Buying & Selling Used Vehicles For Consumers

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Canadian Consumers frequently ask us "how do I sell my car online?", so we decided to setup this page of helpful tips. If you are buying or selling a new or used vehicle MotoSeller.com's advertising network can help! If you're selling a car, truck, motorcycle, boat, RV, ATV, classic or old car, aircraft or heavy equipment we have a specialized category for you. We feel our affordable advertising, extensive Internet reach and helpful tips will make your next sale or purchase an easy one :-) If you are a Dealer click here!

Selling Tips

If you wish to advertise your vehicle for sale on MotoSeller.com we have a number of tips you should put to practice in order to get a quick sale and maximum value out of your vehicle. Buyers start your search here!

1. Signs & Flyers

If anything, you'll want to put a "For Sale Sign" for your vehicle's window! You can buy these from a local store or if you already have an ad listed with us you can create a custom For Sale sign free of charge from within your account. Remember to park your vehicle in a high people traffic area (like near a shopping mall entrance) to get the most inquires.

You can also do the same to create a custom "For Sale Flyer" to display in local grocery stores, community & recreation centers, golf courses, churches, college campuses... anywhere you might find an announcement or bulletin board that allows advertising! Auto For Sale Signs & Flyers are free to all sellers using our network. Sell Your Vehicle Today!

Buyers who see it can go to the website and view the details of your vehicle 24/7! Remember to park your vehicle in a high people traffic area (like near a shopping mall entrance) to get the most inquires. Buyers can "tear off" you contact info.

2. Use A Photo

A good photo can improve response by 150% or more! Take one with a digital camera or ask your local photo finishing shop to make a few jpeg's (from a hard copy) for you on a disk or cd. From within your account you can add up to 15 photos plus descriptions anytime. Be sure to take trunk and engine shots, it's also best to come clean with closeup shots of any damaged areas.

3. Set The Right Price

You know how much you want for your vehicle, but do you know how realistic that price really is? The Canadian used car price? Find out what your car is really worth using » The Kelley Blue Book (US). Check the price of used vehicles in your area with » Edmunds True Market Value (US) finder. Find the trade-in value and suggested retail price at the » IntelliChoice CarCenter (US) or finally » search through our website for vehicles matching yours and see what others are asking.

State in your description that the price is OBO (or best offer) - this might convince buyers to call or email you if the price is close to their budget. This will also give you the opportunity to justify the price and negotiate the sale.

4. Disclose Vehicle History

Show potential buyers you are trustworthy and put their mind at ease by giving them a » Canadian CarProof Vehicle History Report or a » Carfax Vehicle History Report on your vehicle. Prove to them that you and your vehicle have nothing to hide!

In Ontario, for example, you will need to know "what paperwork do I have to complete if I want to sell my used vehicle privately?"

Private sellers of motor vehicles are legally obliged to provide buyers with a Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP). This package contains the vehicle's registration history in Ontario, vehicle lien information (i.e. whether there were any outstanding debts on the vehicle in Ontario up until two business days before the UVIP was purchased), average wholesale value on which the minimum tax owed is based and other information dealing with vehicle safety standards, retail sales tax and forms for an affidavit and bill of sale.

The Used Vehicle Information Package costs $20. It is available from all Ministry of Transportation Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Offices. It is also available by calling the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services, Personal Property Security Registration Branch, which enables consumers to use their VISA or MasterCard to order the package. From the Toronto area, call (416) 325-8847; from elsewhere in the province, use our toll-free line -- 1-800-267-8847. There is also a TTY number, 416-326-8866, for the speech/hearing impaired.

For more information on Buying, Selling or Transferring Used Vehicles, to order a Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP), or for a copy of the brochure Buying and Selling a Used Vehicle in Ontario (*pdf), visit the Ministry of Transportation website at www.mto.gov.on.ca

*Ontario information from cbs.gov.on.ca

Always check your local Provincial website for similar regulations.

3. Lemon Check

Determine if your car has a lemon classification. If it has favorable ratings, then prove it to potential buyers. This service has become the defacto standard in doing a quick check on a used car » Carfax Lemon Check! or » CarProof vehicle history report!

5. Good Presentation

Perceived value goes a long way! Tidy up your car before you sell it. First impressions are everything! Wash the entire body, clean the windows and give it a good wax job. Clean ash trays and throw out garbage, vacuum & air freshen the inside & trunk, shine the rims, hub caps and tires to a blinding glow.

6. Extended Advertising

Even though you want to sell your car online, another effective option is to use your MotoSeller.com Ad No. to market your vehicle beyond our website. Buyers can be pulled to your online ad from other online classifieds, as well as from traditional advertising like in your local newspaper. Hold your description to a minimum while leading buyers to more descriptive online details and photos. You can measure your success by the number of page views your ad receives.

Newspaper Example:

"99 Ford Explorer, Exc Cond.
$19k/obo. Call 555-5555 or
MotoSeller.com # 55555

When logged in use our metrics to see the number of times someone has replied to your ad, the number of times someone has viewed your ad and the number of times someone "told a friend" about your ad.

