by Andrew Rohrlich
It's never been easier to sell a car than it is today. But where do you start?
Between online classifieds, trade-in programs, and auction sites, there are more ways to sell your vehicle than ever. So how do you know which one is right for you?
Cars.com is an excellent solution for private-party sellers. With easy-to-use tools and resources, selling your car on this platform is fast and simple. Here's a guide on how to let Cars.com sell your car, from getting started to completing the sale.
An Overview of Cars.com
Cars.com is an online marketplace where private sellers can list their vehicles for sale. It's designed to be a one-stop shop for those looking to buy or sell a car.
To list your vehicle, you'll need to provide some basic information, such as the type of vehicle, year, and mileage. You'll also need to include a vehicle description, a feature list, and photos.
Once your listing is live, potential buyers can contact you directly through Cars.com's in-built messaging system or by calling you on the phone number you provide. They can also arrange to view the car with you at your convenience.
Cars.com also provides helpful features to make buying and selling easier for both parties. You can check out its step-by-step guides on topics like setting the right vehicle price, how to prepare it for sale, or how to handle the paperwork.
The Selling Process in 4 Easy Steps
Understanding how to sell on Cars.com will help you get the best price for your car and ensure everything goes smoothly. Once you've decided to list your current vehicle, there are four easy steps you need to take to complete the sale.
Do Research on Your Vehicle's Market Value
Before you list your vehicle, it's important to research its market value. This will help you determine a fair asking price and avoid undervalued or overpriced listings. Cars.com offers an online tool to estimate the value of your car, as well as a range of expert advice on setting the right price through its blog and other resources.
Other ways to find your car's market value include using a vehicle pricing guide like Kelley Blue Book (KBB) or Edmunds. You can also browse other listings on the Cars.com website to get an idea of the prices offered for similar cars.
Craft an Attractive Listing
Once you've figured out how much your car is worth, it's time to create your listing. This includes providing the necessary information about the vehicle, such as its make and model, year of manufacture, mileage, and any extras or modifications. You'll also need to include a comprehensive description of the vehicle, features and specifications, and high-quality photos.
Take your time with this step, and make sure to include all of the essential details. This will help potential buyers easily find your car and decide if it's a good fit. The better your listing is, the more likely you will get a great offer on your vehicle.
Answer All of Your Prospective Buyer's Questions
You want potential buyers to be confident and well-informed when buying from you. As such, it's important to answer any questions they may have about the vehicle or the selling process.
This could include questions about the car, such as its condition or features, or questions related to the paperwork, such as lien fees or warranties. If you don't know the answer to a question, be honest and let the buyer know that you'll need to research and get back to them.
The messaging system on Cars.com allows you to communicate directly with prospective buyers. Use this as an opportunity to provide meaningful and detailed responses that give them all the necessary information.
Finalize the Deal
Once you've found a buyer and both parties are happy with the price, it's time to finalize the deal. This involves signing a bill of sale and transferring ownership of the vehicle. The process for private party sales can vary from state to state, so check local laws and regulations.
Once the paperwork is complete, you're ready to deliver the car and collect your payment. As a private seller, you can decide the best way to handle the transaction, such as meeting in person or doing a bank transfer.
Make sure you feel safe and confident about the transaction. You can always invite a friend to join you for added security. Ask for proof of identity and never accept cashier's checks or money orders without confirmation.
Cars.com facilitates the sale process to make it as easy and stress-free as possible. They have detailed guides to help you understand the paperwork requirements in your state. There's also a fraud prevention department to protect private party Cars.com buyers and sellers from fraudulent activities.
Tips for Selling a Car on Cars.com
Need a little extra help when it comes to selling your car? Here are some tips on how to sell your car on Cars.com to make the entire process even easier:
Upload Photos That Showcase Every Aspect of The Vehicle
The better the photos you upload, the more appealing your listing will be to potential buyers. Make sure to take multiple shots to showcase the car's features and any upgrades or modifications.
To get the best photos of your vehicle, try these pro tips:
- Clean the car thoroughly inside and out
- Make sure the resolution is high
- Daytime photos are best
- Avoid using filters
- Take pictures from a variety of angles
- Include close-ups and wide shots
- Use a tripod to steady your camera
- Make sure the resolution is high
Don't Omit Any Important Details From the Description
Your listing should include as much information about the car as possible. This includes basic information, such as make, model, year, and mileage. You can also provide more detailed specs like trim level, color, and options. Finally, remember to mention any recent repairs or modifications.
A detailed and accurate description can help you get more views, increase the number of interested buyers, and ultimately boost the chances of selling your car quickly. But remember, honesty is the best policy. An accurate description will go a long way to building trust with buyers and ensuring a smooth transaction.
Provide Potential Buyers With the VIN Number
The vehicle identification number (VIN) is like a car's fingerprint and can tell you much more than its make, model, and year. It's vital information that can give potential buyers a better understanding of the car's full history.
When you include the VIN in your listing, Cars.com will automatically verify the information to ensure all details match the vehicle's features and condition. This is a crucial step to reassure buyers and guarantee their safety when making a purchase.
With the VIN, buyers can do their due diligence, such as running a vehicle history report and checking for any recalls. This can save you from unnecessary questions about the car's history and condition.
Have All of Your Important Documents in Order
Preparation is the key to a successful sale. Before you can transfer the title and officially sell the car, you must have all your documents in order. Depending on the state where you live, this might include:
- Bill of sale. This is a legal document that proves the transfer of ownership. It should include the specifics of the car and the buyer's information.
- Title or certificate of title. This document proves that you own the vehicle and can legally sell it. Provide a clean, signed title to officially transfer ownership.
- Registration documents. The buyer will need these documents to register the car with their state's motor vehicle agency and pay applicable registration fees.
- Additional documentation. Depending on the state, you may need other documents for the transaction, such as an odometer disclosure statement, emissions certificate, or lien release.
It's essential to understand the paperwork requirements in your state. You can check with your state's DMV for more information. Always keep a copy of all the documents you provide to the buyer. This will protect you and prevent any potential issues arising from the sale down the road.
Having all of the buyer and seller documents ready ahead of time will make the transaction smoother and reduce any potential delays. A quick sale can mean more money in your pocket, so it pays for Cars.com private sellers to plan ahead.
Choosing Caramel Is Choosing an Exceptional Private Party Experience
When it comes to buying and selling cars privately, Caramel makes the process seamless and secure. The website and app provide buyers and sellers with an all-in-one car checkout service that simplifies and accelerates the private party sales experience.
Caramel provides an easy-to-use link that sellers can include in their listings. Buyers click on the link to see the details and finish the checkout process with confidence, knowing that Caramel will handle all the paperwork for them.
Caramel makes buying a car from private parties safe and convenient like never before. From negotiation to delivery, Caramel offers a complete solution that covers all the steps of the car-buying process. With Caramel's comprehensive services, you can be sure of a hassle-free car-buying experience from beginning to end.
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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