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Best Ways to Sell a Car in Virginia
Peddle
Get a legit offer in minutes – provide VIN, mileage and condition
$0 fees + you don’t have to pay for towing – Peddle will take care of it
Get paid in check during the pick up for any car (damaged, junk, wrecked)
Wheelzy
Quick car evaluation without the hassle – sell your car within 30 min
Choose a convenient date and time for free pick-up, as soon as next day
Get cash in hand the same day the Wheelzy agent picks up your car
CarBrain
Get an offer within 2 minutes and sell your damaged car within 48 hours
Free vehicle towing and no fees to getting rid of your damaged car
The tow truck driver will arrive with your check (nationwide service)
How to Sell a Car in Virginia?
There are three main ways to sell your car in Virginia:
Jump to: Sell Car Privately
Jump to: Sell Car to Car Buying Website
Jump to: Sell Car to Dealership
TurnaroudEffort NeededBest ForPrivately52 days (on average)Multiple stepsUsed carsCar Buying Website1-2 daysFill online formOld and junk carsDealership5-7 daysVisit officeNewer cars
Sell Car Privately in Virginia
Requirements to Sell a Car in Virginia
Certificate of Title
Odometer Reading
VIN Inspection
Bill of Sale
Your Signature
Signature of any Lienholder(s)
Signature of the Buyer
Report Sale
Step 1: Get Your Car Ready for the Photoshoot
Creating an appealing web listing is the first step towards selling your automobile privately. So get your vehicle photoshoot-ready to increase your chances of attracting buyers. Here’s how to go about it:
Remove garbage
Remove your personal items
Vacuum the seats and floor mats
Have your automobile washed properly
After that, photograph your car from various angles to highlight its appearance and features.
Step 2: List Your Car for Sale Online
After you’ve taken some photos, it’s time to put your automobile up for sale. Your listing should contain a few photographs and a brief description of your car’s features and condition to attract serious buyers.
Most popular websites to list your car:
In Virginia, you can sell up to 5 total vehicles within 12 consecutive month time period as a private seller. If you want to sell more than 5 vehicles in a year, you’ll have to become a licensed and authorized dealer in Virginia.
Step 3: Arrange a Test Drive
When you have a serious buyer, they might want to test drive your vehicle before finalizing the deal. Make sure your schedule is open enough to accommodate the test drive. I highly suggest you meet the buyer in a public area, such as street parking, to ensure your safety. You should also request the buyer’s driver’s license and evidence of auto insurance.
Step 4: Agree to a Car Inspection (If Asked)
If you have a serious buyer, they may want to have the car appraised by a third party before making a purchase. So agree to get your automobile inspected. The buyer will pay for the inspection.
You may also provide a Bumper Vehicle History Report to establish reliability. This report will uncover the actual value of your car by revealing any accident or flood damage histories.
Step 5: Gather Paperwork
Title
A proper vehicle title is required when selling an automobile in Virginia. If you misplaced your vehicle title, you’d need to obtain a replacement in order to complete the transaction.
You can apply for a new title online or complete the “Application for Replacement and Substitute Titles” form (VSA 67). You’ll also have to pay the $15 replacement title charge.
Note that if you have a lien on your vehicle, you won’t be able to obtain a new title since it will be given to the lienholder. You also can’t sell your automobile if you still owe money on it, so make sure you pay it off before making any efforts to sell.
Bill of Sale
Although the Virginia DMV doesn’t mention a car Bill of Sale, you should still prepare one and fill it out to ensure you have a record of the transaction.
To produce your own automobile Bill of Sale in Virginia, you may use an online template and ensure that both you and the buyer fill it out. Remember to make a duplicate for yourself.
Step 6: Remove the License Plates
You should remove the license plates when selling a car in Virginia. If your automobile registration is more than six months old, you may be entitled to a partial refund for vehicle registration. Fill out the Application for Vehicle Registration Refund Form (FMS-2010) and submit it with your license plates.
Step 7: Report the Sale to the Virginia DMV
To ensure that you are free of all liabilities, report the sale of the car to the Virginia DMV. You can do so online or by phone at (804) 497-7100. Also, tell your auto insurance company that you’ve sold your vehicle.
Step 8: Cancel Auto Insurance
To prevent incurring any further payments, cancel your motor insurance after the deal is completed.
Sell Car to Car Buying Website in Virginia
Selling your old vehicle to car-buying websites like Peddle, CarBrain and Wheelzy is an excellent alternative to explore if you want to get cash for it within 48 hours. Simply complete an online application with your vehicle information to get an instant quote. You’ll have 7 days to consider the offer and notify the company of your decision.
If you accept the offer, you can set a pickup date with a company representative. Pickups in Virginia usually take place within 48 hours of accepting the offer. The agent will come to your driveway to collect your vehicle and pay you immediately.
