How to sell a car in four steps?

Here's the fastest way to sell your car with Edmunds. Step 1: Appraise your vehicle to determine its market value. Step 2: Get an offer for your vehicle. Step 3: Redeem the offer at participating dealerships. Step 4: Collect your check! It will take more time and more steps if you want to sell your car privately. Learn more

What paperwork do I need to sell my car?

If you're selling your vehicle to a dealership or trading it in, you will need the vehicle title, current registration and your state identification. If you're still making payments on the vehicle, make sure to bring a current statement or the account number and lender phone number. If there are two names on the title, both people will need to sign it to complete the sale. If you're selling the car privately, much of the same items are needed, but there may be other requirements such as a bill of sale or proof of smog inspection. If you have any maintenance records, they could be helpful to the new owner, so be sure to include those in the sale. Learn more

What is the best site to sell a car?

The best site to sell your car is one that strikes a balance of convenience, safety and a fair price for your vehicle. We believe the instant offer on Edmunds strikes that balance the best. All you need to do is enter the details on your vehicle to get a quick, redeemable and no-obligation cash offer. It’s good for seven days and can be redeemed at any participating dealership. Sites such as Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace will cast a wide net, but you'll spend a lot of time dealing with lowball offers and potential scammers. Learn more

How can I sell my car fast?

The fastest way to sell your car is to get an Edmunds appraisal offer, then take it to any participating dealership to complete the sale and walk away with a check in hand. If the Edmunds offer is not available in your area, you can still take it to your local franchise dealership for an appraisal, though it may take a little longer. Learn more

Where can I sell my car?

There are a number of places where you can sell your car, ranging from here on Edmunds to an online classified site such as Autotrader to a social media outlet such as Facebook Marketplace. You could also use a consignment store or trade it in at a dealership. The best place to do so depends on how quickly you want to sell, how much effort you want to put in, and how willing you are to deal with strangers. We think that the Edmunds instant offer provides a nice balance between maximizing convenience and getting a fair price. Learn more

What is the relationship between Edmunds and CarMax?

Since June 2021, Edmunds has been a wholly owned subsidiary of CarMax, Inc. To learn more about the relationship between Edmunds and CarMax, see our Visitor Agreement . Learn more

What are the qualifications to receive an offer?

Offer eligibility varies depending on the partner or dealer providing the offer. In general, factors that may affect eligibility include: vehicle year, make, and model; vehicle mileage and condition; your location and proximity to participating dealerships; and vehicle history. When you appraise your car on Edmunds, we'll let you know which offers are available for your specific vehicle. Learn more

What makes the offer on Edmunds better than offers available from Edmunds' competitors?

Edmunds has always been dedicated to delivering the best to consumers to make online car shopping easy. With Edmunds, you can receive offers from multiple partners and dealers, giving you the ability to compare and choose the right option for your vehicle. Since you do not have to provide vehicle photos or a phone number to receive an offer, our service is direct and involves significantly less hassle for you. Learn more

Do I need to buy a car from a dealer to sell one?

Unless otherwise specified, you can sell directly to one of our partners without purchasing another vehicle. Learn more

Will you match the offer I’m getting from a competitor or my local dealership?

We do not have a matching policy, but the offers you receive on Edmunds are real offers based on market data that you can use as a baseline to understand what you can expect for your vehicle. If you receive multiple offers, you can compare them to find the best value for your car. Learn more

What documentation is required when I go to redeem my offer?

Valid registration; valid state-issued photo ID for all owners; title (if not with lien holder) — all owners named on the title should be present, and a lien release may be required; all keys and remotes. Note: specific requirements may vary by dealer or offer partner. Learn more

What if I owe more on my car than the amount of my offer?

If your payoff amount is more than the offer on your car, the difference is called 'negative equity.' In some cases, it can be included in financing for your next car. Otherwise, the dealer will calculate the difference and you can pay directly. Accepted payment methods vary by dealer. Offers on Edmunds are typically good for seven days, giving you time to arrange funds. Learn more

If I wait past 7 days to redeem my offer, can I submit my information again?

You can submit your information again, but vehicles depreciate as time passes. The longer you wait to sell your car, the lower the offer you might get. Learn more

I have more questions about my offer. Who can I contact?

Email offers@edmunds.com and we’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you have about your offer. Learn more

Sell my car online

Selling your car has never been easier. Just enter your VIN or license plate number to start your online offer. Then bring in your vehicle to get your check.

See your car’s highest offer

We’ll search for real online offers for your car so you get the best value.

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