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How to Sell?

10 Ways to Sell Old Car – Get an Instant Offer Online

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Written by: Michael Becker
Last Updated:

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Quick Answer

To sell your old car for cash quickly use Peddle. You can submit an online application and receive an offer in just 2 minutes. If you agree to their price, Peddle will organize a free car collection and promptly pay you by check when they pick up the vehicle.

The cash offer from Peddle for your car will depend on various factors such as make, model, age, mileage, and condition. Generally, the payment for vehicles they purchase falls within a broad range, accommodating different states and values of cars.

Best for Older & Damaged Cars

Peddle logo

Buys used, damaged or junk cars

Free tow and no hidden fees

Pays by ACH trasfer or check

Top Pick for Junk Cars

Wheelzy logo

Free, no-obligation cash offers

Offers free paperwork service

Pays on the spot upon pick up

Highly Rated by Customers

CarBrain logo

Excellent customer service ratings

Honors guaranteed offer for 7 days

Can pick up a car within 48 hours

Great for Low-Mileage Cars

Carvana logo

Gives a real offer in 2 minutes

100% hassle-free online process

Free car’s Value Tracker available

5 Companies to Sell Old Car from Home

1. Peddle


Peddle Summary

  • Sell used, damaged or junk car nationwide
  • Free towing within 48 hours after offer
  • Receive payment upon car collection
  • Get free online quote – offer valid 7 days
  • Instant quote available on (855) 925 4302
  • No obligation to accept the offer

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.

2. Wheelzy


Wheelzy Summary

  • Service is completely free – no hidden fees
  • Get offer in minutes – (855) 510-1108
  • Free towing of your car from your location
  • Instant payment via cash or check
  • Possible to negotiate the offer
  • Available nationwide (50 states)

You can sell your old car to Wheelzy hassle free from the comfort of your home. All you need to do to sell is to fill out an online application.

To get a cash offer from Wheelzy, provide the following:

  • Car’s make and model
  • Car’s year
  • Your zip code
  • Your phone number

Wheelzy representative will contact you with a quote within two minutes, and if you are satisfied with it, you’ll need to plan the pick-up date with the Wheelzy agent.

Wheelzy will pick up your old car for free, leaving you with cash or a check.

Wheelzy buys cars in all condiotions: new, old, with body damage, engine or transmission failures, excessive damage or missing parts.

3. CarBrain


CarBrain Summary

  • Call for a free quote – (844) 407-2200
  • 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 points

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.

4. Carvana


Carvana Summary

  • Get an online quote within 2 minutes
  • Free pickup wtihin 100 miles of a hub
  • Offer valid for 7 days or 250 more miles
  • Haggle-free process to sell your car

Carvana is a well-trusted car-buying service that has been operating since 2012 and is one of the best ways to sell an old car for cash.

You can get a free cash offer in just a couple of minutes. All you need to do is to enter your car’s VIN or license plate number.

Requirements to sell a car to Carvana:

  • The car is 1992 or newer.
  • HYas no excessive damage.
  • It is in running condition.
  • Has a working odometer.

Carvana offers free car tow service from your location if it’s within 100 miles of one of their hubs. If you are located further away, you can either take the car to the Carvana hub or pay extra for pickup.

5. CarGurus


CarGurus Summary

  • Receive payment within 3 working days
  • Find out the market value of your car
  • List your car for sale in under 5 minutes
  • Up to $75,000 in protection for your sale

CarGurus offers two ways to sell your old car for cash: you can either list it on their website for $4.95 and sell to a private buyer or sell it to the CarGurus.

To get an instant cash offer, you will need to provide the car’s VIN or license plate number and describe the condition.

You can sell your old car to CarGurus if:

  • It can be safely driven.
  • The car has no excessive damage.
  • Working odometer

CarGurus will send you the best offer from their dealer network in just two minutes, and you will be able to schedule the car’s pickup from your location free of charge.

CarGurus will make a payment via check or direct deposit within two business days and will take care of all the paperwork.

2 Platforms to Sell 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.

6. 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.

7. 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:

  1. “Buy it Now” option – the buyers will purchase your car online at the fixed price that you’re offering it for.
  2. 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.
sell car to junkyard

3 Additional Ways to Sell Your Old Car

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Sell it to a Local Dealership


Local car dealerships are also a good place to visit and ask for a quote. 

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.

Pro tip: Focus on dealerships that carry your car’s brand. For example, Ford, or Toyota. 

Tips to Get the Most out of Selling Your Old Car


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:

  1. First of all, understanding your car’s condition lets you fix what needs to be fixed.
  2. 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


Paperwork Youll 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.
what paperwork do i need to sell my car privately


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Michael Becker

Dollarbreak

About the author:

Michael Becker is a car enthusiast and expert who has been working in the automotive industry for over 15 years. He started his career as a salesperson at a local dealership, where he learned the ins and outs of the car market. Then he moved on to flipping cars for a profit.

Michael has also helped many of his relatives and friends to sell their cars, using his knowledge and skills to get them the best deals. He will guide you through the process and help you avoid the common pitfalls.

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