How to Sell a Car on Craigslist

If you are interested in selling your car, you may want to consider placing an ad on Craigslist. Craigslist is a free online classified service that allows you to post advertisements based on your location and the type of item for sale. With a few quick tips on creating and posting an ad, as well as some general guidelines about selling a used car, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge you need to safely and confidently sell your car on Craigslist.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:
Creating and Posting an Ad

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    Visit the Craigslist website and select your location. Craigslist allows you to post advertisements based on where you live. First, choose your country, then state, then city from the options that are listed on the website.[1]
    • If your exact city is not listed as one of the options, choose the city that is closest to you.
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    Click the “create a posting” link and select “for sale by owner.” Navigate to the classifieds section by clicking the "create a posting" link located in the top left corner of the webpage. Select "for sale by owner," then click “cars & trucks-by owner” to indicate that you are a private seller. [2]
    • This gives potential buyers an accurate idea of who they are buying a car from.
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    Choose an area from the list that is nearest to your current location. Examine the list of neighborhoods in your city to see which most accurately describes your current location. Because some cities are quite large, the neighborhood listing gives potential sellers a more refined idea about where they might need to travel to locate the item. [3]
    • Alternatively, you can visit the Craigslist forums and follow the onscreen instructions at the top right to request a new Craigslist area.
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    Give your ad a title that follows the standard format. Fill in the title box with the car’s year, followed by the make, and then the model. The title for the car ad must always list these items in this exact order. [4]
    • Always list the car’s year in a four-digit format.
    • A sample title for your car ad could read “2007 Toyota Prius” or “2010 Chevrolet Impala.”
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    List your email and the car’s price, location, and technical specifications. Follow the online prompts to list your pre-determined car price, where the vehicle is currently located, and other technical specifications about the car that a potential buyer would need to consider before making a purchase.[5]
    • You will need to list crucial technical information about your car such as the odometer reading, the kind of fuel it runs on, the kind of transmission it has, and whether it has 4, 6, or 8 cylinders.
    • List either a phone number or email address where you can be reached. Consider setting up an email address to use exclusively for your craigslist ad.
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    Take and post several attractive photos of your car to the ad. Take well-lit photos that accurately represent your car’s appearance so that buyers have a good idea of what your car looks like. Ads without photos are typically confused for spam.[6]
    • Clean your car then take photos that show the car from different angles, such as the front, rear, both sides, and the interior.
    • Don’t purposely obscure any scratches or damage your car may have from the photos. The seller will find out eventually, so you might as well be upfront to save everyone’s time and effort!
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    Review your ad for errors and make any necessary changes. Examine the preview of your ad carefully before posting it. The preview will show you exactly how it will look to potential buyers, so make sure to spot any potential errors.[7]
    • If you want to change something and continue editing your ad, select the “Edit” button. Otherwise, click the “Continue” button to continue the process and post your ad.
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    Accept the “Terms of Use,” confirm your email, then click “publish.” Read and accept the “Terms of Use” to familiarize yourself with Craigslist’s regulations. Follow the prompts to confirm your email address, then click “publish” to officially post your ad.[8]
    • Consider taking a screenshot or printing the terms in case you need to refer to them later.
    • You can still click the “edit” or “delete” button at this stage if you spot any last-minute errors.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:
Responding to Enquiries and Negotiating a Sale

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    Identify and ignore scam messages you receive. Spot scam messages or unserious inquiries and delete them to avoid wasting your time. Be suspicious of anyone claiming to be out of the country and offering to send you a wire transfer for the car.[9]
    • In general, if something seems too good to be true, it likely is. Use common sense and good judgment when interacting with strangers on Craigslist.
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    Arrange a test-drive in a public location for safety. Practice extreme caution when arranging to meet a stranger who is interested in seeing or test-driving your vehicle. Safely arrange a test-drive in a very public location with many people around and bring a friend, if possible.[10]
    • Take a picture of the test-driver’s license before handing over the keys so you’ll be able to track the person down if something goes awry. Immediately email yourself a copy for added protection.
    • Consider interviewing the person on the phone or looking them up online before meeting them in person.
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    Decide what form of payment you will accept. Tell interested buyers upfront what form of payment you will accept for your car. Consider only accepting cash or cashier’s checks, as personal checks and money orders are easier to fake.[11]
    • No matter what form of payment you request, make sure to verify from a bank that it is valid or wait until you have received the money in your account before signing over the title.
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    Make a sales pitch by describing your car’s attributes. Explain the positive aspects of your car to the potential buyer. Take the opportunity to describe any important qualities that may not be listed in your online ad or reiterate some of the highlights.[12]
    • Consider emphasizing your car’s fuel economy or any recent upgrades or repairs to make it seem like a more attractive buy.
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    Negotiate over the price. Decide the lowest amount of money you will accept for the car, then be prepared to negotiate a bit over the price.[13] If the buyer is interested and seems legitimate, consider listening to any offers they may make which are below your asking price.[14]
    • You may want to even set your asking price a bit higher than what you are prepared to accept to leave yourself more negotiating room. People like to feel like they are getting a deal!
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:
Completing the Necessary Paperwork to Finalize the Sale

