Pros and Cons of Selling a Car Privately vs. to a Dealer

When you are thinking about selling your car, you have some options available to you. You can choose to sell your car to a dealer or sell it privately. Each option has pros and cons to consider before making a choice as to how to sell your car. Consider these pros and cons before selling your vehicle.

Selling Your Car Privately

Pros:

Higher Sale Price Potential

When you sell a car on your own, you can negotiate the selling price of your car. Negotiating the price allows you to get a higher price than what a dealer may offer. Buyers are more often willing to pay a higher price directly to the seller because there’s no markup or dealership involved in the price.

You Have Complete Control

When you sell your car yourself, it gives you complete control over the selling process. You can set the price and advertise the car on any platform you choose; you can also select the buyer. You can choose the buyer that meets your preferences.

Cons:

Effort and Time

When you sell your car on your own, it takes a lot of effort. You have to advertise the vehicle on your own, respond to requests, schedule test drives, and handle any paperwork associated with the sale.

Marketing

When you sell a car on your own, you need buyers to look at your vehicle. You will have to take pictures of your vehicle, write a compelling description, and negotiate the sale. You will also have to close the sale of your vehicle.

Limited Warranty

When you sell a car on your own, the car is as-is. You most likely aren’t going to offer any warranty or guarantees to the buyer. This may cause some buyers to be concerned and not want to purchase a vehicle from you.

Selling Your Car to a Dealer

Pros:

Fast and Convenient

When you sell your car to a dealer, it is often a more convenient and faster process than selling it on your own. You don’t have to worry about anything because the dealer handles all the paperwork, evaluation, and payment process, saving you time and effort.

Trade-In Options

When buying a new vehicle, you can sell your vehicle to a dealer by trading in your old car. This makes the process more straightforward, and you can negotiate the sale price of your old car and the purchase price of the new vehicle. Additionally, trading in a car may have potential tax advantages in certain areas.

Guaranteed Sale

When you sell your car to a dealer, you have a guaranteed sale. You don’t have to wait for potential buyers or deal with negotiations. Once you agree on a price with the dealer, the sale is finalized quickly.

Cons:

Limited Room for Negotiation

When you sell your car to a dealer, you have less room for negotiation when compared to selling privately. Dealerships have pricing strategies and market conditions that may limit their flexibility in adjusting the sale price.

Trade-In Value Options

When you decide to trade your car to a dealer, the trade-in value varies. Different dealerships offer their own prices. You may need to shop around to get the best trade-in offer.

If you are interested in selling your vehicle to a dealership, visit Coulter INFINITI to find out the value of your trade-in. We are proud that we can offer the best price for your vehicle.