Selling privately, to a dealer or to a buying house

Many people have come to the dilemma of where to sell their car. We’ve simplified things to make it even easier for you to make a decision.

So which selling method is right for you? Well it all depends on your circumstances and how much time/ effort you want to put in – the way we see it there are 3 options.

Should I sell my car privately?
Should I sell my car through a dealer?
Should I sell my car to a buying house like Car Buyers Online

Selling my car privately

This is the first option, and usually the most common. Selling your car privately can take out a lot of the paperwork required in selling your car, but it also has a number of pitfalls.

Issues with selling privately

Time invested in writing a listing for newspaper and car sales sites
Having strangers to your house to inspect the vehicle
Trying to take good quality photos that will attract buyers
Sometimes it can take a very long time to sell your car waiting for a buyer

Selling my car to a dealer

This option is common for those buying a car from a dealer and simply trading in their old car for a discount on a new one. Although there is some convenience in this option, many dealers will try to take advantage of sellers by offering them well below market value on a trade-in or secretly marking up the cost of the new car to compensate. I once witnessed a friend of mine who was offered just $1500 on a well-maintained Subaru Liberty. He then proceeded to sell it to a buying house the next day for $5000!

Our main points about selling to a car dealer

Can be very convenient
Dealers may use trade-ins to create ambiguity in your new car purchase price
Sellers often offered way less than market-value for their cars

Selling my car to a Car Buying House

As the final option, this method has not been particularly common until recent times. Car buying houses offer you a price on the spot for buying your car and will generally buy it on the spot if both parties are in agreeance. They also offer the added benefit of often being able to get a price online through estimating tools similar to the one on the Car Buyers Online Website.

We’ve outlined the benefits of buying houses below.