AARP Smart Guide to Letting Go of a Vehicle

​8. Sell to a local dealer

​​If you’re looking to profit from getting rid of a vehicle, the simplest route is to visit a local used car lot. Many dealers will purchase decent used cars on the spot. Of course, ease comes at a cost. “You’ll usually make the least amount of money this way, because the dealer is going to try to get the vehicle for the lowest price they can so they can turn a profit selling the car,” Ewing says.​​

9. Sell to an online used car retailer

​Some of the larger and most reliable sites, according to Kwanten, are CarMax, Carvana and Peddle. This is “the route of least resistance,” according to Kwanten. You enter your car’s details, the site provides a quote, and a truck shows up at your house. You get a check; they take the car. Again, there are potential downsides. “You’ll get a wholesale price. It won’t be the best price, but it’s super hassle-free,” Kwanten says.​​

10. Place an online classified ad

​​Local newspaper classified ads are largely defunct. But online sites such as Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp provide similar services and draw big audiences. “You reach a lot of people in your local area who are very interested in what you’re selling,” says Kwanten. ​

These sites generally don’t charge sellers fees, and you’ll find low to midrange retail prices that are better than those offered by resellers, according to Ewing. He says they are best suited for mainstream used cars valued under $15,000 to $20,000.​

But prepare to commit a fair amount of time and effort, says Rabold. “You’re agreeing to be a used-car salesperson for a couple of weeks. You will be answering questions, and not everybody who’s asking is going to be serious, so you’re spending a lot of time trying to figure out who’s actually in the market versus not.”​​

11. List the vehicle on fan/club sites

​​Many cars have an online following, such as car clubs, social media groups or forums, says Ewing. To discover one, search online and through social media for the make, model and year of your car, along with the terms “fan club” or “owners group.” These groups typically post classifieds and draw aficionados seeking a particular make and model. This might yield a higher retail price than mass-market sites, according to Ewing. However, he adds that the audience may be smaller and less local. They may also only be interested in discussing a particular car, not in buying one.​​

12. Sell it in an online auction

​Over the past two decades, online auctions have become commonplace for selling vintage, low-mileage or collectible cars. Sites like Bring a Trailer, Cars & Bids and Hagerty Marketplace now sell tens of thousands of cars annually, with prices ranging from several thousand to several million dollars, according to Randy Nonnenberg, cofounder and president of Bring a Trailer, the largest online vintage car retailer. These sites have huge audiences of automotive enthusiasts, according to Kwanten. And the clientele is “willing to spend more money for something specific,” Ewing says.​​

Because they are passionate and knowledgeable, this audience will typically request more details, photos and videos. They’ll also ask more — and more specific — questions. That could mean extra work for you. Sellers may also have to pay a fee. But online auctions can generate high sale prices, and purchases facilitated through the site provide vetting and recourse if something goes wrong, Ewing notes.​​

13. Sell it in a live auction

While online auctions have overtaken live auctions in overall sales volume, the rarest and most valuable collectible cars still sell at flagship in-person auctions. Companies such as RM Sotheby’s, Broad Arrow Auctions and Gooding Christie’s regularly sell blue-chip vehicles at gold-plated prices to the world’s top collectors. These auction houses generally yield the highest profit margins and may offer price guarantees or lower fees to secure your consignment. But owners must pay significant fees, including shipping to the auction site, according to Kwanten. If your car is an elevated collectible, it might be worth contacting an auction house.​

Prepare Your Car For Sale

​14. Determine your vehicle’s condition

​​To set a realistic sale price, first analyze your car’s condition objectively, says Rabold. Ignore sentimental or emotional connections, he says, “because the market isn’t going to have that same sensibility.” Use the detailed “condition guides” on sites like Hagerty, Kelley Blue Book (KBB) or the National Auto Auction Association (NAAA), which range from showroom-new to average, and down to undriveable project cars. Price can vary as much as tenfold along this spectrum, according to Rabold, so careful assessment is necessary.​​

15. Determine your vehicle’s value

​​Sites such as KBB, Carfax and Edmunds will give you an idea of your (noncollectible) car’s value. You can also search active and prior listings at Autotrader or Cars.com “to see what other vehicles in similar condition to yours, based on year, make, model, mileage and options, are going for,” says Ewing. This will provide useful pricing parameters.

