Got a clunker or a barely used car in your possession?
Wondering, “Where can I sell my car for the most money“?
You are in the right place!
Sure, you can always sell car parts individual and make money that way, but if your car still has some life to give, you’d get more money if you sell it as a whole.
Regardless of the condition of your vehicle, there are many places both online and offline to sell your vehicle for cash.
Places/people buy your car because they want to save money, gift it to a teen driver on their 16th birthday, obtain scrap metal, etc.
When shopping for a used car, 68 percent of U.S. customers look for a specific make or model. (Interestingly, the color white makes up approximately 24 percent of used car sales.)
Take a look at the offline and online options below so you can make someone’s day and earn money selling your car, too.
Table of Contents
Where Can I Sell My Car for the Most Money Near Me
Use these ideas to reach local buyers.
1. Local car dealership
Car dealerships typically purchase cars in various conditions. (Of course, the better your car’s condition, the more money you’ll get from it.)
Find the closest dealership near you by typing “car dealerships near me” into your favorite search engine and call or visit the website to schedule an appointment.
2. Junkyard
This is a great option if you want to get rid of a vehicle that doesn’t work well or is falling apart.
Before you go, locate your title and search for local junkyards by entering “junkyards [insert city and state].”
Next, call said junkyard companies to obtain and compare offers, then choose the one that sounds best to you.
3. Newspaper (Digital or Print)
Digital newspaper subscriptions allow customers to receive local news happenings without waiting for a printed edition to arrive at their doorstep. (That being said, some people still enjoy print newspapers, especially older generations.)
Just pay a small fee to post an ad in the classifieds section and wait for responses from potential buyers.
4. Craigslist
Craigslist is an excellent place to post a car sales ad since it only costs owners $5 per post.
In addition, you can take part in discussion forums, read about local events in the “Community” section, and more.
5. Edmunds/CarMax
Live near a CarMax facility?
Get an offer through the Edmunds website!
All you need to do is type in your license plate number or VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and answer a few questions about your car’s condition.
Then, you’ll receive a quote. (You have a week to sell — or not sell — your car at the given offer.)
Should you agree to the offer, bring your vehicle to your local CarMax to receive a check payment.
6. Autotrader – Private Seller Exchange
Posting an ad on Autotrader is a great way to target a large customer base in your area.
Nonetheless, it costs $49 to post an ad. (However, you receive a free vehicle history report to show to potential buyers.)
Once an interested buyer contacts you, you meet at an agreed location for a test drive.
After a successful test drive, you’ll get paid via ACH, wire, or debit/credit card.
You’re probably thinking, “Is there a way I can use Autotrader to sell my car for cash today instead of waiting for someone to respond to my ad?”
Absolutely!
Autotrader also provides an Instant Cash offer option that lets you enter your car’s info, get a quote, and take it to a local participating dealer for trade-in credit or cash.
7. Webuyanycar.com
Webuyanycar.com has 187 locations throughout the following states:
- Alabama
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
Find out your car’s value by inputting your model year/make/model, VIN, or license plate number.
Then, schedule an appointment at your nearest location.
When you arrive, a branch manager will inspect and test drive your vehicle before giving you a check once you complete some paperwork.
8. Pick-and-Pull
If you have a junk car you want to get rid of quickly, consider Pick-and-Pull.
Enter your vehicle info through the hyperlinked form or contact your local store.
If you accept the offer, you’ll need to provide vital information about your vehicle, like proof of ownership and other details.
Should your car be located in Pick-and-Pull’s towing zone, an employee can come by and haul it away at no cost to you. (You could also drop your car off at your local Pick-and-Pull.)
You’ll receive a check payment afterward.
9. AutoNation
Live close to an AutoNation store?
Take your car there for quick cash or trade-in credit!
Just submit your VIN or license plate number and photos to get a certified offer.
Then, bring your vehicle to your nearest AutoNation locale so a staff member can inspect it.
Upon successful inspection, you can apply your payment to a trade-in or receive your payment via check or Zelle.
10. Pull-A-Part
Pull-A-Part will buy any junk car, even if it doesn’t run anymore.