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    Plan out exactly how and where you will finalize the sale. Decide ahead of time the exact location where you will complete the sale.[15] Because you will need to have a form notarized and turn in paperwork at the DMV, it is a good idea to suggest meeting at a specific bank or at your local DMV.[16]
    • You can also typically get documents notarized at shipping stores and public libraries.
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    Visit the DMV’s website ahead of time to learn what forms are required. Follow the instructions closely and fill out the paperwork to ensure you are prepared to efficiently close the deal once the time comes. Different states have different rules and regulations.[17]
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    Find out the status of your car’s title. Visit your state’s DMV website to check the status of your title. You’ll need to provide your vehicle’s vehicle identification number (VIN) or the title certificate number. Some states do not allow you to sell a car if you have placed liens on it.[18]
    • If you’ve placed a lien against your car, you’ll have to inform the buyer and complete a form, which can be obtained from the DMV, that your buyer agrees to take over the lien when purchasing the car.
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    Consider creating a bill of sale to formalize your exchange. Create a simple document that lists the buyer and seller’s names, basic details about the car, and the agreed upon price of the car. This will be your bill of sale and can be signed by both parties to formalize your selling agreement.[19]
    • Some states require bills of sale and even have pre-made forms that you can download instead of creating your own.
    • You should consider creating a bill of sale regardless of whether it is required because it adds extra protection for both parties by guarding against misunderstandings that may occur in verbal agreements.
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    Transfer the car’s title to the new owner and have it notarized. Fill in the information required in section A of the title certificate. You will need to list the buyer’s name and address, the odometer reading, and the sale price. To officially transfer ownership of the car you will need to both sign the title certificate in the presence of a notary.[20]
    • Most bank branches have notaries and charge a small fee for the service. It is very important not to sign the document before you get to the notary, otherwise, they may judge the document invalid.
    • You can request a copy of a lost or damaged title certificate by contacting your local DMV.
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    Remove your plates and notify the DMV and insurance company. Bring a screwdriver with you when you go to finalize the sale so that you can immediately remove your license plate. Contact your DMV and insurance company, either by phone or online, to notify them of the completed sale.[21]
    • You want to avoid continuing to pay taxes and insurance on a car you no longer own!
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    Is it good to sell a car on Craigslist, or should I use another platform?
    Bryan Hamby
    Bryan Hamby
    Professional Auto Broker
    Bryan Hamby is the owner of Auto Broker Club, a trusted auto brokerage in Los Angeles, California. He founded Auto Broker Club in 2014 out of a passion for cars and a unique talent for customizing the car dealership process to be on the buyer’s side. With 1,400+ deals closed, and a 90% customer retention rate, Bryan’s focus is to simplify the car buying experience through transparency, fair pricing, and world class customer service.
    Bryan Hamby
    Bryan Hamby
    Professional Auto Broker
    Expert Answer
    The pros of Craigslist are that you can be very focused in terms of who you're selling to. The listing can be very local, so you won't need to go far when you're meeting potential buyers. You also don't have to pay a whole lot to list the vehicle, which a lot of other platforms require. The big downside is the scammers. There tend to be a lot of them on that platform, so choose your buyer carefully.
  • Question
    How would I put a 1993 Camaro on Craigslist?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You would first need to make an account to be able to post and sell items. Once this is done, you would want to create a post and select a category to place it in, then give detailed descriptions of the car and supply adequate pictures of both the exterior and interior.
  • Question
    When selling a car, do I have to state cash only?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you want to be safe, ask for cash only. Meet at a bank to make sure the money is not fake.
  • Question
    What is the safest way to get paid when selling a car?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Arrange the meeting for payment inside the seller's bank so you can watch a cashier's check being drawn and issued directly to you. If paying cash, you can meet at a police station.
  • Question
    Will I need to pay a fee to Craigslist once the car is sold?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No. Craigslist is a free website. Once you sell your car, remove the ad so that no one else tries to buy it.
  • Question
    Do I have to put the VIN number of the car on the application?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You don't have to, but it helps you get more calls for your car. if you don't put your VIN number, most people think you have something to hide about your car so they don't call you (even if there is no negative report on your Carfax).
  • Question
    When do I cancel my insurance?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    After the sale is final and you have turned in the license plate. Otherwise, you may be penalized by the DMV. The bad part is that you may not even know that you have been penalized until the next time you try to renew your driver's license.
  • Question
    Is it OK to use Paypal to sell a car on Craigslist?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Selling it by cash or bank transaction is the safest way.
  • Question
    How do I list a vehicle that is equipped with handicap capability - ex. the vehicle has an automatic lift/ramp that enables transportation of a mobility scooter which is included with the vehicle?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    List the car as you would normally, but in the title include "handicap-equipped." In the description include pictures of the setup in operation, and a more detailed description of the vehicle's specific handicap features.
  • Question
    How do l get an email address and not use my personal email?
    Emily Gibson1
    Emily Gibson1
    Community Answer
    You can create an email account for free through Gmail or Yahoo to list on your ad. This will help you avoid having to rely on your personal email.

