In the bustling province of Ontario, where vibrant cities and picturesque landscapes coexist, the process of selling a car privately can be both exciting and daunting. Navigating the intricacies of private transactions requires careful consideration. In this guide, we'll explore the ins and outs of selling cars privately in Ontario.
Selling a Car Privately in Ontario
Selling a car privately in Ontario offers several advantages, from potentially getting a better price to having more control over the transaction. If you've decided to take the plunge and sell your car privately, there are essential steps you should follow to ensure a smooth and successful experience. Let’s go through the list!
Do Market Research
When you’re selling a car privately, it’s important to know what’s happening in the used car market. Remember, your competition isn’t just other private individuals selling their cars but also used car dealerships who are pros at this.
Start by checking out the listings on online marketplaces, where you can input your car’s make, model, and year to see what’s available out there, and how much other sellers are asking. You can also use online car value estimators such as Autozen’s to find the Black Book value of your car.
Don’t stop there; head out to used car lots and see what dealers have to offer, and what condition similar cars are in. That way, you know what buyers will expect when they come to see your car!
Get Your Paperwork in Order
The first essential document for selling your car privately in Ontario is your vehicle registration, which will prove that you are the owner of your car and can legally sell it. Next, you must obtain a Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP) from Service Ontario. You input your VIN and for $20, get a complete registration history, as well as vehicle lien information. It also includes a bill of sale that you will be able to use to complete the transaction.
While you are not required to provide the buyer with a safety certificate, it’s a good idea to pay the money for this, as the buyer will need one from within the last 36 days to register the car in their name. It will also assure the buyer that your car is in good condition. Add any warranties and maintenance records to the file as well.
Get Your Car in Tip-Top Shape
Now you can turn your attention to getting your car ready to be seen by buyers. Start by dealing with issues such as scratches or dents, as well as worn tires or brakes and windshields that need replacing. If anything else was flagged in your safety inspection, spend the money to get it fixed, as otherwise, it will impact how much you can expect to sell your car for.
Only once those tasks are completed, it’s time for a deep clean, inside and out! Vacuum and shampoo the carpets and upholstery, and shine up the vinyl. Wash and polish the exterior until it shines.
Create a Compelling Listing
Once your car is looking its best, take lots of photos from every angle to use in your listing. Choose a spot that will provide a complementary backdrop, and aim for early morning or late afternoon when the angle of the sun is most flattering.
Next, craft a detailed and honest listing that highlights your car's features and provides potential buyers with all the necessary information. Mention key selling points, such as fuel efficiency, safety features, and any recent upgrades or repairs, and upload as many of those photos as possible. Set a competitive asking price.
Advertise Effectively
Utilize online platforms, social media, and local classifieds to reach a wide audience. In Ontario, free sites such as AutoTrader, Facebook Marketplace, and Kijiji are all popular with people looking for a used car to buy. It makes sense to post on all available platforms to maximize the reach of your listing.
Respond Promptly to Inquiries
Once your ad is up, you need to become an effective salesperson. Start by answering inquiries from potential buyers as promptly as possible. Provide additional information, schedule test drives, and be transparent about your car's history.
Negotiate Effectively
You’ve already done your market research and prepared your car as thoroughly as possible, so go into negotiations with the confidence that you know how much your car is worth. Your initial asking price should have some cushion so that you can come down in price without sacrificing anything. Be firm in refusing offers that are too low, and if necessary, don’t be afraid to walk away and wait for a more reasonable buyer to come along.
Completing the Deal
Payment should be in cash, or by certified check or e-Transfer. Use the bill of sale included in the UVIP, filling out two signed copies so that both you and the buyer have one.
In Ontario, ownership of a vehicle must be transferred to the new owner. Complete the back of the vehicle ownership certificate (the "seller" section) with the buyer, including the sale price and date of sale. Ensure both parties sign and date the document.
Does this all sound like a lot of work that you don’t have to invest in the selling process? Are you afraid that your car is going to languish in the listings for weeks or months without selling? Let’s consider an alternative way to sell your car, quickly and for a good price!
Selling Your Car the Autozen Way
If you’re in Toronto, you have access to a new and exciting way to sell your car, quickly and easily. With Autozen, you can let us do most of the work for you! All you have to do is prepare your car for sale, and then our experts take over. We’ll come to you and inspect and test-drive your car. Next, we add your vehicle to our next online auction, where dealers across the country bid on your car. Within a short period of time, you should have an offer to accept, and then all you have to do is hand us the keys and paperwork. We pay you right then, and don’t even deduct a fee – instead, the buyer pays us!
Fast, easy, and profitable – if you don’t want to sell your used car yourself, let Autozen take care of it for you!
