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6 Steps to Sell a Car on eBay Motors
Selling car on eBay is a pretty straightforward process. Let’s go through it step-by-step.
Register
When selling on eBay Motors, you need to register to become an eBay member and create a seller account. This process involves two steps:
Register as an eBay member – you’ll need to provide basic contact information, create your user ID, and set a secure password.
Create a seller account. Once you are a registered eBay member, go to the Create a Seller Account section.
Collect Information About Your Vehicle
In order to create an eBay Motors vehicle listing, you must collect relevant information about your car to ensure a hassle-free listing process and a successful deal.
Here’s what information you’ll need to provide in your listing:
Print and complete the Sell Your Vehicle Checklist
Save time by completing the eBay checklist to register all of your vehicle information before going online to create the eBay Motor listing. The checklist will help you identify the information you’ll need to sell your car.
Provide your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Whether you’re listing a newer or older car than 1981, it is convenient to include the VIN code on your listing.
Know your vehicle history
If you’re not the original owner, it’s worthwhile to run a vehicle history report. Make sure that any branded titles or histories of the car are appropriately disclosed in your description.
Locate the vehicle title and have it ready to transfer to the new buyer
It’s important to check your vehicle’s title information to make sure it’s accurate and up-to-date. If there are any inaccuracies, then this could lead to legal ramifications for yourself in the future.
If you’re not the car’s current owner, please disclose any liens or other limitations on title transfer in the description. You might need to contact your lienholder to determine the timing and steps of acquiring the title.
Check with your Motor Vehicle Department about other requirements
Some US states require you to run a smog check before you sell your car.
So make sure to check with your Department of Motor Vehicles to find out whether you need to do a smog check or pay taxes before selling your car.
Take Photos
To sell your car on eBay, you must include multiple pictures of your car in order to get potential buyers interested.
People will buy a used vehicle without driving it, but they won’t purchase one unless they see the inside and outside for themselves first hand.
eBay requires you to upload 12 photos that showcase your car. If your vehicle has any scratches or damages, you’ll need to include those too.
Pro tip: While you don’t need fancy equipment, I highly recommend you wash your car and take pictures when there’s enough sunlight outside.
You should take photos of your car from several angles, including:
Exterior
Interior
Odometer
Engine
Close-ups of any dents, dings, stains, or other damage
Create & Manage Listing
The creation of a listing on eBay will entice buyers to purchase your vehicle. Be sure the description includes all necessary information, the terms of sales, and a realistic price based on research.
eBay allows you to create 2 types of listings:
Buy Now option
Auction option
Managing your listing on eBay is easy. Once you’re signed in to My eBay, you can add information or upgrade the status of your item to attract more buyers.
Auction option
The auction option is a great way to get the most cash for your old car. This option allows potential buyers to bid for your vehicle, and whoever bids the most within a specific timeframe will get the car.
To minimize the risk of getting underpaid, eBay provides Reserve Price Auctions that allow you to set the minimum price bid for your car. This way, buyers can’t bid lower amounts than you’re okay getting.
When should you use a reserve auction?
If you have the latest models, exotic cars, or just highly-priced cars
If you’re new to selling a car on eBay Motors
Buy Now option
The Buy-It-Now price allows you to specify a fixed sale price for your car.
Finalize Sale
Now that you’ve sold your vehicle, the next step is collecting payment and confirming shipping or pickup arrangements with the buyer.
What’s good, eBay doesn’t charge you any additional fees when your car sells. You only pay the listing fee mentioned above in this article upfront.
Ensure to check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles for instructions on managing the title transfer.
When it comes to withdrawing your payout, eBay allows you to get your funds via PayPal.
Arrange the Pick Up/Collection
You probably already established the pickup or shipping terms in your eBay Motors listing. Most buyers choose to pick up the car in person.
However, if your trade does require a shipping service, make sure that the shipping company you and the buyer agree to use is insured and bonded.
How Much Does it Cost to Sell a Car on eBay?
eBay Motors Summary
Sell 20+ types of vehicle and car partsLow listing fees starting from just $19List a car for sale in under 10 minutes2 selling options – fixed price or auction
The fees associated with selling a car on eBay may vary depending on multiple reasons. If you are selling less than 6 vehicles per year, you can expect to pay on average between $25 and $95 to list a car.
eBay Motors Standard Fees
When you’re listing your car on eBay, you’re paying the standard listing fee upfront. There are 3 packages $25, $45, and $95.
How much you’ll pay for setting up your listing depends on the following factors:
Whether you’re a low or a high-volume seller*
What kind of car you’re listing
* Note: You’re a low-volume seller if you sell less than 6 cars per year on eBay. You’re a high-volume seller if you sell more than 6 vehicles within a year through eBay.
The more expensive packages let you have your listing up for a longer time and give you bonus features, including the option to add more photos.
Once you become a high-volume seller, things change, and eBay gives you 2 additional tools – quick listing tool and advanced tool.