Peddle
Peddle Summary
Sell used, damaged or junk car nationwideGet instant quote on (855) 925 4302Free towing within 48 hours after offerReceive payment upon car collection
How Much Will Peddle Pay for Your Car in Virginia?
The table below shows a few of the cars Peddle has recently purchased in Virginia:
MakeYearOffer ValueFord (Freestyle)2007$355Mercury (Cougar)1999$285Honda (Accord)1994$245
Wheelzy
Wheelzy Summary
Wheelzy stores are open 7 days a weekGet offer in minutes – (855) 510-1108Free towing of your car from your locationInstant payment via cash or check
How Much Will Wheelzy Pay for Your Car in Virginia?
Here are a few examples of Wheelzy’s recent purchases:
MakeYearMileageOffer ValueFord (Escape)2006Under 150,000$250Cadillac (STS)2005Under 200,000$200Chevrolet (Tahoe)2002Under 250,000$350
CarBrain
CarBrain Summary
Call for a free quote – (844) 407-2200Get cash for your car in under 48 hoursCarBrain buys cars in over 7 conditionsUp to 7 days to accept CarBrain’s offer
How Much Will CarBrain Pay for Your Car in Virginia?
The table below shows a few of the cars CarBrain has recently purchased in Virginia:
MakeMileageYearConditionOffer ValueJeep (CJ7)100,0001983Mechanical Damage: Transmission$1,850Toyota (Tacoma)225,0002001Mechanical Damage: Engine$1,850Lexus (LX 470)281,0002001It starts and drive.$1,650
Sell Car to Dealership
If your automobile is brand new and you need urgent cash, go to a nearby dealership and request a price offer. The dealer will undertake a brief inspection and make you an offer on your vehicle. If the deal is fair for you, accept it, leave the car at the dealership, and go home with cash or a check in hand.
Pro tip: Visit at least two dealerships and negotiate over the price. Then, accept the highest offer to get the most for your vehicle.
How to Sell a Car to a Dealership in Virginia?
Selling a car to a dealership in Virginia typically involves several steps.
First, gather all relevant documents such as the vehicle title, maintenance records, and any additional paperwork.
Next, research the value of your car to have a fair idea of its worth.
Contact local dealerships and request quotes for your vehicle, and be prepared to negotiate the price.
Once you agree on a price, complete the necessary paperwork, and the dealership will guide you through the process of transferring ownership.
Best Dealerships in Virginia
Virginia is home to many well-known car dealerships representing a wide range of automobile manufacturers:
Priority Automotive Group: This group includes multiple dealerships in Virginia and represents various brands such as Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet, Ford, and more.
Lindsay Automotive Group: Lindsay Automotive Group has multiple dealerships in the Northern Virginia area and offers various brands like Volkswagen, Subaru, Audi, and more.
Sheehy Auto Stores: Sheehy Auto Stores have locations throughout Virginia and offer a range of brands, including Ford, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and others.
Pohanka Automotive Group: Pohanka has multiple locations in Virginia and represents brands like Acura, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota, and more.
Rosenthal Automotive Group: This group has dealerships in the Northern Virginia area and offers brands like Mazda, Volkswagen, Subaru, and more.
Hall Automotive: Hall Automotive has several locations in Virginia and represents brands like Volvo, Toyota, Honda, and others.
Casey Auto Group: Casey Auto Group serves the Hampton Roads area and offers brands like Nissan, Hyundai, and Kia.
Berglund Automotive: Berglund Automotive has dealerships in the Roanoke and Lynchburg areas, representing various brands, including Ford, Chevrolet, Subaru, and more.
Southern Auto Group: Located in the Virginia Beach area, Southern Auto Group offers brands like Ford, Chevrolet, Kia, and more.
Pearson Auto Group: Pearson Auto Group has multiple dealerships in Richmond and the surrounding areas, offering brands like Cadillac, Jaguar, Land Rover, and others.
People Also Asked
How do you let DMV know I sold my car in Virginia?
You must notify the Virginia DMV within 30 days if you sell, trade, or donate your automobile. You can do this online, by visiting a customer care facility, or by calling the DMV at (804) 497-7100.
If you have six full months or more remaining on your vehicle registration, you may be eligible for a refund. To apply for a refund, you will need to complete the Vehicle Registration Refund Application (FMS-210) and mail it to the DMV along with your license plates.
You should also notify your insurance company of the sale of your car.
Is a Bill of Sale required for selling a car in Virginia?
A bill of sale is not required for selling a car in Virginia, but it is highly recommended. A bill of sale is a legal document that proves the sale of a car and can help to protect the buyer and seller from liability. It is also required if the purchase price of the car cannot be listed on the title.
Do I pay taxes when I sell my car in Virginia?
Yes, you generally need to pay taxes when you sell a car in Virginia. Virginia collects a 4.15% sales and use tax (SUT) whenever a vehicle is sold and ownership is transferred. This tax is based on the vehicle’s gross sales price, or $75, whichever is greater.