Craigslist is a fixture in the world of online selling and shopping, and one of its more popular categories is “cars+trucks.” Selling a car on Craigslist is easy, and while it used to be free, it still only costs $5. That means a lot of people choose to sell their cars on Craigslist.
To simplify car shopping on Craigslist, we’ve put together two guides to help you buy or sell a vehicle using the popular community listing site.
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For a general guide to buying a car from a private seller, check out How to Buy a Car From a Private Seller.
Buying a Car on Craigslist: A Step-by-Step Guide
Unless you’re in the habit of regularly buying vehicles from private sellers, the process can be daunting. Shopping tools found right here on Carfax can be an excellent resource for deciding which car is best for you, including our Vehicle History Report and History-Based Value tools.
Our Vehicle Research Pages can also help you find the right car by comparing reviews, specs, and photos.
Step 1: Finding cars for sale on Craigslist
Find a used car from Craigslist by surfing Craigslist.org. Click the “cars+trucks” link in the “for sale” section. You’ll be asked if you want to view all cars for sale or single out just those listed by dealers or just by private sellers.
Craigslist also allows you to limit your search to vehicles within a specified number of miles from your ZIP code. You can narrow your search based on the maximum and minimum prices you’re willing to pay, the make and model you’re interested in, and the vehicle’s odometer mileage. You can also narrow your search based on preferences regarding vehicle condition and transmission type.
Finally, Craigslist allows you to shop only for vehicles with clean titles or vehicles with salvage or rebuilt titles. You can look for cars with outstanding loans, cars being sold only for parts, and vehicles without any title. Each scenario makes for a tricky situation, though; make sure you know what you’re getting into.
Once you’ve entered your search criteria into the list of options and hit “enter,” you’ll see a list of vehicles. If your search is empty, expand your specifics to include more model years or higher mileage. If that search yields nothing and you’re willing to wait for what you want, use the “save search” option at the top of the page. Craigslist will automatically alert you when a listing meeting your criteria appears on the site.
This is also a great time to cross-shop Carfax’s used cars listings. Not only can you find additional options in your search for the perfect vehicle, but it can also provide a reference point for pricing based on mileage, condition, and location. In addition, each used car listing on Carfax comes with a free Carfax Vehicle History Report detailing the car’s service, damage, and ownership history.
Step 2: Examine the listing carefully
Once you’ve pared down your Craigslist search and a handful of classifieds have matched your criteria, what next?
You can’t always judge a book by its cover, but you can learn much about a used car by studying its online ad. A good seller usually provides complete details on the vehicle’s condition and history. You may be unable to verify a seller’s claims simply by reading the ad, but you can eliminate options that raise a red flag.
The same goes for the photos. Though the low-resolution photos on Craigslist rarely tell the whole story, they can alert you to warning signs. For example, a picture of a rusted-out sedan should keep you from dropping everything in the middle of a workday to chase an underpriced pickup the owner claims is in pristine condition.
Step 3: Contact the seller
Start your conversation by email or text asking if the vehicle is still available. You may also want to ask for additional photos or request higher-resolution versions of the shots posted. If the ad doesn’t include a phone number, request one. The same goes for the location of the vehicle.
If the vehicle is still available and you have the seller’s phone number, call and talk to them. A few minutes on the phone will often be enough to either boost your confidence or persuade you to move on to the next vehicle.
Look for inconsistencies in the stories surrounding the vehicle, as well. If a seller tells you the car has “lived its whole life in road-salt-free Arizona” and then mentions how great it is in the snow, you may want to thank them for their time and move on kindly.
If buying from an individual or unknown dealer, learn how to avoid curbstoning. Ask if the vehicle has a title and inquire if there are any issues with its title, such as an outstanding loan (or lien) or a rebuilt or salvage title. You can learn more about the different types of “branded titles” here.
Finally, request the car’s vehicle identification number, or VIN, if it wasn’t provided in the listing.
Step 4: Consider a Carfax report
Before you meet in person, use the VIN to run a Carfax Vehicle History Report. The Carfax report will give you a deeper look at the car you’re interested in, and it can often verify or discredit information you got from the seller.
Even so, be careful not to judge a seller based on slight inconsistencies this report highlights, especially if they don’t affect the vehicle’s desirability or value. A seller may not be aware of all the information on the report, especially if they’re the second or third owner.
