Should I Sell My Car to KBB?
KKB, or Kelley Blue Book, is a California-based company that provides a number of services to help dealerships and individuals sell and buy cars. It conducts market research and offers data on vehicle valuation.
Those looking to buy cars can research for the best price through KBB’s services. Their website includes a Compare feature to help buyers decide between different models.
Another popular service KBB offers is the Vehicle History Report. Car buyers can easily check a car’s history to help them determine if they’re buying it for the right price.
Consequently, car sellers can easily justify their valuation by showing this report to their potential buyers.
Speaking of car selling, KBB also allows you to sell your car through its platform. With its reputation in the car industry, it’s one of the places you should consider.
Best for Older & Damaged Cars
Buys used, damaged or junk cars
Free tow and no hidden fees
Pays by ACH trasfer or check
Top Pick for Junk Cars
Free, no-obligation cash offers
Offers free paperwork service
Pays on the spot upon pick up
Highly Rated by Customers
Excellent customer service ratings
Honors guaranteed offer for 7 days
Can pick up a car within 48 hours
Great for Low-Mileage Cars
Gives a real offer in 2 minutes
100% hassle-free online process
Free car’s Value Tracker available
How to Sell Your Car to KBB?
There are two ways for you to sell your car through KBB. The first one is through an Instant Cash Offer. In this option, you’ll need to provide details about your car.
Option 1: Get an Instant Cash Offer from KBB
To start the process, visit the KBB Instant Cash Offer page on their website. Make sure to have the VIN or Vehicle Identification Number ready. Here are some ways to locate the VIN of your car:
- Inside your car’s door jamb
- Driver’s side dashboard
- Vehicle registration
- Insurance card
Suppose you still don’t have the VIN and have no means to check it. In that case, you can simply enter the license and state where your car is registered. However, by using the VIN, the Instant Cash Offer can tell you right away if your car qualifies for selling.
After providing either the VIN or license plate, KBB will ask about the car’s style and mileage. Also, you’ll need to confirm the car’s color, features and equipment, and any modifications.
The website also provides the option to upload car photos, so you can get a more accurate offer. There are also some guidelines on how to take photos. If you’re not comfortable doing these, you can proceed to the next steps.
KBB wants you to be as accurate as possible when describing the interior, exterior, and mechanical conditions of your car. Their Instant Cash Offer process even includes an interactive step where you can click a specific part of a car to describe it.
Proceed with a KBB offer
Once you confirm your car’s conditions, KBB will ask for some personal information to proceed with the offer. You can also create an account on the KBB website to track it.
The Instant Cash Offer amount will show once you complete the online steps. It will also show you how long the offer is good, usually up to seven days. There is also a list of participating dealers where you can make an appointment to redeem the offer.
Further down the Instant Cash Offer page, you’ll also find a summarized Vehicle History Report. This includes your car’s information, such as VIN, and whether it has registered:
- Multiple owners
- Accidents
- As a non-rental
Drop Your Car Off at the Dealership
Before taking your car to the dealership, make sure to prepare the following:
- Offer confirmation, either printed or on your phone
- Title or pink slip
- Leasing information
- Vehicle Registration
- Valid ID
- Keys, fobs, remotes, and manual
- Repair and maintenance records
It’s likely that you’ll close the sale during your appointment. So, make sure to remove all personal belongings in the car and arrange for a ride home.
Option 2: Sell Your Car Online
Another option to sell your car through KBB is to place an ad online. For this, you can get a full Vehicle History Report and post an ad on Autotrader’s website. This platform works with KBB.
How Much Does KBB Pay?
How much KBB pays depends on your car’s specific details. These include features and the condition of your car, like dents and mechanical features.
KBB also considers the local market demand. For example, there’s an increased demand for the type of car you’re selling and the inventory is low. In that case, your car’s value increases as more dealers are willing to buy it.
Other factors that affect cars valuation are historical trends and regional differences. To put these concepts in perspective, some cars tend to hold or increase their value in time.
Meanwhile, buyers from different regions may be willing to purchase specific vehicles. For example, a rural region might have greater demand for trucks than in urban areas, where parking spaces are small.
Additionally, the title condition may also affect your car’s valuation. To be specific, a reconstructed, salvaged, or clouded title may negatively affect your car’s value. If none of these is the case on your car, you don’t have to worry about selling it.
What Types of Cars Does KBB Buy?
Not all cars are eligible to receive an instant cash offer from KBB. In fact, just by entering the VIN alone, you can find out right away if KBB will buy your car or not. But to give you an idea, KBB considers the following when excluding cars for instant offers:
- Title issues
- Market volatility
- Lack of market data
- Unresolved recalls
- Low value due to condition or age
- Car modifications
- If the car has been in the auction within the last 45 days
How Long Does the Sell to KBB Offer Last?
The Instant Cash Offer is valid for seven days. If you missed the deadline to accept the offer, you can apply to get the offer again. However, this time, it’s possible to receive a different offer.
How Long Does it Take to Sell Your Car to KBB?
Overall, selling your car to KBB can take 48 hours at the earliest. You can receive the instant cash offer in minutes. However, you’ll need to set up an appointment with a partner dealership to redeem the offer.
Once the dealership inspects your car and confirms the valuation, you only have 24 hours to accept the offer. The dealership might recalculate the offer if the car has acquired 50 miles or the condition has changed since the inspection.
Does KBB Inspect Your Car?
KBB does not inspect your car. After providing the Instant Cash Offer, it directs you to its participating dealerships.
The dealership will then inspect your car, particularly its interior and exterior. They might also take your car for a test drive to determine its mechanical condition.
The offer might increase or decrease if the condition doesn’t confirm the information you entered online.