Is a Private Sale Right for You?

Car Talk Newspaper Columns

What are you required to disclose, when selling a used car?

Suggestions for selling a classic car.

How to be a good salesman

Cars.com Resources

1. Pricing Your Car: Avoid overpricing by doing some initial research. Read more.

2. Placing an Effective Ad: A well-written ad will draw buyers' attentions and can help sell the car quickly. Read more. Place and ad via cars.com. Place a free ad on Freebo.

3. Selling Your Car if You Owe Money on It: It's possible to sell a car even if you still have an outstanding loan balance on the vehicle. Read more.

4. Meeting a Buyer for a Test Drive: It may seem odd to hand your keys to a stranger, but the process should run smoothly if you follow these tips. Read more.

5. Securing Safe Payment: Whether you're dealing with a buyer in person, via email or over the telephone, always be careful when accepting payment. Read more.

6. Finalizing the Sale: You've almost sealed the deal, but remember these last few points before you sell. Read more.

7. Consumer Resources: Check out these additional resources if you're selling your vehicle. Read more.

Other Resources

1. Best and Worst Resale Values: Find out which vehicles retain the most value.

2. Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles: Find out how used-car certification works.

3. How to Buy a Used Car: Get details on what educated buyers look for in used cars.

4. Kelley Blue Book: The price guide used by the auto industry; look up the value of any used car or truck from 1984 through the present model year.

5. Negotiating With Car Dealers: Get selling tips by learning what dealers know.

6. Options: Vehicles Made to Order: Which options will add resale value to your car? And which ones should you leave at the showroom?

7. Sell It Yourself: Advertise and sell your car on Cars.com.

8. Used Cars for Sale: Search thousands of dealer and private-party listings in more than 25 metropolitan markets.

9. Automotive Lease Guide: Find residual values for all vehicles and models.

10. CarFax: Learn if your vehicle passes a Lemon Check, has been salvaged or was used as a rental car with CarFax Vehicle History Services.

11. Cars of Particular Interest Value Guide: Search values for special-interest or collectible cars.

12. Consumer Sentinel: Get advice from this international law enforcement fraud-fighting program.

13. Escrow.com: Secure your transactions with this online escrow service.

14. European Anti-Fraud Office: Get help if you're a victim of fraud in Europe.

15. Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.: Find advice on how to avoid being the victim of a scam or counterfeit check problem.

16. Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection: Contact this agency if you've been victimized by fraud.

17. Hemmings Motor News: Find values for special-interest or collectible cars.

18. National Association of Attorneys General: Find a list of all 50 state attorney general offices. Contact the consumer protection division to report fraud.

19. National Automobile Dealers Association: Find retail used-car values.

20. National Consumers League: Get tips on using escrow services online.

21. National Fraud Information Center: Find information about internet and telemarketing fraud.

22. U.S. Department of Justice: Contact the Internet Fraud Division if you've been victimized.

23. U.S. Postal Service: Use the Mail Fraud Complaint Form to report frauds committed via U.S. mail.

24. U.S. Secret Service: Get information on check and currency scams from the Counterfeit Division.