​​If you think your vehicle might be a collectible, Hagerty Valuation Tools are highly trusted guides based on decades of data. Bring a Trailer also archives all 250,000 listings it’s ever hosted, according to cofounder Nonnenberg. They’re searchable by year, make and model. It’s a solid source of current, detailed market guidance. “There’s a good chance that a very similar vehicle has been sold on Bring a Trailer before,” Nonnenberg says.​​

16. Hire an appraiser

​​If your car might be collectible but you’re struggling to find relevant comparative pricing, consider hiring an external evaluator. “An appraiser will do the research and be able to value your specific car — with the paint color that it has, the condition it’s in, the mileage, the options that it has,” Rabold says. Seek professionals with certification from the American Society of Appraisers. Expect to pay at least $400.​​

17. Set an asking price

​​Any price is negotiable, Kwanten says, so he recommends setting one that you are comfortable lowering. Ewing suggests “listing the car for slightly more than you’re hoping to get,” perhaps a 10 percent differential. If the car doesn’t attract interest at your asking price, Kwanten adds, it may be too high.

​Ewing says to consider the manner of sale when setting your price. For example, he says you can’t expect to receive a price as high as a dealer might get if you’re arranging a private sale as an individual.

​18. Write a description

​​Be sure to include basic details about the year, make, model, colors, options and mileage in any description of your car that you write, Kwanten says. You should also share how long you’ve owned the car, the maintenance you’ve completed and how you’ve driven it (for example, just in the summer, as a tow vehicle or mainly on the highway). If there are outstanding cosmetic or mechanical issues with the car, be transparent about them. The more information you provide, he says, “the more the buyer is going to trust you.”​​

19. Determine what’s worth fixing

​​Before a sale, replace air filters, wiper blades, tires or anything else that shows wear, Kwanten says. This demonstrates that you’ve cared for the car. He adds that it might be worthwhile to fix small dents using “paintless dent repair,” which is relatively inexpensive and can often be done in your driveway.​​

Rabold doesn’t recommend repairing major mechanical issues, because you won’t see a return on your investment. One potential exception is “anything that is preventing the car from running,” as selling such a car is obviously challenging.

20. Clean the car

​​Rabold, Ewing and Kwanten all agree that you should detail your car. “You’re going to get a better price for a clean car,” Kwanten says, because it shows care and pride in ownership. Since detailing is a physically demanding process that requires specialized tools and skills, Kwanten recommends hiring a professional. It should cost between $300 and $450. Consider “mobile detailers,” who can come right to your driveway. In addition to making the car look more compelling, Ewing says detailing removes dirt or residue that can “come across in photos as scuffs or flaws.” A detailing job “will show your car in the best light,” he says.​

21. Gather your documents

​​To complete a sale, you’ll typically need the vehicle’s title and registration, Ewing says, so have both on hand. Some collectible vehicles may have been purchased and stored without titles or registration, Iglesias notes. If you don’t have or can’t locate these documents, get replacements from your DMV before you try to sell the car.​

You should also include any maintenance records, Ewing says, “whether the work was done by a dealer, a mechanic or yourself.” If your vehicle was in an accident or restored, include documentation of that as well.​

22. Take plenty of photos

​​Rabold recommends posting up to 100 photos with your listing. For best results, take photos in a clean, indirectly lit space, not in direct sunlight. Photograph everything, Ewing says, including overall shots of the vehicle inside and out, as well as close-up pictures of the headlights, taillights, bumpers, wheels, tires, seats, instrument panel, dashboard, stereo, shifter, switches, knobs, pedals, engine, trunk, glove box and any imperfections. 

“You want to show that you have nothing to hide,” Ewing says. Kwanten, Ewing and Rabold all recommend taking photos immediately after the car is detailed. They also suggest hiring a professional — or asking a skilled friend or relative — to help.​​

23. Arrange for vehicle transport

​​After-sale transport is the buyer’s responsibility, says Kwanten. However, he notes, if you sell to someone distant, your assistance will help smooth the transaction. Ensure there’s a nearby location where the vehicle can be loaded onto a tractor-trailer. Hand it off to the driver. Provide cellphone photos of the car’s condition as it boards the truck. “That will go a long way toward reassuring your remote buyer,” Kwanten says.​​

