Several factors can influence the price of a car, ranging from the model year to the condition and nature of the vehicle at the time of the sale. You'll need to do research to determine the right sales price for your car, so that you can provide a competitive price that falls within the range of your vehicle's worth.
Inspect your car’s exterior and interior to determine if all parts are in good shape. Check the upholstery, seat belts and windows, and ensure they are operating correctly. Test all of the parts of your car. Evaluate your car with a critical eye, as you will use this information when setting a sales price. If your car has defective parts such as cracked leather seats, subtract these costs from the sales price.
The vehicle identification number will help you check your car's history for free at Carfax. Auto Check can also help you look into your used car's history, as can the National Insurance Crime Bureau website, which will also allow you to check for any past fraud involving your vehicle.
Consider the market conditions that may impact the price of your car. For instance, if your car offers good fuel economy and the prices of fuel are high, you can set a higher price than when gas prices are low. The market value of your car will vary depending on the condition, color, mileage and region. Use Edmunds True Market Value Pricing to help you determine the value of your car. Look at other similar cars for sale in your area to get an idea of the average pricing for your car.
Use Car.com’s website pricing tool to determine the value of your car. You can also figure out the price for your car's taxes and tag fees using DMV.org's tax and tags calculator.
Enter your car's details on the Kelly Blue book and NADA Guides websites to determine how your car compares to other cars for sale that are the same make, model and year. For example, using the Kelley Blue Book website, if you are selling a 2012 Ford Escape in excellent condition, it will be among 3 percent of cars for sale in that condition, so the price will be high. If the condition is very good, it will be among 23 percent of similar cars on the market. By contrast, 54 percent of 2012 Ford Escapes on the market are in good condition, according to the website, and 18 percent are considered fair.
Check dealer pricing in your area for cars similar to yours. Again, you can use the Kelly Blue Book and NADA websites for this. Your price will be slightly lower than the dealer prices, because dealer sales have benefits of warranties and return services. You can adjust the sale price higher to allow room for negotiation.
Search classified ads on the Internet to view the prices of cars similar to yours. Auto Trader is a good source with classified ads that will help you determine the pricing range for your vehicle. Other websites with classified ads include Cars Online Free and Classified Ads.
