Steps to Selling Your Car to a Dealership

Step 1: Gather the Paperwork

This small step is crucial to the finalization of your future transaction. Before you head to the dealer, it’s important to have all the necessary documentation with you.

Be Prepared With Paperwork

When you’re selling your car to a dealership, they’ll need several documents to complete the transaction. Due to this, make sure you have the following with you:

• Title of the car
• Vehicle history report
• Auto insurance card
• Loan payoff, if applicable

Remember—the car’s title is the most important document in this process. Basically, it establishes that you’re the legal owner of the car. Double-check that it’s with you before you start the next step.

Quick Tip!

If you have your car’s maintenance records, then bring these documents with you. By showing these records, it’ll further prove that you’ve taken good care of your car.

Step 2: Determine Your Car’s Value

With your car’s paperwork in hand, you can easily finish the second step: determining the vehicle’s value. Luckily, you can also do this from the comfort of your own home.

Kelley Blue Book

Many factors affect the overall value of your car, such as:

• Year
• Make
• Model
• Exterior color
• Condition
• Accessories

With Kelley Blue Book, it’s quick and easy to determine your vehicle’s overall value. With this online tool, plug in basic information about your car and submit the form. In a few moments, Kelley Blue Book will give you an estimation of its current worth. Print out this estimate and keep it with you.

Quick Tip!

Many dealerships have online tools, such as a vehicle value estimator, for their customers to use at their convenience. Check your dealership’s website to see if they have one for you to use! 

Step 3: Clean Your Car

You know your car is in pristine condition. Now, make it shine among the crowd by thoroughly cleaning it!

Clean Up, Clean Up

After you’ve completed the previous steps, stop by your local car wash to clean up the vehicle’s exterior. Then, it’s time to focus your time and attention to the interior of your car. After all, that’s where you’ve spent a lot of your time over the years.

• Vacuum the carpet and upholstery to get rid of any crumbs and dirt.
• Wipe down all the hard surfaces, such as the dashboard and controls.
• Remove your personal items from the glovebox, console, and trunk.

Quick Tip!

As you’re cleaning, pop open the hood and check your car’s oil level. If the engine oil is low or dirty, bring it to a service center for a quick oil change. This routine service is crucial to the car’s overall performance, so it’s a wise decision to have fresh oil in it before you sell it to a dealership.

Step 4: Dealership Evaluation

With the proper paperwork and a freshly cleaned car, you’re now ready to head to the dealership. However, which local dealership buys used cars? Our team does!

Pass the Test With Flying Colors

At our dealership, we strive to provide a seamless and transparent car-selling process. Due to this, we’ll evaluate your car’s condition alongside you.

First, we’ll inspect the exterior of your vehicle for any blemishes, such as dents or scratches. Next, we’ll shift our focus to the car’s cabin. We’ll test out the controls, infotainment system, and other features. Then, we’ll inspect the upholstery for any stains, odors, or tears.  

After our evaluation is done, we’ll offer you an estimate based on its condition and other factors. Speak with our sales specialist to land on an agreed-upon price for your vehicle.

Quick Tip!

Make sure you present the Kelley Blue Book estimate to the sales specialist. With this helpful information, they’ll be able to provide a suitable estimate for your car.

Step 5: Finalize the Transaction

Congratulations—you’re almost done! Now, there’s one final step.

Choose Your Financial Path

Once you’ve agreed on the price, it’s time to sit down with the financing experts to finalize the transaction. During this step, you’ll have two viable options:

• Receive the value of the vehicle in the form of a check.
• Apply the value of the vehicle to a new car.

This choice depends on your personal preferences. Tell the financing team about your preferences and they’ll help you choose the option that works best for you! Then, you’ll sign on the dotted line and head out with a check or new car.

Quick Tip!

Would you like to purchase a new car without a down payment? All you need to do is apply the value of your sold vehicle towards the down payment. Then, you can explore our inventory for a new car that complements your current driving lifestyle.