Motorists who want to sell their cars online have a lot of options these days. There are multiple apps and websites that let you sell your car online – or they at least let you start the car sales process. You could also list your vehicle on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist or one of the other similar listing services on the internet currently.

Although there are potentially some benefits to selling your vehicle yourself to a private party, there are also some significant drawbacks and risks.

What Should You Do If You Want to Sell Your Car Online?

The first thing you should do is determine which platforms you want to use to try and sell your vehicle. You don’t necessarily have to choose just one, but make sure you take posts down once you do sell your car, so you don’t continue receiving calls or inquiries about your vehicle.

Before you list it, you should calculate a fair asking price for your car, truck or SUV. You’ll want do research through Edmunds or a similar value estimator.  

Once you have a general idea of what your vehicle should be worth look up what other car sellers in your area are trying to sell the same vehicle for.

If you can’t find the exact same make and model near you, look for equivalent vehicles that are of a similar age and in similar shape. You may also want to find out how long those vehicles have been on the market. These comparisons can help you understand whether other sellers are asking too much or too little and will help you further adjust what you eventually ask for when you go to list your car online.

Once you have a general idea of what you can ask for your vehicle you should strongly consider performing minor repair jobs that will help your vehicle sell more quickly or for a better price. This includes things like replacing bald tires, fixing or replacing cracked windshields or recharging your car’s AC.

How Much Money Should I Invest in Repairs Before Selling My Car Online?

The goal is to make repairs that will more than pay for themselves. For example, if you’d like to ask $24,000 for your vehicle but a buyer wants you to knock $1,000 because of the bald front tires, it makes sense to spend the $200 or $300 to replace those tires yourself.

However, you shouldn’t make repairs that will ultimately lose you money. If there’s body damage and a repair shop say it’ll cost $3,000 to fix, it probably isn’t worth doing unless you’re positive that the investment will increase the sale price of your vehicle by at least $3,000. If you spend $3,000 on a huge repair and only recoup $1,000 when you finally sell your vehicle, you’ll have lost $2,000.

Professional detailing could be another good investment. You might spend $100 on getting professional detailing but the aesthetic improvement and better smell of your vehicle might help you negotiate a higher price. This is especially important for vehicles that might be 10 or more years old and have seen better days.

What Type of Evidence Should I Include When Listing My Car for Sale?

When car buyers are primarily making their purchasing decision based on an online listing it is important to be thorough, especially with pictures. Don’t skimp on taking pictures from every angle of your vehicle’s exterior and interior.

Transparency is important when selling your car online. Don’t try to mislead people about its quality because they’ll eventually see it in person and will either want to pay you less or won’t buy your car at all. Including lots of pictures of your car, truck or SUV when you list it online is a clear sign that you’re serious about selling and you’re being upfront about the quality of your vehicle.

Include the VIN When Listing Your Car for Sale Online

VINs are used to look up vehicle reports about accidents, titles and facts about your particular vehicle. Car buyers of all types, including DirectCarBuying.com, will want to check your VIN before purchasing your vehicle.

Why Should I Use DirectCarBuying.com to Sell My Car Online in Washington, DC or Baltimore?

DirectCarBuying.com – powered by Easterns Automotive Group – has been Virginia and Maryland’s trusted source for high quality pre-owned vehicles for more than 20 years. We’re dedicated to ensuring our customers find the right vehicle for their needs and get fair deals when they sell or trade in their cars, trucks or SUVs.

DirectCarBuying.com makes it easier than ever to sell your car online in Baltimore or Washington, DC. Follow a few simple steps and we’ll send you a cash offer in as little as three business hours. Then it’s just matter of scheduling your inspection before transferring the title and handing you cash for your car.

Get your offer now or call us at 877-927-6093 to learn more.