Step 5: Meet the seller and inspect the vehicle
The inspection process should be the same as with any other vehicle purchase, though Craigslist’s anonymity and inexpensive listing process present unique security issues.
Meet and inspect the car in daylight, and consider bringing a friend. Pick a high-traffic, neutral location like a service station or shopping mall parking lot.
Better yet, meet at one of the established “safe exchange zones” that are popping up around the country. These zones are typically in police station parking lots under constant surveillance. If a seller refuses to do business at a police station, you may have saved yourself from becoming the victim of an assault or robbery.
Buying a new vehicle is not a daily occurrence for most of us. We’ve compiled a comprehensive car-buying checklist to help you know what to look and listen for. We also have a step-by-step, 13-part guide to help you complete a successful test drive.
Step 6: Negotiate a selling price
You’ve found the ideal vehicle. The buyer assures you they have the title or can easily get it. Now what?
Given the nature of Craigslist, you may want to try negotiating a lower selling price. Most people set their asking price a little higher than they expect to sell the vehicle for, knowing most buyers rarely agree to the full amount.
If you’ve done your research and know what comparable vehicles are selling for, use that information to guide your offer. Remember, it’s best to offer a fair price right off the bat; low-balling with an offer well below fair market value can sour a deal beyond repair. If you’re unsure what to offer, ask the seller their “rock-bottom” price and go from there.
In addition, Carfax’s History Based Value tool will provide a price for any car you’ve got a VIN for. It’s an excellent way to see if what you’re paying aligns with the vehicle’s actual value.
Step 7: Closing the deal
Once you’ve reached an agreement, it’s time to complete the final transaction. This is where you hand over your hard-earned money, and the seller provides the vehicle, title, and a bill of sale. For safety’s sake, leave your money at home while you negotiate, then meet at the bank to deliver it.
Once you’re at the bank, everything that transpires will be on camera. You can also use a bank teller or staffer to notarize the sale documents, which goes a long way toward establishing credibility at a tax collector’s office or the Department of Motor Vehicles. Once again, a seller unwilling to make the transaction at a bank should be avoided.
Most private sellers expect cash or a cashier’s check for the payment. Avoid wire transfers simply because they’re complicated to initiate, involve sharing banking information among strangers, and the potential for fraud is high. (By extension, be wary of any seller who insists on a wire transfer.) However you pay, always get a bill of sale, which will serve as the receipt for your payment – and double-check its accuracy.
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Selling a Car on Craigslist: A Step-by-Step Guide
Many of the same principles that lead to a successful used-vehicle sale, whether in person or online, apply to listing a vehicle on Craigslist. We’ve compiled a detailed guide to selling your used car, truck, or SUV that you should work through as you prepare to sell your vehicle.
In addition to listing your car on Craigslist, you may also want to consider using a buying program, like Carfax’s Sell My Car, that gives you offers from local dealers. You could also trade in your car when buying a new one or donate it.
If you feel that selling your vehicle yourself makes the most sense for just $5 an ad, and with traffic equating to 50 billion pageviews a month, it’s hard to deny Craigslist is a good value. A well-devised ad with excellent photos can draw in multiple buyers in a short period. Here’s how it works.
Step 1: Discover Your vehicle’s value
Before you list, you’ll want to determine how much you should ask for the vehicle. To help you do this, Carfax has created an online valuation tool that uses your car’s make, model, and options, plus data from its Carfax Report, to give you a price.
Searching comparable online local listings can also help you understand what the market will bear, but if you’re still unsure, you can get a professional appraisal. Learn how in our appraisal guide.
Step 2: Gather the paperwork
If your goal is a quick and painless sale, making that happen will require gathering and completing your paperwork available. Each state has its requirements, but generally, you’ll need: the following:
- A bill of sale
- The vehicle’s title or a title transfer form
- An odometer disclosure statement
Some state Tax Collector or Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices require you and the buyer to complete paperwork in person at their offices. We suggest contacting your local DMV for details before starting the process.
You should also gather your maintenance records because complete maintenance records can be a selling point.
Step 3: Clean the car
If you’re selling your vehicle “as-is,” you can skip spending time or money on repairs and concentrate instead on making the vehicle as presentable as possible.
