Car negotiation tips

How to Sell Your Car Privately (Without Getting Lowballed or Lied To)                                  

How to negotiate the best car deal!
May 29, 2025•4 min read

"Why did the car dealer cross the road? To get you a better deal on the other side!"

- Chase | Car deal dad joke writer | Not very good at it...

Week 12 – How to Sell Your Car Privately (Without Getting Lowballed or Lied To)

Welcome to Week 12 Deal Guard Nation!

You’ve learned how to buy like a boss—but now it’s time to flip the script. This week is all about selling your own car privately.

Why sell it yourself instead of trading it in?

  • You’ll usually make $1,000–$3,000 more than a trade-in.

  • You set the price.

  • You talk directly to the buyer.

But it takes more effort—and if you’re not careful, you could end up wasting time, dealing with sketchy people, or getting scammed.

Let’s break it down, step by step.

Tactic #12: How to Sell Your Car Privately (And Actually Get What It’s Worth)

Why This Matters

Most dealers lowball you on trade-ins. They make money off your car twice—once from you and again when they resell it.

Selling it yourself means you keep that resale profit. But you’ve gotta protect yourself, your time, and your money.

Step-by-Step: How to Sell Your Car to a Private Buyer

Step 1: Know What It’s Worth

Use these tools:

Compare:

  • Trade-in value

  • Private party value

  • Dealer retail (what they’d sell it for)

Price your car slightly above market value, so you have room to negotiate.

Step 2: Clean and Prep the Car Like a Pro

You’re not just selling a car—you’re selling confidence.

  • Wash, vacuum, and detail it

  • Fix cheap things (lightbulbs, wipers, air freshener)

  • Remove personal items

  • Take clear photos from every angle

  • Show clean title and maintenance records

Step 3: Write a Solid Ad

List your car on:

  • Facebook Marketplace

  • Craigslist

  • Autotrader (if higher value)

  • OfferUp

Include:

  • Year, make, model, trim, mileage

  • Maintenance history

  • Recent repairs

  • Any issues (be honest)

  • Asking price

  • Your preferred contact method

Example headline:

“2017 Honda Accord EX-L – Clean Title, Well-Maintained, Great MPG!”

Step 4: Screen Buyers Like a Boss

You’ll get a lot of:

  • Lowballers

  • Time-wasters

  • "Is this still available?" messages

Ask early:

“Are you a serious buyer? When would you like to see it?”

NEVER meet someone at your home. Choose a public place like:

  • Police station lot

  • Bank parking lot

  • Grocery store lot (daytime only)

Bring a friend if possible.

Step 5: Test Drives the Safe Way

Before handing over the keys:

  • Ask to see a valid driver’s license

  • Snap a quick pic of it (just in case)

  • Ride along during the drive

Let them:

  • Try highway and city speeds

  • Check AC, electronics, brakes

Answer questions, but don’t pressure. Let the car speak for itself.

Step 6: Finalize the Sale Legally

Here’s what you need:

  • Bill of Sale (include VIN, names, price, date)

  • Signed title transfer (check your state DMV)

  • Lien release if the car was financed

Best payment methods:

  • Cashier’s check (verify with their bank)

  • Bank transfer (meet at the bank)

Never accept:

  • Wire transfers from strangers

  • Personal checks

  • Weird payment apps

Once money clears, hand over the keys. Done!

Concierge Tip: We Help You Sell Without the Stress

Don’t want to deal with buyers, paperwork, or flaky no-shows?

We offer:

  • Pricing help

  • Ad writing & listings

  • Buyer screening

  • Paperwork prep

You still sell it—but we make it smooth, safe, and stress-free.

What to Avoid

  • Don’t take personal checks or payment apps from strangers

  • Don’t meet buyers at home alone

  • Don’t lowball yourself—price it right

  • Don’t forget the paperwork

Recap: Sell-Your-Car Smart Checklist

  1. Price your car using real market research

  2. Clean it up and take solid photos

  3. Write a strong, honest ad

  4. Screen buyers and meet in public

  5. Ride along on test drives

  6. Use safe, verified payment methods

  7. Complete legal paperwork properly

Next week, we’re diving into car loans—how they REALLY work and how to avoid overpaying by thousands in interest.

You're halfway to becoming a certified car deal ninja. Let’s keep going. 🔥

—

Want help selling your car for top dollar? Let’s do it together.
Our Deal Guard concierge service gives you the tools, guidance, and backup you need to make it fast, smooth, and safe.

Go to GETDEALGUARD.COM TO LEARN MORE

Let us deal with them for you.
Our car buying concierge service confirms every detail and protects your time, money, and sanity.

Our concierge car buying service saves you hours of stress and thousands in bad deals. Your time is valuable—let’s protect it together.

Go to GETDEALGUARD.COM TO LEARN MORE

See you soon,

Chase Jordan

#sellmycar #privatecarsale #carbuyingtips #cardealconcierge #carnegotiationstrategy #week12

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