How to Prep your Car for Sale to a Dealer

  1. Research Center
    2. /
  2. Car Safety Research Articles
    3. /
  3. How to Prepare your Car to Sell at a Dealer
Most new car buyers have a used car they'd like to sell or trade in. Your options are to sell it yourself to a private party or trade it in at a dealer. Selling a used car yourself can be a major time-consuming hassle, while selling your car to a dealer can be incredibly efficient. Let the Lithia Auto dealer near you handle the whole transaction with no haggle and no hassle. Here are a few reasons why selling to a dealer is the better route. 
As we all know, time is money
People sometimes try to sell their cars to private parties, even though this route includes taking photos of your car, making up an online advertisement for it, then dealing with phone calls and face-to-face meetings with prospective buyers and haggling with them over the price of your car. Then there's the process of actually getting paid for your car and not getting ripped off (it happens) and dealing with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to get all the necessary paperwork.  
  
But wait, there's more. With a sale to a private buyer, if you still owe money on the vehicle, you'll have to check with your lender to learn how to arrange the sale. You'll need to compose a Bill of Sale and "sold-as-is" document for the buyer to sign. Then you'll have to go to the DMV to fill out the paperwork required to transfer ownership in your state. You'll also have to order a vehicle history report to show prospective buyers and let your auto insurance agent know that the car is no longer yours once it sells. 

Why Sell to Lithia Auto?

When you sell your car to us, you don't have to worry about going through all the time consuming and stressful processes involved with selling to a private party. Your local Lithia Auto dealer would be happy to help you sell your car for cash or trade it in to start your next auto adventure. We are completely transparent with no tricks and no haggling. We show you exactly how we determine the value of your vehicle. Ditch the classifieds and questionable meet-ups. Our professional staff is fully vetted and ready to serve you.  

Selling or trading your car to a  Lithia Auto dealer is quick and easy. We'll handle all the details, and you may be surprised at how much your used car is worth. We're completely transparent on how we value your trade-in and we'll have you in your new dream car in no time.  Find out how much your car is worth today. Let's get started here.