Selling your used car in Alberta? Let’s look at the various methods available to you. Whether you sell it to a dealership, through an online marketplace, or by using a platform like Autozen, we’ll show you the best way to get the best price with the fewest hassles.
Paperwork for Selling a Car in Alberta
There’s not a lot of paperwork required when selling a used car in Alberta, but you do need to have proof of ownership. That’s your vehicle registration, the piece of paper that usually lives in your glove compartment. You should also have a government-issued ID such as a driver’s license to prove your identity. Finally, once you’ve found a buyer and agreed on a price, you will need to complete a bill of sale. You can download one from the provincial government.
Other documentation is not mandatory, but highly recommended. You can obtain an Alberta Vehicle Information Report (VIR) from the Alberta government, which will provide registration history, odometer readings, and indicate whether there are any liens against the vehicle. A Carfax report will search for accident and damage history, any outstanding safety recalls, and regular maintenance records. You can also pay for a vehicle inspection report to show buyers. These reports can be a valuable tool to inform and persuade potential buyers when selling your used car in Alberta.
Preparing Your Car to Sell in Alberta
Once you have your paperwork in order, turn your attention to your car itself. Give it a thorough cleaning inside and out, or take it to a professional detailer to get it into tip-top shape to sell. Vacuum and shampoo the interior, and wipe down all surfaces with a product to make it look as new as possible. A good wash and polish to the exterior will do wonders for its appearance. If you have scratches and small dents, consider spending the money on getting those fixed to increase your selling price. Cracked or chipped windshields and worn-down tires should be replaced, and deal with any maintenance issues such as replacing brakes or mufflers.
Pricing Your Used Car in Alberta
Finally, before you approach any potential buyers, whether it’s online or at a dealership, you should have a good idea of how much your car is worth. You can use online calculators to find out what your make and model is worth, depending on its condition and mileage. When setting your price, take into account that most buyers will want to haggle over the price, so build yourself in some room to come down in price without selling yourself short.
Selling a Used Car to a Dealership in Alberta
If you are looking for a fast sale and are willing to settle for a somewhat lower return, consider taking your used car directly to a local dealer. Used car lots are always looking for more inventory, and then you don’t have to worry about setting up a listing and dealing with potential buyers. And if you are in the market for a new or newer car to replace your old one, you can probably negotiate a good deal on a new purchase. Dealers are also used to handling the paperwork involved in car sales, making your end of the transaction less stressful.
How to Sell Your Used Car Privately in Alberta
In this day and age, most people turn first to the Internet when researching a purchase such as a used car. Platforms such as Autotrader deal solely in vehicle sales and are an obvious fit for selling your used car, but more general online marketplaces such as Facebook and Kijiji are also a great way to get the word out to a wide audience of potential buyers. It doesn’t hurt to list your used car on all available sites for maximum exposure.
Take at least ten photos of your used car, showing all angles inside and out. Be sure to include one of the odometer, the engine, and even the open trunk. Then, write a listing that includes all of the essential information, and upload as many pictures as you’re allowed.
Once you start hearing back from interested buyers, you will have to be prepared to meet with them so that they can take a look at the car and take it for a test drive. Once you and a buyer have reached a deal, complete two copies of the bill of sale, with both of you signing each one. Give the buyer the signed section 2 of your vehicle registration. Then all you have to do is remove your plates, cancel your registration at a vehicle registry agent, and inform your insurance provider to remove the car from your coverage.
Selling Your Used Car Through Autozen
If you’re looking for as high a return as possible when selling your used car in Alberta, but don’t want to put up with the hassle of dealing with multiple interested parties messaging you for days on end, as well as arranging test drives and dealing with the associated paperwork, Autozen provides a seamless and fuss-free alternative for selling your used car.
Once you’ve cleaned your car thoroughly and taken care of any maintenance or repair issues, an Autozen expert will come to you, inspect your car and get photos, and take it for a test drive. Then, we will add your vehicle to our next online auction, where dealers from across Canada can bid on your used car. When you’ve accepted the winning bid, we come and pick up your car and give you the payment in full, without any fees deducted from your selling price. All you have to do is hand us the keys and the paperwork, and we’ll take care of everything else!
Selling a Used Car in Alberta: Summary
Whether you sell your used car to a dealer, by listing it privately on an online marketplace, or through Autozen, make sure that you’ve taken care of the essentials: get your paperwork in order and get your car into the best possible condition before offering it for sale. That way, you can maximize your profit while minimizing potential headaches along the way.
