In the vibrant realm of Ontario's used car market, selling a vehicle can be a complex journey. However, with Autozen as your trusted companion, the process transforms into a seamless and even enjoyable experience. This guide outlines the details of privately selling a used car, trading it in with a dealer, or selling through Autozen. Choose what works best for you!
Selling a Used Car in Ontario: Your Options
There are different ways to successfully sell a car in Ontario. Let’s examine the pros and cons of each!
Selling to a Dealership
Selling your used car to a dealer can be the quickest way to get cash for your vehicle. You can often finish the transaction in one day, and you have less paperwork to worry about than if you’re selling privately. If you have a lien on your car, the dealer will be able to work with your lender and save you that hassle, as well. Finally, if your goal in selling your used car is to replace it with a different model, you can often negotiate a good deal when you have a used car to trade in.
However, you won’t get top dollar for your used car when you bring it to a dealership, as they have to be able to resell it at a profit. As well, dealers are pros at negotiating, so you may find yourself agreeing to a lower price than you were hoping for.
Selling a Used Car Privately in Ontario
You can always put up local flyers and list your car for sale on various online platforms, and find a private buyer for your used vehicle. This way, you can ask for a higher price and still save the buyer money when you eliminate the dealer as middleman.
Bear in mind that there will be more work for you when selling your car on your own. You have to manage the paperwork yourself, and deal with potential buyers, both online and in person. It can also take much longer to sell your car privately, so weigh the pros and cons of a quick sale to a dealership at a lower price versus carrying the costs associated with keeping your car longer, such as loan payments and insurance.
Selling a Used Car with Autozen
If you are in the Toronto area, you have another option for selling your car, and that’s Autozen, the online auction platform! Our network of dealers from across Canada will bid on your car, and we take care of all the paperwork for you. It’s a quick and easy solution to selling your used car in Ontario.
How to Sell a Used Car in Ontario
No matter how you decide to sell your used car, there are a few key tasks that you need to take care of first. Let’s look at what you need to do to successfully sell your used car in Ontario!
Do Your Research
Whether you go into a dealer with your used car, or list it online for a private sale, you have to know what your car is worth. Start by scrolling through listings online. You can input your make, model, and year and find out what other sellers are asking. Wander through local used car lots to get a sense of what condition buyers can expect in a used car similar to yours.
Prepare Your Car
Getting your car ready to show prospective buyers can make all the difference in the speed of sale and selling price. A clean, well-maintained car is naturally going to be more appealing.
Start by replacing worn tires, brakes, and a chipped or cracked windshield. All these issues will need to be resolved before it can pass a safety inspection. As well, spending the money on body work to fix scratches and dents can improve your chances of selling your car for a better price.
Once those things have been dealt with, turn your attention to cleaning your car up. Vacuum and shampoo the upholstery and carpets, and buff up the vinyl with a quality protectant. By the time you’re finished, you should have that new car smell back to entice buyers! Then, wash and polish the exterior to make it gleam. Now your car is ready to show off. Take pictures showing it from every angle.
Further Steps for Selling Your Used Car Privately in Ontario
If you’re planning to take your car to a dealership, or selling it through Autozen’s online auction platform, your work is done. However, if you want to try selling your car privately, you’ve still got more to do. Let’s look at what’s next!
Gather Your Paperwork
If you are selling your car privately in Ontario, you are required to purchase a Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP) from Service Ontario. It’s only $20, and provides interested buyers with all the essential information about your car, including if there are liens on the vehicle. You will also need your vehicle registration document. Add any warranties and maintenance records that you have as well.
The buyer will need a Safety Standards Certificate when registering the car. While you are not required to provide one, it is a worthwhile investment to assure buyers that the car is in good condition, and can improve your bargaining position during negotiations.
Advertising Your Car
Create a listing for your car. Include all the details about make, model, year, and condition, and highlight any special features such as a custom sound system that will appeal to buyers. Upload those great pictures that you took. Set a reasonable asking price that gives you room to negotiate later, but isn’t too high to scare off prospective buyers.
Don't limit your listing to just one online platform; posting on multiple sites increases the pool of potential buyers. AutoTrader is a natural choice, but Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace will also let you list your car for free and have a wide audience.
Working with Buyers
If you did a good job writing your listing, you should soon start to hear from interested buyers. Respond to their messages and questions promptly and courteously, and when they express an interest in taking your car for a test drive, set up a meeting in a public location to ensure your safety. Accompany them on the test drive and answer any questions or concerns they may have. If they request a safety inspection before making a final decision, it’s probably worth the money. After all, if that buyer ends up not purchasing your used car, you will still have the certificate to show the next person.
Finishing the Sale
When negotiating a final price, be firm but reasonable. Know how low you’re willing to go and don’t compromise unless you’re comfortable. You can always walk away and wait for the next buyer to come along.
When you and the buyer have reached an agreement, ask for payment in cash or by certified check or an e-Transfer. Give the buyer the UVIP and the rest of your documents, and fill out two signed copies of the bill of sale so that you each can retain one. Detach and sign the Application for Transfer on the vehicle registration and give that to the buyer as well. Finally, remove your plates from the car and inform your insurance company that you no longer own it.
Selling Your Used Car Through Autozen
If you’re in the Toronto area, and feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of selling your car privately, consider Autozen! Once you’ve cleaned your car and gathered your paperwork, we take care of the rest. An Autozen expert will meet you wherever you want, and take your car for a test drive after giving it a thorough inspection and taking high-quality photos. Then, they add your car to our next online auction, and all you have to do is agree to the highest bid. We come and pick up your car and paperwork, and pay you the full sale price without deducting a commission. It’s that simple to sell your car using Autozen!