7. Maximizing Inquiries

As mentioned above, when you view your ad detail page, or log into your account we show you the number of ad views your ad has received since posted. This information can be used by you to decide what changes might be useful. For example, if the ad views show that a lot of people have been looking at your ad, but you're not getting enough inquiries, maybe you need to add a photo or the current photo needs to be replaced with a better one, or maybe you need to adjust the asking price slightly - check the selling price in your area (US only) and/or appraised used car values right here. If the ad views are low you may need to change your headline to attract more clickthroughs!

7. Showing The Vehicle

If you try to sell used car online you'll still need to show the vehicle. Meet in an agreed upon public area and try to take someone with you. Safety in numbers. Be honest with potential buyers about any serious problems or repairs. Produce a vehicle history report or show your regular maintenance records. If your buyer wants to take a test drive, make sure he/she has a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Dress respectably. If you don’t appear to take good care of yourself, your buyer may feel that is how you treated your car as well!

8. Closing The Sale

Write a receipt for you and your buyer with signatures on both copies. Include a statement that the car is being bought "as is". Include all pertinent info on the receipt so the terms of the deal cannot be misinterpreted. Keep the receipt for your records. It will establish the date of sale and help protect you from any future liability. Accept only a certified check or money order and then sign the title over to the buyer. Check with your province’s DMV to ensure you’ve complied with all the laws.

Buying Tips

1. Lemon Check

Determine if the seller's car has lemon classification. This service has become the defacto standard in doing a quick check on a used car before you buy » Carfax Lemon Check!

2. Vehicle History

Put your mind at ease. Order a » Canadian CarProof Vehicle History Report or a » Carfax Vehicle History Report... your best protection against buying a used car with costly, hidden problems. (only needed if seller does not provide this for you)

3. Do Some Research

You know how much you want to spend on a vehicle, but do you know how realistic that "deal" really is? The Canadian used car price? Find out what a car is really worth using » The Kelley Blue Book (US). Check the price of that used vehicle in your area with » Edmunds True Market Value (US) finder. Find the trade-in value and suggested retail price at the » IntelliChoice CarCenter (US)or finally » search through our website and see what sellers are asking for similar vehicles.

For most Canadian's using the above means you have to do the US exchange rate to guesstimate the value of the Canadian used car price or you could compare Canadian Black Book pricing. Our friends at GM Canada have direct access to appraised used car values right here. These links launch a new window which originates from www.canadianblackbook.com. When you purchase a vehicle, you should expect pricing a little over what you find in the Canadian Black Book, as prices for vehicles being sold are usually be a bit higher.

4. The Test Drive

If you try to buy a used car online you'll still need to see the vehicle. Meet in an agreed upon public area and try to take someone with you. Safety in numbers. Ask the seller about any serious problems or repairs. Ask for a car fax vehicle history report or Canadian CarProof Vehicle History Report (or get one yourself if you know their VIN). Ask them to show you their maintenance records. Bring a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.

5. Closing The Sale

Make sure the seller writes a receipt for both of you with signatures on both copies. The seller will likely include a statement that the car is being bought "as is" so make sure you are comfortable with this. Ask to have all the pertinent information on the receipt so the terms of the deal cannot be misinterpreted. Keep the receipt for your records. Be prepared to supply a certified check or money order and then ask the seller to sign the title over to you. Check with your province’s DMV to ensure you’ve complied with all the laws.

Avoiding Scams

Car, truck, boat and motorcycle buyers & sellers, particularly those in the market for used vehicles, have flocked to the Internet in recent years to search for killer deals on “pre-owned” wheels. Market Research estimates that nearly 30 percent of the 42.6 million used cars that changed hands in the North America last year were bought using the Internet.

As most of us know, used-car buying is a business that has traditionally created a bad name for itself. But while consumers and ethical auto dealers have benefited greatly from the Internet, so too have crooked buyers & sellers. As such, you need to be aware of potential scams. Here are some of the most common ones directed toward buyers & sellers online:

Certified Check Scams - This scam is often perpetrated on sellers of used cars over the Internet thorough classified ads and auctions. A buyer indicates that he wants to buy the car and pay with a cashier's check. At the last minute, the buyer creates a reason why he needs to write the check for more money and have the seller wire him the difference. The check turns out to be a fake, but it is often discovered long after the seller has wired the money. In addition, the seller is responsible for covering the money for the fake check. To avoid check scams, call the issuing bank before you accept the check and wait for the check to clear before you transfer the car into the buyer's name.

Bogus Escrow Services - Online vehicle sellers often use escrow services, which collect and verify payment from a buyer. The money is held by the service until all parties are satisfied with the sale. There have been some instances of phony escrow services operating on the Internet. Make the transaction through a reputable third party escrow service, perhaps an escrow account with a law firm of your choice or www.escrow.com. Some Fraud sites often claim they are recommended by eBay, eBay Motors, or Yahoo! Auctions. You may see the list of sites eBay actually recommends by clicking here. Make sure you check out an escrow service with SOS4Auctions.com or escrowfraud.com. They catalog the good and bad services.

The best way to avoid most scams is to make sure you never transfer ownership of your vehicle until you have the cash in your hand. That means, you either get cash from the buyer or wait for the cashier's check to clear. Avoid buyers who will never meet you or never wish to see the vehicle in person (overseas). Avoid taking personal checks and allowing buyers to pay the car off over time. If buying, always verify the seller actually has/owns the item for sale and meet them face-to-face to view the vehicle . If you follow these few precautions, your buying and selling experience should go smoothly. More on scams and safety...