DollarBreak is reader-supported, when you sign up through links on this post, we may receive compensation. Disclosure.
The content is for informational purposes only. Conduct your own research and seek advice of a licensed financial advisor. Terms.
Best Sites to Sell Old Car for Cash
Peddle
Get your free offer instantly via online form or call on (855) 925 4302
$0 fees + you don’t have to pay for towing – Peddle will take care of it
Get paid in check during the pick up for any car (damaged, junk, wrecked)
CarBrain
Get an offer within 2 minutes and sell your damaged car within 24 hours
Free vehicle towing and no fees to getting rid of your damaged car
The tow truck driver will arrive with your check (nationwide service)
Wheelzy
Quick car evaluation without the hassle – sell your car within 30 min
Choose a convenient date and time for free pick-up, as soon as next day
Get cash in hand the same day the Wheelzy agent picks up your car
3 Car Buying Services
Selling your old car to car buying services is one of the most convenient ways of getting rid of your car. It’s as easy as providing details about your car and waiting for their agents to arrive at your doorstep exchanging the check for your car keys, title, and car itself.
Let’s review 3 of the best car buying services that operate nationwide.
Peddle
Peddle Summary
- Sell used, damaged or junk car nationwide
- Get instant quote on (855) 925 4302
- Free towing within 48 hours after offer
- Receive payment upon car collection
Peddle is one of the best car buying services that operate throughout the United States, buying cars in any condition directly.
All you need to do to sell your car to Peddle is to submit a quick sale application providing the following information:
- Your personal and contact details
- Your car’s make, model, and year of manufacturing
- The current condition of your car
After submitting above mentioned details, the Peddle representative will contact you with the quote within minutes. No strings attached – you can either accept or decline the offer within the 7-day timeframe.
If you accept Peddle’s offer, you’ll need to schedule the pick-up with the Peddle agent. They will come and take your car (or tow it if necessary) within 48 hours.
What’s best about Peddle is that they are known for providing a fair price for old, and even junk cars.
Recent Peddle Offers
| Model | Year | Mileage | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota (Camry) | 2011 | 150,000 | $2,225 |
| Volvo (S40) | 2001 | 37000 | $430 |
| Mercedes-Benz (560) | 1991 | 92000 | $1,930 |
| BMW (528) | 2008 | 126,000 | $1,140 |
| Kia (Forte) | 2010 | 145,000 | $635 |
| Honda (CR-V) | 2011 | 67000 | $2,930 |
| Ford (Explorer Sport Trac) | 2004 | 145,000 | $1,170 |
| Oldsmobile (Alero) | 2004 | 162,000 | $400 |
| Audi (A6) | 2006 | 106,000 | $530 |
CarBrain
CarBrain Summary
- Get an online offer within 2 minutes
- Get cash for your car in under 48 hours
- CarBrain buys cars in over 7 conditions
- Up to 7 days to accept CarBrain’s offer
CarBrain is also a reputable car buying company that purchases old cars in any condition (including damaged, non-running, and junk) nationwide.
Similar to Peddle, you just have to submit the online application based on which the company will evaluate your car. The CarBrain representative will contact you within minutes to give you a realistic quote for your old vehicle, which you can accept (or decline) within 7 days.
If the quote CarBrain provided is good for you and you decide to sell your old car to them, a CarBrain agent will come to your place to pick up your car, handing you the check.
It typically takes up to 48 hours for CarBrain to pick up your car, after you’ve accepted their deal.
CarMax
CarMax Summary
- Instant online offer in under 2 minutes
- Online offer is valid for up to 7 days
- 2 options for selling – online or in-store
- Get paid within 30 minutes on the spot
CarMax is one of the largest used car retailers in the United States that directly purchases used cars.
CarMax also sells cars, so if you’re planning on upgrading your car, you might find an interesting deal for you.
Once you provide the company with the details of your old car, they will appraise your car for free to give you an offer that makes sense. You’re given 7 days to accept or decline the deal.
And when you accept the offer, CarMax agents will bring you the check and pick up your car.
2 Best Sites to Sell Your Old Car Locally
In today’s world, people search for things they want to buy online. And old cars aren’t an exception.
Let’s review 2 of the best sites to sell your old car locally.
Note that you’ll need to take good quality photos of your car to include in your online listing.
