How do you sell a car? Advice from anyone who has.

[BKLounger]

Well my g/f has decided she wants to sell her car, but we have no idea where to start. We know that she will get more money if she sells to a private party rather than to a dealer (maybe ebay or craigslist?). Are there any certain forms that both the seller and the buyer need to fill out? Also is there any type of form or document she needs to include. Like if 6 months down the line something happens with the car she doesn't want the buyer to be able to come back and say it was her fault or anything. Any help or knowledge from people have any experience is appreciated.

 

[krunchykrome]

Im curious as to know the little details as well.

 

[FoBoT]

http://www.autotrader.com/research/research.jsp?restype=sell

 

[fbrdphreak]

I sold my car on Craig's List and here is what I had to do:

*Get title
*Sign title over to buyer and have it notarized
*New title gets sent to buyer I believe
*Draw up a simple document saying that you are selling such&such car in AS IS CONDITION NO WARRANTY and put a place for you, the buyer, and a witness to sign
*If they're paying cash, bring a counterfeit money pen!

My sale went very smooth and I had no problems at all.

 

[kami333]

Title and Bill of Sale?

Your state DMV should have a Bill of Sale you can download and print out, mine was short but covered stuff like no liens and everything disclosed to the sellers knowledge and buyer wouldn't hold seller responsible.

 

[MrBond]

When you buy a car from a private party, you're buying it "as-is" and if something goes wrong a year down the line, your girlfriend shouldn't be held responsible for it unless she wants to offer some sort of "warranty" (and I've NEVER seen this from a private seller). This might vary state-to-state, although I'm not sure if any of the "lemon laws" on the books apply to private sales. She'll have to sign the original title and write down the purchase price, then give it to the new buyer so they can get it titled in their name.

The only other piece of info she might want to get is a CarFax history report.

Since you're thinking about selling it on craigslist, be aware it's a scammers playground. Don't take a wire transfer for the payment. Verify a money order or cashiers check is legitimate before you release the car. Be wary of email offers with poor/bad english. Don't take more than the car is worth, then wire the balance to someone else. Be especially suspect of any buyer who's willing to buy the car sight unseen. Some people actually do this, but most won't.

 

[BKLounger]

Originally posted by: MrBond
When you buy a car from a private party, you're buying it "as-is" and if something goes wrong a year down the line, your girlfriend shouldn't be held responsible for it unless she wants to offer some sort of "warranty" (and I've NEVER seen this from a private seller). This might vary state-to-state, although I'm not sure if any of the "lemon laws" on the books apply to private sales. She'll have to sign the original title and write down the purchase price, then give it to the new buyer so they can get it titled in their name.

The only other piece of info she might want to get is a CarFax history report.

Since you're thinking about selling it on craigslist, be aware it's a scammers playground. Don't take a wire transfer for the payment. Verify a money order or cashiers check is legitimate before you release the car. Be wary of email offers with poor/bad english. Don't take more than the car is worth, then wire the balance to someone else. Be especially suspect of any buyer who's willing to buy the car sight unseen. Some people actually do this, but most won't.

I've sold stuff on craigslist tons of times plus i've read atot enough to know not to take western union money orders, credit card paypal, wire transfers or wooden nickels.

I am probably going to try and sell the car for about 7,000 what are pretty safe and acceptable ways to collect the money. Obviously cash is always nice but what other options are out there. Where there is little chance i would get hosed in the long run.

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: BKLounger

I've sold stuff on craigslist tons of times plus i've read atot enough to know not to take western union money orders, credit card paypal, wire transfers or wooden nickels.

I am probably going to try and sell the car for about 7,000 what are pretty safe and acceptable ways to collect the money. Obviously cash is always nice but what other options are out there. Where there is little chance i would get hosed in the long run.

Ahh good, you know what to look for scam-wise then.

Postal Money Orders are usually safe, but I think there's a maximum limit on their value. A bank check should be safe, since you could always call the bank to make sure it's legit before you release the car.