Get a quote by scrolling to the bottom of the hyperlinked page and clicking on your local city to contact someone. (If you don’t want to talk on the phone, fill out the quote form to receive an offer via email.)
Once you agree to the quote, a tow truck driver will pick up your car, and you get paid in cash.
11. Cars.com
Cars.com offers two ways to sell your car: Instant Offer and Cars.com Marketplace.
The Instant Offer option allows you to get paid quickly by getting a quote and bringing your vehicle in to receive a check from your local dealer. (Obtain a quote by VIN, plate, or make.)
If you opt to sell your vehicle yourself through Cars.com, you’d be glad to know that it costs nothing for you to advertise on the website.
You can set your own price, plus transactions are handled by its partner Caramel. (Read more about the sales process.)
You’ll be paid via ACH, and your customer can either meet you in person to pick up the car or have it delivered.
12. TrueCar
Sell your car through TrueCar!
How?
By inputting your VIN or license plate number to obtain an instant True Cash Offer. (The offer’s good for three days.)
After you get an offer, meet with a local Certified Dealer to finalize the sale and receive a check.
Where Can I Sell My Car for the Most Money Online
Check out these sites to sell your vehicle on the Web.
13. eBay Motors
Though eBay is a marketplace for people to buy/sell cosplay, rare collectibles, and vintage goods, it also hosts a vehicle platform: eBay Motors.
eBay Motors offers three pricing packages for you to choose from:
- Basic Package – Costs $19; allows up to 20 photos; auction/fixed price duration up to seven days; vehicle selling price up to $10,000
- Plus Package – Costs $49; allows up to 30 photos; auction duration up to seven days/fixed price duration up to 30 days; vehicle selling price up to $20,000
- Premium Package – Costs $79; allows up to 40 photos; auction duration up to 10 days/fixed price duration up to 30 days; unlimited vehicle selling price
Additionally, all three packages include AutoCheck, a feature that provides vehicle history reports of your listings.
After you make a sale, you’ll receive payment via PayPal, and your customer can pick up the vehicle locally or have it shipped to them through a third-party shipping company.
14. CarBrain
CarBrain will purchase cars that are broken, inoperable, and possess other less-than-perfect qualities.
Also, the company serves patrons all over the continental U.S.
Receive an offer by typing in your zip code and entering other details about your vehicle.
If you agree to the offer, a CarBrain partner or service provider will pick up your car within one to two days, and you’ll get paid by check.
15. Carvana
With Carvana, you can sell your car or trade it in.
To begin, enter your VIN or license plate number to get a quote. (You’ll also be asked to submit vehicle information like mileage, features, overall condition, and additional documents.)
Next, choose your preferred payment method (check, direct deposit, or trade-in credit) and schedule an appointment with a Carvana representative.
You can drop your car off at a Carvana hub station, or someone can pick it up at an agreed location in most areas in the U.S. (You may be charged for the pick-up option.)
16. peddle
Peddle is based in Austin, TX, but it purchases cars in all 50 U.S. states.
Receive your instant offer by typing in your VIN and other details like your car’s condition, ownership information, and vehicle location.
Once you accept the offer and make an appointment, a driver will pick up your car for free and pay you with cash or a check.
17. Cars & Bids
Cars & Bids is similar to eBay Motors because you can run auctions on your vehicle.
With that said, it costs you nothing to sell your car on the site, plus it’s open to U.S. and Canadian residents.
Here’s how the auctioning process works:
- Enter information about your car and wait for approval.
- If approved, submit photos and other details about your vehicle, and your ad will run for a week.
- Once your car sells, you’ll get paid via cashier’s check or wire transfer.
- Your buyer can pick it up in person or contact Cars & Bids’ shipping team to deliver it.
18. Copart
There are over 200 Copart locations across North America, South America, the Middle East, and Europe.
You can start the sales process by filling out the quote form or calling 800-381-6219.
If you accept the given offer, set an appointment for vehicle pick-up.
Someone will arrive at your home within 24 to 48 hours to pick up your car and pay you with cash.
(The page I hyperlinked is for individual sellers. Go to the Business or Dealers page if you’re a business owner or dealer looking to sell cars.)