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.craigslist.org/about/help/how_to_post
  2. ↑ https://www.craigslist.org/about/help/how_to_post
  3. ↑ https://www.craigslist.org/about/help/how_to_post
  4. ↑ https://www.craigslist.org/about/help/how_to_post
  5. ↑ https://www.craigslist.org/about/help/how_to_post
  6. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-photograph-cars-like-a-pro/
  7. ↑ https://www.dummies.com/education/internet-basics/post-ad-craigslist/
  8. ↑ https://www.dummies.com/education/internet-basics/post-ad-craigslist/
  9. ↑ Bryan Hamby. Professional Auto Broker. Expert Interview. 11 June 2019.
  1. ↑ https://www.dummies.com/education/internet-basics/post-ad-craigslist/
  2. ↑ https://www.kbb.com/sell-your-car/steps-to-sell-your-car/?r=123524194293548340
  3. ↑ https://www.kbb.com/sell-your-car/steps-to-sell-your-car/?r=123524194293548340
  4. ↑ Bryan Hamby. Professional Auto Broker. Expert Interview. 11 June 2019.
  5. ↑ https://www.kbb.com/sell-your-car/steps-to-sell-your-car/?r=123524194293548340
  6. ↑ Bryan Hamby. Professional Auto Broker. Expert Interview. 11 June 2019.
  7. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/used-cars/how-to-sell-your-car/
  8. ↑ https://www.dmv.org/buy-sell/selling-your-car/
  9. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/used-cars/how-to-sell-your-car/
  10. ↑ https://www.debtroundup.com/how-to-sell-a-car-on-craigslist/
  11. ↑ Bryan Hamby. Professional Auto Broker. Expert Interview. 11 June 2019.
  12. ↑ https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/car-selling-mistakes

About This Article

Bryan Hamby
Co-authored by:
Bryan Hamby
Professional Auto Broker
This article was co-authored by Bryan Hamby. Bryan Hamby is the owner of Auto Broker Club, a trusted auto brokerage in Los Angeles, California. He founded Auto Broker Club in 2014 out of a passion for cars and a unique talent for customizing the car dealership process to be on the buyer’s side. With 1,400+ deals closed, and a 90% customer retention rate, Bryan’s focus is to simplify the car buying experience through transparency, fair pricing, and world class customer service. This article has been viewed 374,272 times.
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Co-authors: 23
Updated: December 3, 2021
Views: 374,272
Categories: Craigslist
Article SummaryX

To sell a car on Craiglist, go to the Craigslist website, click “Create a Posting," and select “For Sale by Owner.” Next, title your ad with the car’s year, make, and model. Then, list your selling price, location, odometer reading, fuel and transmission type, number of cylinders, and any other important technical specifications. Finally, include your contact information and upload several attractive, well-lit photos of your car that accurately represent its appearance. For tips on responding to inquiries and identifying spam, read on!

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