So you’re thinking about selling your car on Facebook Marketplace? Excellent choice, you think? There's nothing quite like the thrill of dealing with tire kickers, lowballers, and people who ghost you after saying "I'm on my way."
But before you dive headfirst into the wild world of online car selling, let's make sure you’re actually ready to get some bites. and not just from people asking if you’ll trade your Honda Civic for a PlayStation 4 and a guinea pig.
Here’s your no-nonsense (but slightly snarky) checklist for selling your car like a pro.
1. Clean It Like You’re Trying to Impress Your Mother
This should go without saying, but sadly, it doesn’t. A clean car sells faster. Period. Vacuum the crumbs from under the seats (yes, even those stale fries), wipe down the dash, and for heaven's sake, clean the windows. You want your car to sparkle, not scream "I live in here."
2. Say Goodbye to Stickers and Sentimentality
Your “Coexist” bumper sticker? Love the message, but let it go. The “Baby on Board” sign when your baby is now 12? Yeah, time to retire it. Remove all personal items, stickers, and mysterious trinkets from the console. Buyers want to imagine their life in the car, not yours.
3. Get a Carfax. Yes, Really.
Buyers trust documentation, and a Carfax report is basically your car’s résumé. If your ride’s been responsible and well-behaved, this will prove it. If it's had... a few incidents, transparency builds trust—just don't overshare (we’ll get to that in a minute).
4. Image It Like an Influencer
Photos sell cars. But not just any photos. Take pictures with the sun at your back, not in front of your camera (unless you're going for that mysterious glare). And don’t park in front of a dumpster or your cousin’s questionable garage band setup. A nice patch of grass, trees, or even a park makes a world of difference.
5. Highlight Features, Not Flaws
List every feature and custom upgrade—heated seats, Bluetooth, aftermarket exhaust, you name it. But don’t list “repaired fender from 2019 incident.” Instead, talk about maintenance—especially if you’ve got receipts. “Well- maintained” sounds way better than “once smashed into a mailbox.”
6. Know Your Worth (and Your Car’s)
Hop onto Kelley Blue Book and J.D. Power, plug in the details, and take the average value for your car’s condition. Be honest—but not self-deprecating. Your car may not be perfect, but it’s not scrap metal either.
7. Get a Cash Offer from CarBuyerUSA.com
Why? Because they’ll give you a real number, in real time. It’s a solid benchmark to help you price competitively. Take that offer—and then list your car a bit above it. You’re aiming to make a bit more, after all.
8. Watch the Response (or Lack Thereof)
List it. Wait. See if anyone bites. If two weeks go by and all you’ve gotten is a “still available?” from a guy who never replies... Then call CarBuyerUSA.com. They'll pay you within 24 hours. Boom. Done.
Selling your car doesn’t have to be a hassle. But it does take a little prep. Follow these steps and you’ll avoid 90% of the headaches, and maybe even make more money while you’re at it. Happy selling!
