How to Sell Your Car to a Dealership

Demand for used vehicles is high, and most auto dealers in IN will offer to buy your current car from you. The team at Lafayette GMC will purchase your vehicle even if you don’t buy one from us. 

We’ll also help put you behind the wheel of a newer vehicle if you want to trade in your current car. You might want a newer vehicle for several reasons, such as expanding your family, enjoying off-roading adventures, or for weekend getaways to the lake or your favorite camping destination. You can sell your vehicle to us for any reason you want, such as downsizing a fleet or moving to a smaller home with less garage space in Indianapolis or Frankfort.

Or you can trade in your vehicle as a down payment for a newer model, so you can upgrade your ride. Whichever you choose, you can learn how to sell a car to a dealership from the experts at Lafayette GMC. 

How Does Selling Your Car to a Dealership Work? 

Selling your car to a Delphi-area dealership is relatively easy. It’s just like anything you want to sell to another person or company. Put your best product forward to make a good impression on a potential buyer. 

• Clean Up Your Vehicle: Our team knows every detail about the vehicles on our lot, and we’ll understand the details of the one you want to sell. Having your car washed and detailed makes it look shiny and well cared for. Replacing minor parts like windshield wipers and floor mats offer great ways to increase the value of your vehicle while making it look newer. An auto dealership, like Lafayette GMC, will consider these extras when determining precisely how much a used vehicle for sale is worth. We’ll take into account the extras when figuring out a purchase price.
• Write Down the Maintenance and Benefits of Your Vehicle: Having a detailed history and maintenance record of your vehicle helps the dealer understand if you’ve kept it in great shape. A list of its additional features and a list of its accessories, like extra key fobs, bike mounts, or cargo rails, will increase the value of your vehicle. Popular, in-demand extras make the vehicle more appealing to dealerships. 
• Have Your Car’s Title on Hand: Bring your vehicle’s title with you when you’re ready to sell. Having the documents on hand saves time and gets you an offer more quickly. If there’s any money left on a loan, it must be paid off before a dealership can take full ownership of the vehicle. 
• Research Your Car’s Value: Use tools from Cars.com, Kelley Blue Book, or your local dealership to find the trade-in value of your car. While not exact, these tools will give you an estimate as to what you might receive for your vehicle. Remember one important fact: A car dealership will offer a lower amount than you could sell to a private party. That’s because the dealership will try to sell the vehicle for a profit.
• Pick Your Dealership Wisely: If you have a newer, gently used vehicle, most dealerships will buy it regardless of what’s in the current inventory or the vehicle’s condition. If you have an older model car, you may find it easier to sell it to a used car dealership instead. With the right dealership, such as one associated with a particular automaker, the staff there might be able to sell your used car as a certified pre-owned vehicle as a higher-quality car for sale. Certified pre-owned vehicles have been brought up to like-new condition through a factory-authorized repair program.

What to Expect When Selling a Car to a Dealership

Now you know how to sell a car to a dealership, take these steps to start the process. This process is typical for any dealership in the state, with a few minor variations.

• Make an Appointment: You can walk into a dealership and sell your car. However, it’s best to make an appointment first, so the team can prepare their staff. The dealer knows to expect you, can have the proper documents ready, and have a technician look over your vehicle. Documents may include a contract, check, and any documentation the state may need to take care of the transaction.
• Used Car Manager: Most dealerships will direct you to a used car manager or a salesperson to handle the sale. They’ll collect your information, and then, run a vehicle history report on your car. They will be the go-to person throughout the entire sale from start to finish. 
• Inspection: In some cases, the used car manager will inspect your vehicle. Or, they’ll have a service technician inspect it for quality and mechanical condition. If the team is still interested in buying your vehicle, they might deduct the costs needed to bring it up to top condition. 
• Consider the Offer: Based on what the dealership offers you, you can accept it as presented or go to another dealership to see if you can get a better one. Other factors include supply and demand for the Lafayette area or how many similar vehicles are on the lot.

Sell Your Car to Lafayette GMC!

Now you know how selling your car to a dealership works. Are you ready to trade in or sell your vehicle? Contact our finance center or call (765) 257-2942 if you’re interested in selling your current vehicle to us. We promise to give you a fair price based on the condition, mileage, age, and make/model of your car.

If you’re trading in, look over our new and used vehicle inventory to pick out a new or new-to-you vehicle to put in your garage. We’re happy to help!