Dealership vs. Online vs. Private Market-Which is the Best Way to Sell Your Car?

Are you looking to sell or trade your car? Maybe you need to get an SUV, but your sedan is in good condition, and you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck. What do you do now?

Well, when you want to sell your car, you have three main options: trade it in at a dealership, sell it on your own, or go through a third party like Carvana. How does each car selling method work? Let’s go over how each method works so you can determine which one will work best for you and your vehicle.

Three Ways to Sell or Trade Your Car

Dealership

When the time comes to sell your car and buy a new one, going to the dealership is the classic option. There’s no need to worry about the awkward phase between selling your old ride and buying a new one because it all happens under one roof—just drive in with the old car and drive out with a new one.

Pros:

• Trading at the dealership massively streamlines the process of buying your next car, as the transaction takes place in a single location.

• Dealerships allow you to negotiate the value of the car, which you can then put toward a bigger down payment.

• You’ll receive about the same value for your car as you would selling online to Carvana or CarMax.

Cons:

• Potential to make less money for your car than you would if you sold it on the private market or online.

Online

In our internet age, Carvana and similar businesses seem like an easy fix for selling an old car you no longer want. In some ways, selling online is great. After all, you don’t have to haggle over the price when you sell your vehicle. They also pick up and deliver your car for you, so you don’t have to take it anywhere. The deals are all completed online at any time of day, which is also nice.

Pros:

• Easy at-home pickup.

• Many operate 24/7, so delivery can be done on your time.

• Many offer competitive valuations.

Cons:

• You won’t make as much for your car as you would selling privately.

• No ability to negotiate your selling price.

• If you don’t already have a car lined up, you could be left stranded until you find a new one.

• Since many online retailers only deal in used cars, there may not be an option to trade in for a new model.

Selling on Your Own

It may seem like the Carvana vs. dealership debate only gives you only two options for selling your car, but there is a third option: selling it on your own. In some ways, this is the most difficult option because you have to be hyper-aware of what your car is worth versus what the buyer is willing to pay. You also have to stay alert and check that your buyers are who they say they are so you don’t get scammed. However, this can be a good option if you want to sell a very old car or if you feel confident that you don’t need any middlemen facilitating the sale.

Pros:

• Potential to get the most money for your car.

• Can be done at your leisure.

Cons:

• You’ll probably need to buy a new car before you sell your old one.

• Ownership transfer paperwork can be a pain.

• You’ll have to deal with haggling online and in-person, which is something many folks are uncomfortable with.

• Much higher potential for scams and dangerous interactions.

Sell Your Used Car in Florida and Alabama

If you’re looking for a place where you can sell your used car , Step One Auto Group has you covered. We have locations all around the Panhandle, including Pensacola, Niceville, and Crestview. We make selling your car easy, even if you’re not trading in for a new one. We can also help you get the best price for your used car and navigate the entire process. Contact us online to find the closest location to you.