Selling a Car in Reading, PA: Dealership or DIY?

Making the decision to sell your current method of transportation is the first step for many consumers to either upgrade to a better vehicle or possibly obtain some money to help out with unforeseen circumstances. Before you advertise your vehicle or even research the adequate price to sell, there are some critical choices to make regarding how you’re going to sell. You can maximize your profits by selling it yourself, or you can avoid the hassle and stress and sell it to a local dealership such as Performance Toyota. If you’ve finally decided that “I’m going to sell my car,” Reading has plenty of potential customers. Today we’ll go over both selling methods to determine which one will work better for you.

Some Things to Know About Selling in Pennsylvania

Before you decide how to sell your vehicle, there are a few facts about Pennsylvania state law that you should be aware of. Mainly, you need to know how to fill out the appropriate paperwork, so the sale is legit. When you transfer ownership of a vehicle in the state of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles will assist in a legal transfer. On the title itself, you must fill out the purchaser’s name and address, sign the title, and disclose a current odometer reading. You will also be required to provide proper proof of identification to verify you are the owner and have the rights to sell the vehicle. Once you have transferred the title, you need to remove the license plates and return them to the DMV or have them transferred over to a new vehicle.

Understanding the Market Value

Before you choose a price to sell your vehicle at, you need to understand its current value. Here’s where some brief research is absolutely necessary. Regardless of the make and model, all vehicles undergo a depreciation process. This begins from the moment a vehicle leaves the lot, and it continues to depreciate every year the vehicle is owned. Some vehicles do a better job retaining their value than others, so finding your vehicle’s current value is essential when choosing a price.

Publications such as Kelley Blue Book are updated each year with the current market value. This will give you an idea of the resale value and how much you can expect to get. It’s essential to take into consideration that other factors affect its value. Wear and tear, mileage, and condition of the vehicle’s body and its mechanical state all play a huge part in the sale price.

However, while online tools can be helpful in determining the potential value of your current vehicle, there are many factors that go into what someone will actually pay. If the market is currently overcrowded with used models, you’ll likely get less for your vehicle, while if the pool is empty of good used models, you might get more. Also, little things like how clean your car is and color can all play a major role on if your car is going to sell for more or less than it’s worth.

While you’ll be able to set your own price when you sell a vehicle on your own, the same can’t be said when you sell to a dealership. Dealers tend to pay a little less for the used cars they buy. This is primarily due to the preparation they have to do to make a vehicle ready for the marketplace. Inspection, detailing, and mechanical and bodywork must be done beforehand. If you sell a car yourself, you may be paying out of pocket to get your vehicle sale-worthy. This is one of the advantages of selling directly to a dealership. Plus, if you work with us, you know we will give you a fair price for your vehicle.

Paperwork: It’s Either a Hassle or a Non-Issue

As we previously mentioned, some necessary paperwork must be filled out when a vehicle is sold. If you’re selling your vehicle to a private party, you’ll need the original or a replacement title and a few other items required by Pennsylvania state law. You’ll want the current vehicle maintenance records, and although it’s not legally required, a bill of sale is good to have. Filling out this paperwork and ensuring it’s accurately and correctly done is necessary. Not to mention, it’s pretty time-consuming.

One of the most significant advantages of selling a car to a dealership is that you’ll be handing over your car and the responsibility for all the paperwork that comes with it. We’ll deal with the DMV and any other notarizations that come with it. We can also advise you on any other paperwork that might be missing when you decide to sell. Not to mention, if you decide to buy something new from us, we can get all of that paperwork done for you at the same time.

Preparation and Waiting vs a Quick Turnaround

Now that you’ve put in the legwork, gotten the paperwork together, and figured out a ballpark estimate of what your vehicle might go for, it’s time for the final preparations before putting it on the market. If you’re selling your vehicle yourself, you’ll need to do a few things beforehand. Making sure you’re selling a product of decent quality is the first priority; the second is making sure it looks good, and there’s transparency with your sale.

If you’re selling privately, there is a lot of stuff you are going to want to do. Take your vehicle to a mechanic for an inspection. If any lingering repairs need to be taken care of, it’s best that they’re done right away. If you can, get documentation from the shop to provide it to a potential buyer. This will put a buyer’s mind at ease. Speaking of which, you’ll have better luck selling your vehicle if you provide a CARFAX report. This will guarantee transparency by allowing any prospective buyer to see a detailed history of the vehicle. Last but certainly not least, bring your car to a location that offers detailing. Having your car thoroughly cleaned inside and out will attract more buyers than one that’s been collecting dust and looks unkempt.

If you choose to sell your car to a dealership, all of these steps will be undertaken by them. A transaction through a dealership like ours is quick and a lot less hassle. You can just bring your car in and leave with cash in hand the same day without needing to go through any costly repairs or having to wait for who knows how long to get a buyer.

It mostly comes down to if you want to maximize your profit and are willing to wait for the right buyer. Be warned that this could take several weeks or months. And you’ll have to sit in on several test drives and deal with occasional buyers who want to pay much less than you’re asking. A quick turnaround isn’t the only advantage. Selling your vehicle to a dealership can result in a notable tax deduction or the chance to use the vehicle as equity towards purchasing a new one.

It’s About What You Want to Do

At the end of the day, you may be able to get a better price for your vehicle by selling it privately––maybe––but does that pro outweigh the extra work, time, and energy it takes? Selling to a dealership is much easier and more straightforward, though you may not see as much profit. If you feel the wait is worth it and have your heart set on a specific high price, then selling a vehicle on your own might be your best bet. However, if you want a quick turnaround with no hassle so you can get back to the things you want to do, then taking advantage of selling to a dealership like Performance Toyota will make the transition process quick and free of stress and aggravation. We are happy to offer you a great price for any vehicle you want to sell or trade-in, and we are happy to take care of all of the paperwork, so you don’t have to.

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