When you want to offload your current vehicle, the common choices are either selling it yourself or trading in for a new one.

Selling your car to a private party usually nets you the best price, but it can also be a hassle. You're required to complete many tasks, like taking detailed photos, posting advertisements, and answering phone calls from potential buyers.

And even after those steps, you'll need to meet the buyer in a public location for pick up and fill out the necessary paperwork like signing the bill of sale and transferring the car's title.

All in all, it's a lengthy process that might not be worth the time and effort. You could wind up waiting for weeks (or more).

On the other hand, trading in is a straightforward, painless way to receive money for your used car and use the funds as a down payment on your new one. 

All you have to do is contact the reseller of your choice, decide whether to accept their offer, then put the amount toward your new vehicle's purchase price. Doing so can lower the amount you finance as well as your monthly car payments.

Another benefit of trading in is saving money on sales tax. Many states only charge sales tax on the remaining amount when you subtract the trade-in value from the price of your new vehicle. This important benefit can save you thousands of dollars, allowing you to keep extra cash in your bank account for other essential obligations.

Although car buying can be fun, selling your old one can be a hassle. How can you be sure you receive a reasonable price in return? But Shift makes selling your used car simple and convenient. All you'll have to do is enter the make, model, year, and mileage on Shift's easy-to-use website, and you'll instantly receive a purchase offer that's valid for seven days. You can get a fair offer, better than at the dealership, driven by powerful machine learning algorithms and tons of data. And with Shift, there is no need to spend the extra time waxing and washing the car. A little dirt won't affect the quote, and we fully detail the cars ourselves before listing them for sale.

If you don't like the idea of making a private sale and aren't in the market for a new vehicle, selling your old car to a vendor like Shift may be a good option. 

Instead of the long, laborious process of selling to a private buyer, it's prompt and smooth when we buy your vehicle. 

Traditional wisdom dictates that when you sell your car to a dealer, you need to use the money as a down payment on a new one. But that isn't always true.

Dealerships vary in size and location and the types of cars they sell. The one you visit could be a large, manufacturer-backed establishment promoting new vehicles or a unique small-town used car dealership with older, more economical ones. 

Each dealership has different needs, and the type of car you have plays a part in whether they'll buy it. 

Buying a used vehicle can save you thousands of dollars versus purchasing a new one. But where can you go for not only a great price but a car that stands the test of time? Shift offers best-in-class service contracts at a fair price without sales pressure. You get the great price and value of a used car with the bumper-to-bumper protection of a new car. With a Shift Vehicle Protection plan, not only are essential components covered, but you also receive roadside assistance if you run into trouble on the road. Whether you happen to be in the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, or Canada, help is just a toll-free call away, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

1. Have reasonable expectations

Though you may believe your used vehicle to be an excellent choice for a new owner, it can help to take a step back and look at your car from an outside perspective. Assessing its mechanical and cosmetic condition and the current market can help you determine a decent valuation when selling your car to a dealer. Some ways to demonstrate your vehicle's worth include paying for a mechanical inspection or a professional appraisal.

2. Pricing research

Online resources can be a helpful tool to find your current car's market value. One good source of information is Shift's free estimate calculator. 

3. Shop around

Taking offers from several dealers can help net you the best price on your used vehicle. Since each dealership is different, they could have varying inventory needs, and specific ones might give you a better deal. Searching over a wide geographical area to find where your car is in demand could secure you a higher price. 

4. Gather necessary paperwork

Just like when you sell to a private party or trade in, you'll need specific documents when selling your car to a dealer. First among those is the vehicle title that confirms you as the legal owner to transfer it to the next one. If you're currently making payments on a car loan, selling your car to a dealer is still possible. But first, you may need to pay the dealership some or all of the remaining loan balance. This additional step may take longer than a standard sale, so be sure and bring all the appropriate loan paperwork. 

5. Look for a dealer that suits you

Because different dealerships sell many types of new and used vehicles, locating one where yours fits could help bring you more money. For instance, if you have a classic car, a manufacturer-backed new car dealer probably won't be interested. But the small used car dealer on the corner may be excited to pay good money for it. And the opposite may be true if you're selling a newer vehicle.

No matter what you’re looking to sell, Shift is looking to make you an offer. To start, simply enter your make, model, year, license plate and VIN and receive a fair offer within minutes. It’s free, and there’s no commitment. If you like the offer, you can even book an at-home evaluation so that one of our concierges can inspect your vehicle in person. If you decide to sell, we take care of all the paperwork, pick up the car and make sure you get paid fast.