Quick listing tool
If you leverage the quick listing tool, you’ll need to pay a $95 listing fee – just like any low-volume seller would.
Advanced tool
If you’re a high-level seller, you can use the advanced listing tool for a $50 insertion fee.
Your listing will be up for only 7 days, but you can extend this time for an additional cost. Either way, an advanced tool is less expensive when you’re selling more than 6 cars in a year.
eBay Motors Payment Processing Fees
Accepting deposits through PayPal comes with processing fees – 2.9% + $0.30. eBay will automatically deduct this fee once your car gets sold.
While PayPal isn’t the only option to accept payments, it’s the cheapest one. Credit card transfers usually come with higher fees, and it depends on the bank you’re using.
Shipping Fees
You can use any reliable shipping company to ship your car to the buyer. Your shipping cost will highly depend on the service provider you’ll use.
One of the shipping companies eBay recommends using is uShip. Simply enter your zip code to get your rate for shipping your car.
For example, shipping a 2007 Toyota Camry from Austin, TX to New York, NY would cost you on average $991.
Pro Tips to Sell Your Car on eBay Motors
1. Have Your Car Inspected
To provide the most accurate information about your car, I highly recommend that you take your car for an inspection.
2. Address Mechanical Issues
Once you’ve inspected your car, you already know if your vehicle has any mechanical issues. Make sure you address any problems it has and fix them.
Alternatively, you should indicate your car’s problems if you can’t fix the issues, so the potential buyers are aware of what they’re buying.
3. Clean Out Your Personal Belongings
It’s highly recommended to remove all of your personal belongings such as clothes, cleaning stuff, or equipment from your car before listing it on eBay Motors.
You need the potential buyers to imagine themselves driving your car – a cluttered vehicle doesn’t seem that appealing.
4. Wash Your Car
If you want to sell your car on eBay motors, wash your car. Many sellers don’t realize that keeping the exterior and interior clean will increase the sales prices.
Your car’s appearance indicates you took good care of it than if it were dirty or oily.
Plus, a clean car looks more appealing to potential buyers, catches their eyes more, and makes them review your listing thoroughly.
5. Take Appealing Photos
To make sure people see the best of what you have to offer, take some great photos!
Try snapping shots from different angles so potential buyers can have a full overview of your car and even imagine themselves owning it.
eBay Alternatives – Sell Car On Other Platforms
Peddle
Peddle Summary
Buys used, damaged or junk car nationwideGet instant quote on (855) 925 4302Free towing within 48 hours after offerReceive payment upon car collection
If you’re looking for the fastest sale possible, it’s worth considering Peddle. Peddle is a car buying company that will purchase your car in any condition directly.
Car conditions Peddle accepts:
Used cars
Damaged cars
Junk cars
Scrap cars
All you need to do to sell your vehicle to Peddle is submit your online application, indicating the make and model and the condition of your car. Once you do that, the Peddle agent will contact you with a quote for your used car. And if you accept the deal, they’ll come to pick up your car within 48 hours, handing you the check with the agreed amount.
Recent Peddle Offers
ModelYearMileageOfferToyota (Camry)2011150,000$2,225Volvo (S40)200137000$430Mercedes-Benz (560)199192000$1,930BMW (528)2008126,000$1,140Kia (Forte)2010145,000$635Honda (CR-V)201167000$2,930Ford (Explorer Sport Trac)2004145,000$1,170Oldsmobile (Alero)2004162,000$400Audi (A6)2006106,000$530
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
LikePeddle Wheelzy, a reliable car buying company will buy your vehicle directly – no questions asked.
Wheelzy also accepts cars in any condition, starting from gently used to a complete scrap.
You can get rid of your car within 48 hours after accepting the deal that Wheelzy offered for your used car.
Recent Wheelzy Offers
ModelYearMileageConditionOfferHyundai (Tucson)2006200,000Doesn’t start$400Mercury (Sable Sedan)2003150,000Doesn’t start$225Mercedes-Benz (C)2001150,000Starts$222Ford (Edge)2010200,000Doesn’t start$1,200Ford (Flex)2009150,000Starts$1,000Lexus (RX)2002300,000Doesn’t start$750Chevrolet (Cobalt Sedan)2007200,000Doesn’t start$200Toyota (Corolla)2003250,000Drives$555BMW (528)2008250,000Drives$1,487
CarBrain
CarBrain Summary
Get an online offer within 2 minutesGet cash for your car in under 48 hoursCarBrain buys cars in over 7 conditionsUp to 7 days to accept CarBrain’s offer
Another excellent alternative to eBay if you’re looking to sell your car is CarBrain. This online platform allows private car owners to sell their damaged or used vehicles for cash. To sell a car through CarBrain, you can fill out a form with your car’s details and receive an offer from the company.
Upon accepting the offer, CarBrain will pay for the car to be picked up and towed, and you will receive payment either by check at the time of pick-up or by mail.