A good wash and a coat of wax, even the quick spray-on type, will help your car’s exterior look its best. Cleaning the inside requires careful vacuuming and a damp towel to wipe down non-porous surfaces. Stubborn stains can usually be removed with upholstery cleaners and shampoos; you may want to consult your local automotive store or a detailer for advice.
If in doubt, bring your vehicle to a professional detailer. Clean, detailed cars not only look better in photos, they typically sell for more money than dirty ones.
Step 4: Photograph the car
For many sellers, photographing their car might be the most daunting task. Good photos can help your vehicle sell quickly – often for more money. If a picture is worth a thousand words, good photos in an online ad are worth thousands of dollars.
To help, we’ve created a guide for taking well-framed, exciting pictures that represent your automobile.
Step 5: Write the listing
Your title doesn’t have to be fun or witty. Just create a simple title with information like the condition, year, make, model, trim level, engine, transmission, and vehicle mileage. For example, Well-maintained, low-mileage 2013 Honda Civic LX w/ 5-Speed Manual.
Keep the description brief but thorough, and be honest. Disclosing defects upfront will help avoid miscommunication down the road. Not telling a potential buyer about hidden rust or a mechanical problem that will show up in an inspection can ruin a sale. If you’re unsure of the vehicle’s health, get a professional appraisal or inspection.
Remember, though, that a listing should sound positive, pointing out the vehicle’s highlights – the reasons you bought it in the first place – plus any extras that make it unique.
Step 6: List the vehicle
Once you’ve done your research, taken photos, and written a description, listing a vehicle on Craigslist is straightforward. You don’t even need a user account.
Just visit Craiglist.org and select your location. Then click on “Create a Posting,” “For Sale by Owner,” and “Cars & Trucks – By Owner ($5 per post).”
Fill out the form using the information you’ve gathered; remember, the more thorough you can be, the better. Don’t put personal details in the listing beyond your email address or phone number.
Once you’ve filled in the application, hit “Continue. “Craiglist will ask if you want to add your full address; we recommend leaving this blank and simply providing your zip code.
Hit “Continue” again and upload your images. Craigslist allows you to upload up to 24; having that many is good practice and should result in better responses. Once uploaded, hit “Done with images.”
Your listing will appear in draft form. Double-check everything, and once it all looks good, hit “Publish.”
Craigslist requires phone number authentication before publishing. You’ll also be asked for the $5 payment before the post goes live. You can pay using Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. Paid listings last 30 days, and reposts are also $5.
Step 7: Respond to inquiries
It might take a day or two, but once your listing is published, you should begin to receive inquiries. Be ready and available to answer those inquiries and meet with potential buyers promptly. We suggest listing your vehicle on a day you know you’ll be in town and able to meet with shoppers without delay.
Step 8: Show the vehicle
Meeting and showing your car is where the rubber literally meets the road. The rules for showing a vehicle are very similar to those outlined above for viewing a potential purchase vehicle. Craigslist’s anonymity and inexpensive listing process also present unique security issues for sellers. Some suggestions:
- Meet in a high-traffic, well-lit, neutral location, such as a service station or shopping mall parking lot, or at an established safe exchange zone. While it may seem a little paranoid, following these suggestions may save you from becoming the victim of an assault or robbery. Also, consider bringing a friend with you.
- Most potential buyers will want to go for a test drive. Ensure the car you’re selling is properly registered and insured to avoid financial trouble from tickets or an accident.
- If the buyer requests an independent inspection, set up or confirm the appointment details yourself.
Step 9: Complete the sale
Once you’ve agreed to a purchase price, you’ll need to process the paperwork. Rules for completing a vehicle sale vary by location. Visiting your area’s Tax Collector or DMV website can clarify what’s needed. Typically, at least a signed bill of sale and title are required.
Meet the buyer at a bank to have an official complete the financial transaction. Having a recognized bank work as the go-between can add a layer of confidence for both the buyer and seller. The bank employee will likely have dealt with other vehicle sales in the past and can be a resource during the transaction.
The bank will likely hold its title if you still owe money on the car you’re selling. Learn about selling a car with a loan/lien here.
Step 10: Take down the listing
Once you’ve got a sizable cashier’s check or pile of cash, it can be easy to forget to visit Craigslist and take down your post. It’s worth the effort to avoid aggravation later when more inquiries roll in. It can also be very satisfying!
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