center Console, Driver's Side, Front Seats, Back Passenger's Side, Dashboard, Rear Seats, Tires, and Trunk.
Also, Autotrader offers a checklist that can aid you in identifying your car's features. This checklist includes braking and traction, comfort and convenience, wheels and tires, entertainment and instrumentation, and safety and security.
7. Find, Meet, and Verify Prospective Buyers
Once you purchase and post your ad, you should receive messages from prospective buyers and schedule an encounter. Meet buyers in person or via online video conferences to avoid common scams that often occur during car sales.
You can also ask to verify a buyer's identity via a driver's license or proof of insurance card. These documents can help you confirm you met with the right people.
8. Negotiate Price and Determine Payment
Feel free to negotiate prices with a potential buyer. Make a reasonable offer based on the estimate Autotrader's valuation tool provided you, and also be open to other proposals.
Regardless of the final selling price, be sure to accept secure forms of payment only. Cash, cashier's checks, certified money orders, and wire transfers are acceptable during private-party sales.
If you choose to accept digital payments, be sure to use an online payment transfer system that is well-regulated. You can also use an escrow service, a third-party managed system that secures a vehicle sale by receiving funds from a buyer and holding it until the delivery finishes.
9. Finalize Paperwork and Title Transfer
From what you have garnered about how to sell a car on Autotrader, you likely know that you must submit paperwork to complete the sale and transfer the title to the buyer. You can do that by visiting your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and completing a release of liability process.
Many states will require you to fill out a Release of Liability form. This form is vital because it's a legal bindings document that ensures whatever happens to or with the vehicle you sell is the buyer's responsibility. Thus, if your buyer gets into an accident or gets parking tickets, you will not be held liable for their actions. Some states attach the Release of Liability form to the bottom of the title because they need the seller and buyer to sign it before accepting a title transfer.
The title transfer process is significant because it allows you to legally transfer ownership to the buyer so that they complete the vehicle registration process. You, the private seller, release ownership of your vehicle by disclosing the vehicle history report, taking a clean title, and signing it. Your buyer takes the signed title to their DMV, informing them of the vehicle purchase. The state will then give the buyer a new title and registration.
10. Ensure Safe and Quick Deliver
Once you finish the paperwork, you can deliver the motor vehicle to the new owner. Be sure to clear out and triple-check every crevice of the automobile before delivery for any personal belongings.
If you live in the same town, city, or county as your buyer, the best way to complete the delivery process is by driving to their vicinity. Go to their locale and arrange to meet in a public location, such as a grocery store or parking lot. Be sure to plan for alternative transportation, such as a bus or ride-share service, so you can make it home once the delivery is complete.
If your buyer lives in a different state, encourage them to come to your location since driving to them could wear out the vehicle. You will want to present the car to them in the best condition possible. Your buyer can pay for a flight or train ride to your state. If your buyer does not want to travel to pick up the car, you'll need car shipping services to transport the vehicle.
Why Private Party Car Sales Are Easier and Safer Than Ever
With Caramel, you can create a link and add it to your car listing, allowing buyers to complete the checkout process in a breeze. Through this link, both you and the buyer can meet on the platform to discuss the price, perform the sale, and much more. Selling a car just got simpler and more secure with Caramel.
This article was written by Andrew Rohrlich. As a brand and product marketing expert, Andrew Rohrlich has crafted products, experiences and communications for household names like Gap and for multiple automotive technology businesses. For nearly a decade Andrew has studied automotive retail in depth from a customer point of view and aggregated the industry’s best research, thought leadership and know how to provide credible and important information to auto shoppers and sellers.
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