I have decided to sell my car. What do I do now?

Need help knowing where to begin when trying to sell your car? In this article, you will discover all the information you need to assist you in making your decision. For example, how do you handle car insurance, how much is its value, and how do you get it ready for sale?

You feel it is time for you and your car to part ways. Your vehicle has provided excellent service, and you have become attached to it. Whether you are relieved to let it go or ready to say goodbye, this article will help you decide on the best ways to approach the process. Continue reading for vital information on how to sell your car, prepare your automobile for sale, and how the sale will affect your auto insurance.

What is the best way to sell my car?

You have three options, and the first two—selling it yourself or exchanging it at a dealership—are the most popular. The third option is not as popular but merits consideration—selling your vehicle to car selling website. Each choice has its benefits and drawbacks. Now let's weigh the options.

I think I should sell my car myself

The advantage of selling your car this way is that it will make you the most profit. It is the best option if you are willing to do the work. However, you must know how to advertise, research, and negotiate with people.  Because selling your car yourself is time-consuming, it might not be a suitable method if you are busy.

I think I should trade my car in at a car dealership

Trading your car at a dealership saves you the hassle of finding a buyer—no need to post ads or negotiate with strangers. The disadvantage is that the dealer often has the upper hand simply because they know more, so you might pay more for the new car.

I think I should sell my car to a Car-selling website

Once again, if you sell your car to a car-selling website, you avoid all the headaches of dealing independently. Depending on where you stay, you may take your vehicle to them for an appraisal or obtain a fast offer online.  In any case, you immediately receive a written, no-obligation offer valid for a few days. The good thing about this is you have these days to compare it with what a dealership offers, and you have a starting point for negotiations if you decide to sell to friends.

What is the value of my car?

Knowing your car's value is essential because it helps you know your asking price.  You must decide on an asking price before you sell your car or know how much you can anticipate receiving for your trade-in at the dealership.  But how do you find out the value of your vehicle?

You can take your vehicle to a dealer or a website that sells cars, such as CarMax or CarWow, for an appraisal if you prefer face-to-face interactions. Car-selling websites have a systematic approach because they purchase many vehicles annually. Therefore, you can accept their written, personalized offer and get the money instantly or think about it for a few days.

Alternatively, you can use websites that estimate the value of your car. Unfortunately, many websites offer vague estimates, and some try to connect you with dealers.

Some car-selling websites may inform you of the price they are prepared to pay for your vehicle, but this may not reflect its actual market value. You can therefore use the price as a starting point for talks with dealerships and individual purchasers even if you decide not to sell your car on these websites.

What documents do I need to sell my car?

You should always check the state's DMV website to double-check that you have all the essential papers for your car. States have different laws. However, here is a short list of documents you should acquire to assist in selling your automobile more quickly or successfully.

• Title. The car is yours if you hold the title. Just sign the deal and give it to the buyer to complete it. However, you might need to contact your bank or loan business to complete the transaction if you don't have the title.

• A valid photo ID for all owners

• Valid vehicle registration

• All the keys and fobs of the car

Additionally, provide simple facts about your car. Vehicle identification numbers, sale bills, maintenance records, and certificates will make your transactions easier. Although providing this extra information is not a legal requirement, it gives the buyer assurance about the quality of the car.

Remember that you and the buyer are responsible for certain things during and after the sale. So, once more, visit the DMV website to see the precise requirements for closing the deal.

How can I prep my car for sale?

If you plan to sell the automobile, getting it polished or cleaning it will increase its visual appeal. Furthermore, you want to think about addressing any recognized mechanical issues. 

You can remove all personal stuff if you are trading in your automobile or selling it to the car dealer, but cleaning is not required.  Most automobile buyers are more focused on long-term maintenance. Therefore, when figuring out your assessment offer, they put a lot of emphasis on the car's long-term upkeep and overall care.

What happens to my car insurance when I sell?

Many people make the mistake of canceling their auto insurance when they decide to sell their cars. Canceling your auto insurance before selling the car is a wrong move. Driving without insurance carries harsh fines and punishments.  So as long as the vehicle is in your name, keep at least the bare minimum of coverage. You are responsible for injuries or damages caused by anyone operating a car still in your name.

After you have sold your car and all papers have been signed, cancel or terminate your current auto insurance coverage as soon as possible. This is also true if you traded your old car for a new one. 

Get new auto insurance for your new vehicle. The insurance rate might change depending on the nature of your new ride. When you quote with Tennessee Auto Insurance Agency, you can customize your insurance to only pay for what you need. Click here to get a quote

Be careful some private buyers may ask that you extend your auto insurance for a few days or weeks. Do not. All claims will be rejected as soon as you transfer ownership. The buyer needs to get auto insurance. At Tennessee Auto Insurance Agency, we insure you for less.

In conclusion

If you have decided to sell your car, you can try selling it yourself, contacting a dealer, or selling it on a car-selling website. Before selling your car, you must know the value of your car. To estimate your car’s worth, try to estimate how much car-selling websites are willing to pay for your car. Additionally, ensure you have all your documents sorted out so the transaction can go smoothly.

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