How to Sell a Used Car

[conerstone]

I want to sale my current used car and buy a new one.

1. Better sale it privately or trade in?
2. If I sale it privately, what is legal procedure?
3. If I sale it privately, where can I advertise it other than put the on sale sign on my window?

Today, I also realize I couldn't find my Car Registration paper, is it needed for private sale? or what are stuff I need to prepare before I can sale my car?

[[H]ackerK]

I am interested to know too....

[Silv3r]

Me too. Mainly, I would like to know:

-What I need to have on me to present to a potential buyer once I put up a for sale sign on the windshield and websites such as autotrader and craigslist? What do I need to get from the buyer?

-How do I go about selling my car "as is"?

-How do I avoid being hassled later by the buyer if a half a year from now something goes on the car and they complain about it? (nothing is wrong with the car right now but it is a few years old so who knows)

-I understand there are used car dealerships that will buy your car on the spot no questions asks in Scarborough somewhere, any idea where that might be?

Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

[eastwood]

I want to sale my current used car and buy a new one.

1. Better sale it privately or trade in?

3. If I sale it privately, where can I advertise it other than put the on sale sign on my window?

Today, I also realize I couldn't find my Car Registration paper, is it needed for private sale? or what are stuff I need to prepare before I can sale my car?

You'll need the rego papers. Your province's motor vehicle department can issue you a new one for a fee. Personally, I'd take my car in for a checkup to see if there are any problems. And have them repaired or let a potential buyer know what is wrong. A good detailing will help your sale. Even if it just a quick coat of polish and wax and a vacuuming inside.

1. I think it depends on if you need the value of your old car right away and how patient you are. Trading your car is pretty quick and painless. The dealer will give you the price they are willing to use toward your new car. But most certainly that value will be much less than selling it privately. And if you sell privately then be prepared for the potential to have the car for sale for a long time and for strangers driving it around. My neighbour has had his Miata for sale almost 11 months now.

If you do trade the car in, be sure to mention you have a trade AFTER you agree to a final price at the dealer.

3. http://www.kijiji.ca and http://www.usedcanada.com

Not for cars, but I use these site for selling my old odds and ends laying around like tires, used electronics and such.

[jerryhung]

www.autotrader.ca

If you're buying a car, it MAY be better to trade in to get higher values
sometimes dealers won't buy your cars but will take them as trade in

[TheRide]

For the trade-in or private sale debate, in my opinion you should sell your car private because in MOST cases you will never get the value of your car if you trade it in compared to selling it privately. Makes sense right? The dealer has to re-sell it. Eastwood got it right though, if you do plan to do a trade in, make sure you mention you have a trade AFTER you agree to a final price at the dealer.

If you're selling your car privately then you need to purchase a Used vehicle information package from MTO or at one of those kiosks.

To be honest, ALL your answers are most likely on this website. http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/used.htm

[[H]ackerK]

I kinda agree selling to dealership always 'lose' some money. And I think it is also depends on the trade-in value. If it is pretty low, maybe private sell will get you a better deal. However if the trade-in value is high (say $7000+), maybe doing that maybe better since you don't have to deal with it yourself. Plus the saving is only a small percentage compare to a car only have $1000 trade in value (which private sale could get double the amount)

Just my thought at the moment... correct me if I am wrong

[Broli's Mom]

A seller in Ontario is only required to provide to a buyer of a motor vehicle:


Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP)
latest vehicle portion of the ownership, signed over to the buyer


There is a Bill of Sale that the buyer/seller can use as the official Bill of Sale. A new ownership can be purchased at your local Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office for $10 (just provide ID and the plate or VIN number).

I believe that's it...

[boneca]

Private is better...that's what I did...the dealership was offering me much less as a trade in. All I had to do was print a proxy form from the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec website and then my friend (who i sold my car to) went there to do the change.

Note: If you're selling to a family member or friend mark that you sold them the car at a lower price..this way they don't have to pay too much tax.

[[H]ackerK]

Well for those of you who interested to "test" out private sale of your own car.. I found a website you can list it for free and seems to be pretty good (some ads were gone in a day or two, maybe they were sold?)

www.autocatch.com

[stevelam]

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/used.htm

[bimmer009]

you can list your car for free on www.carpages.ca as well.