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As the months carry on and COVID-19 continues to change our daily lives, many people find themselves uncertain about what is and isn’t safe. When scientists and the 24-hour news cycle release new warnings every day, making decisions about how to accomplish even mundane tasks can feel overwhelming.
Beyond questions of personal safety, the lockdowns back in April and subsequent recession have left people across the nation struggling financially and looking for means to make money quickly. Selling your car can be a fast source of liquidity, but how can you sell your car safely during a pandemic?
Traditionally, drivers have tended toward in-person transactions for cars, even as other industries found their customers moving to online transactions in increasing numbers. However, with the pandemic necessitating changes to every aspect of how businesses operate, car buyers and sellers have found themselves rapidly adjusting to business online.
Even though it may be different than how you’ve done things in the past, selling your car online is surprisingly fast and easy. Plus, you can maximize how much money you get from your vehicle because you know you’ll be getting the greatest selection of quotes.
Selling your car through a reputable site like CarBrain is the best way to protect your health while making you money fast. All you’ll need are photos and your car’s Vehicle Identification Number (or VIN).
Step 1: Get Your Car Ready
The first step in preparing your car for an online sale is to clean it as much as possible. You’ll be receiving offers based on your own photos and description of your vehicle, so it’s important to make it look appealing. Give some extra time and attention sanitizing high contact areas such as the steering wheel, dashboard, and gear shift to offer extra protection to your buyer.
Once your car is looking good, you’ll need to take pictures. Photograph your car from plenty of angles, and make sure to record any damage. Think about what you’d like to see if you were shopping for a vehicle and keep that in mind during your photoshoot! Without test drives to help make your sale, good pictures are especially important.
If your car is damaged or you’ve recently seen a mechanic, having an inspection report of the vehicle is also a good thing to have handy at this time. Make sure you’re ready to answer questions your buyers may have about your vehicle and its accident history.
The last thing you’ll need is your VIN, which is a 17-digit combination unique to your car. It can generally be found on the driver’s side of your dashboard if you look in the windshield of your car. If you have the title to your car available or can order a copy, this is a good time to have that ready as well.
Step 2: Shopping for Quotes
Shopping for quotes has always been the toughest part of selling a car. Visiting dealerships, junkyards, or seeking out individual buyers can be time-consuming. Plus, it can be hard to be certain you’re getting your best offer unless you are very thorough in your search.
There are a staggering number of options to sell your car online, over 7 million results coming up for that search term alone! To keep you and your money safe, your best bet is to look for a site that has a well-established positive reputation and is clear about its services.
Be wary of companies that don’t offer guaranteed quotes. Some buyers will attempt to trick users by offering a quote and switching it out for a lower price at the last moment, hoping they’ll be too desperate to sell to look elsewhere!
Others will give you an offer that is only available if you agree to sell the car then and there, giving you little time to compare your options. A reputable company will guarantee your quote and give you time to think it over before completing the sale.
One of the benefits of selling a car online is that you can often skip the process of having your car appraised in person, which can help you complete the sale faster. Some online businesses can give you an offer in just a few minutes based on the details you provide. Oftentimes, all you’ll need to provide is the VIN for your car as well as photos of the vehicle.
Keep in mind that you should look out for fees when comparing your options for selling your car online. Is there an online appraisal fee? A towing fee? Who pays for transferring the title of your vehicle, if there’s a charge?
It’s a good idea to look at the complete picture when comparing quotes. An offer may seem generous on the surface, but include a lot of caveats when you start looking at the details. Paying attention to those fees could make a significant difference in what you walk away with.
Step 3: Making Your Sale
Now that you’ve gotten a quote you like from a company you trust, it’s time to complete your sale! Typically, when you sell a car online, this means scheduling a time for a tow truck driver to come by and pick up the vehicle as well as deliver payment. This should be the last step in the process.
Once you’ve arranged a pick-up time for your vehicle, all you’ll need to do is wait for your tow driver to arrive. Sanitize your keys before giving them to the driver to minimize the risk of transferring bacteria. Keys can be cleaned with sanitizer or soap and water, or electronic fobs may be wiped down with a sanitizing wipe.
You may wear a mask and/or gloves as an additional safety precaution. Meet with your driver to hand over your keys and title, and accept your payment. Congratulations! You’ve sold your car quickly, made as much as you could for your vehicle, and kept yourself safe.
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