19. CarGurus
It’s quick, simple, and free to sell your vehicle through CarGurus.
First, you’ll get an instant offer by entering your VIN or license plate number as well as information about your car’s condition and mileage.
Should you agree with the offer, you’ll need to submit any documents proving ownership and then schedule a pick-up appointment.
Then, CarGurus will email or text you a link to complete a self-inspection of your vehicle.
Once everything checks out, a third-party driver will meet with you to pick up your car within a couple of days.
Receive payment by check or bank transfer.
20. Driveway
Driveway will purchase your car regardless of your location in the U.S.
Start by inputting your VIN, license plate number, or make/model to receive a quote.
If you accept the offer, you’ll be directed to a web-based app that allows you to snap photos of your vehicle and submit them for inspection.
Then, you’ll make an appointment with an agent to arrive and pick up your car.
Payment options include bank deposit and check. (If you decide on a trade-in, the payment will be applied to your new vehicle, and Driveway will deliver it to you.)
21. Wheezly
Get an instant offer for your car with Wheezly!
This company serves patrons from all over the U.S., so you can obtain an offer from the comfort of your home.
Call 855-294-0940 or click on the hyperlinked form to get a quote.
Upon approving the offer, you can schedule a pick-up appointment.
A driver will arrive within a few days to get your vehicle and pay you in cash or by check.
Selling My Car FAQ
Read these commonly asked questions about selling your car — and guarding against potential schemes.
What mistakes should I avoid when selling my car?
Some common mistakes many sellers make when selling their vehicles include providing low-quality photos, submitting incomplete paperwork, exaggerating/lying about the condition, and selling a car in poor condition. (A car in poor condition is okay if selling it to a junkyard, though.)
Ensure accuracy and honesty during the sales process to avoid delay or rejection if you’re selling your vehicle to a company or individual buyer.
What are some of the most common scams out there, and how do I protect myself?
Here’s a sample of popular car-selling scams:
- The overpayment/shipping scam: A scammer sends a fraudulent check higher than your listed asking price to supposedly cover shipping and tells you to send a portion back. (If you deposit it and send cash to the “customer,” your check will bounce and likely leave you with a negative balance in your bank account.)
- Identity theft: Someone asks for personal information like credit card or Social Security numbers in exchange for wired money.
- Offers to buy your car without looking at it first: An individual offers to purchase your car without seeing it for themselves and then mails a bad check (or wires funds) before sending someone else to pick it up in their stead.
You can protect yourself from these scams by:
- Screening prospective buyers: When communicating with them via phone or text, see if they want to rendezvous in person to test drive your car. (End the conversation if they refuse to meet with you.)
- Guarding sensitive information: Never give out your Social Security or other personal (or irrelevant) information that could make you vulnerable to identity theft.
- Trusting your intuition: If something just seems “off,” it’s likely a fraud.
- Opting to sell your car to a car-buying company: Though there’s nothing wrong with being a private seller, it poses many risks; if you’re uncomfortable taking those risks, consider selling your vehicle to a local junkyard or a company like Driveway.
Is a car appraisal required if I’m a private seller?
A car appraisal isn’t required for private used car sales.
However, it’s highly recommended to get the most bang for your buck, plus ensure you’re not overpricing your car.
I found a car value tool to help you determine your car’s value on Kelley Blue Book, a partner of Autotrader.
What is a title, and can I sell my car without it?
A title is a legal document that shows proof of car ownership.
Whether you can sell your car with or without a title depends on the business in question and state regulations. (It’s required to provide one in private sales, though.)
Nevertheless, you can obtain a duplicate title by requesting it at your local DMV.
Which brands have the best resale value?
Toyota, Subaru, Lexus, and Tesla.
Vroom! Make Money Selling Your Car
Some car owners — maybe even you — have difficulty parting with their vehicles, particularly if said vehicles carry lots of sentimental value.
But putting a used car up for sale is great for both the seller and the buyer since the buyer gets a car at a bargain price while you receive extra cash. (You could even use that money towards a new car.)
Therefore, if you’re asking yourself, “Where can I sell my car for the most money?” you can look at the leads I provided and begin selling your vehicle to an individual customer or a company eager to buy it.