1. Craigslist
Craigslist Summary
- Posts are anonymous
- Quick and easy listing in a matter of minutes
- Little to no seller fees, most auctions are free
- Sell within your local area
Craigslist is one of the largest marketplaces that is used for selling and buying used stuff, including vehicles locally.
What’s best about Craigslist is that it’s free and extremely easy to place your car advertisement. Plus, they don’t charge you even after your car sells.
Selling your car with Craigslist you’re free to meet the buyer in-person, negotiate the deal and accept cash payment, or any other method that you prefer.
However, the biggest disadvantage of Craigslist is that they don’t filter the users. And since anyone can find your car advertisement, there’s a risk of encountering fraudulent buyers or scammers.
Make sure you take safety precautions and sell your car only following your state’s legal procedures to avoid any trouble.
2. eBay Motors
eBay Motors Summary
- Sell 20+ types of vehicle and car parts
- Low listing fees starting from just $19
- List a car for sale in under 10 minutes
- 2 selling options – fixed price or auction
eBay Motors is a specified platform eBay offers to sell your old car to its large number of engaged buyers.
To your convenience, eBay Motors offers 2 options to sell your old car:
- “Buy it Now” option – the buyers will purchase your car online at the fixed price that you’re offering it for.
- Auction option – allows buyers to place bids. This option lets you get an even better price for your old car because there might be people out there willing to pay more than you are offering.
Other Ways to Sell Your Old Car
1 – Park it with a “For Sale” Sign
Do you live on a busy street, where there’s typically high traffic volume? Then it’s a good idea to park your old car at the end of the driveway with a “for sale” sign on the window.
This way, you’ll attract attention in your neighborhood. Plus, potential buyers will see the car “in-person”.
Make sure the sign has your mobile number for potential buyers to contact you.
2 – Sell it Privately to a Friend
Another way to sell your car quickly is to offer it to your friend, coworker, or any acquaintance you may know is looking for a car to buy.
This way, no advertising is needed, especially if it’s a friend who’s familiar with the vehicle already.
3 – Sell it to a Local Dealership
Local car dealerships are also a good place to visit and ask for a quote.
Pro tip: Focus on dealerships that carry your car’s brand. For example, Ford, or Toyota.
The only downside of selling your car to a dealership is that they don’t usually provide good quotes. It’s known that you can get more money if you sell your car privately, or to car buying services.
3 Pro Tips to Get the Most out of Selling Your Old Car
1. Get Your Car Inspected & Fix What You Can
When you’re trying to sell your old car, it’s always a good idea to get it inspected by a professional.
In fact, there are 2 reasons why you should get your car inspected in the first place:
- First of all, understanding your car’s condition lets you fix what needs to be fixed.
- However, you might not want to do some major fixes since they are associated with higher expenses. In this case, understanding your car’s exact condition will help you negotiate the realistic price for your vehicle.
2. Be Honest About Your Car’s Condition
No matter what your car’s condition is, make sure you stay honest about it. Let the buyer know if the car has any issues.
Some buyers will even pay to get your old car inspected before they purchase it and if your description doesn’t align with its current condition, you may lose the buyer.
There are many people out there who either make money or a hobby out of rebuilding cars, so don’t worry if your car isn’t in the best condition.
Being honest will only save you time because if you state the car’s condition right away, only the people who are okay purchasing such a car will contact you.
3. Clean Your Car Inside Out
Your old car may be in perfect condition but still not attract buyers if it doesn’t look at its best. Ask yourself this, would a dirty car that has a total mess inside attract you?
As a rule of thumb, the cleaner the car looks, the more appealing it is to the buyers.
So cleaning your car’s exterior, as well as vacuuming the interior is actually the crucial step you need to take before even taking your car’s photos.
Additionally, it’s also a good idea to depersonalize your car before you show it to a potential buyer. It’s because you want buyers to imagine themselves having your car. And since everyone has different preferences, it’s better to get your car looking neutral.
Depersonalizing a car means removing any add-ons, including bumper stickers, interior accessories, air freshener, etc.
Paperwork You’ll Need to Sell Your Old Car
Whether you’re selling your old car privately, or to a dealership, you’ll need the following documents:
- Your state identification.
- Current registration.
- Vehicle title – if you’ve lost it, you can take a duplicate at your local DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles).
- Vehicle title transfer notice – that frees you from being liable for the car after the sale.
- Bill of sale.
However, each state has its law for selling your car locally and may require slightly different paperwork.