24. Consider a broker

​​A broker can have the car cleaned and photographed, answer buyers’ questions and even handle paperwork following the sale, says Ewing. Such services may be available as a package or à la carte, so be sure to research specifics.​​

Brokers typically charge a flat fee or a percentage of the sale proceeds. Ewing notes that by mediating the sale, they can offer additional fiscal and privacy protections. “The buyer pays the broker, and the broker pays the seller, so there’s not even an exchange of personal financial information,” he says.​

Navigating the Sale

​25. Communicate with potential buyers

​​Honesty and caution are key. Many online sales platforms support private or public messaging through their forums and will mask your personal information; work through those systems if possible, Ewing says. Talk to potential buyers over the phone before meeting in person, Kwanten says, to gauge their seriousness and trustworthiness. And, to protect your privacy and safety, don’t show the car at your home or at night. “Go to a library, or park, or church parking lot, where other people are present and the car can be driven around,” Kwanten says.​​

26. Walk away from wafflers

​​A serious buyer will not waffle or waver, Ewing says. Don’t trifle with wafflers. If someone wants to view or buy the car, confirm the appointment the morning of. Before you meet to do a transaction, settle the details. “You don’t want to be haggling in the driveway,” says Kwanten. “And you don’t want someone coming to your house and saying, ‘I’m going to give you half of what you were asking.’ ” If that happens, he says, “Just walk away.”​​

27. Guarantee the transfer

​​For local sales, agree in advance on the logistical and financial details, Ewing says. Meet in a public place, and “insist on a cashier’s check or bank check.” If the buyer prefers cash, Kwanten recommends meeting at your bank to ensure your own safety. “Do not give anyone your personal banking information,” he warns.​​For a remote sale, before arranging shipping, Kwanten recommends that the buyer overnight a guaranteed check. Once received and verified, the seller can then overnight the title. Alternatively, he recommends using an escrow service.​​

28 Cancel the vehicle’s insurance

​After the sale, the car is no longer your responsibility, so be sure to cancel the vehicle’s insurance, Ewing says. If the car is still attached to your insurance and something happens after the sale, “you can be found liable.”​​

29. Take a minute to say goodbye

Cars are big purchases and are often part of our lives for extended periods. “Feeling emotional is not uncommon,” says Ewing. This can even factor into deciding how and to whom to sell your vehicle. If you have these feelings, let yourself “take the extra time to make sure you’re selling or gifting the car to someone you know will take care of it.” ​

Life After the Car: How to Get Around Without Driving

​30. Try a rideshare app

​​Apps such as Lyft or Uber can be convenient , if they’re available in your area. Download the app onto your phone, enter your secure payment information, and use it to arrange rides anywhere in the travel zone. You’ll no longer need to consider night driving, refueling, parking, traversing parking lots or drinking and driving. If you’re unfamiliar with these apps, Betz suggests asking friends or family for assistance with setup and use.​​If you’re worried that the rideshare won’t meet your standards or won’t be accessible, Betz notes that for a fee you can request a more luxurious vehicle or a ride that’s easier to get into and out of. Also, in some markets, rideshare companies offer accessible options.

Betz suggests tracking your rideshare costs each month and comparing them with the expense of keeping your vehicle. You’ll likely come out ahead using rideshares.​​

31. Look into government programs

​Olsen suggests exploring state or local programs that support mobility for older adults. For example, the state of New York provides regional “GoGo” grants that may cover rideshare trips. Free paratransit services exist for those with limited mobility. Public transportation may be discounted or subsidized for older adults. And dial-a-ride options may be available for appointments and community events. ​ ​

32. Peruse public and private options

​​Olsen also suggests exploring an expanding national program, CarTrade, created by the nonprofit ITNAmerica. Older adults who no longer use their cars can donate them to the network and earn credits for rides from the organization’s volunteers. “If your car is worth $8,000, you get $8,000 worth of ride credits,” Olsen says. You can bank credits, too. So if you’re still driving and you volunteer to take older adults who don’t drive on trips, “you earn credits while you’re driving for when you need them.”​​

33. Ask your family

If you have family members nearby who can drive, ask them for a ride. “We recognize that older adults are often worried about being a burden,” Betz says. But family members are often ready and willing to assist, and will welcome the opportunity to spend time together. If you dislike accepting favors, Betz says consider bartering for a ride with baked goods or childcare.​