Whether you want to trade in your car for something newer or sell it outright, selling your car to a dealer near Altamonte Springs is a straightforward option to help you get a competitive offer. In this guide, Subaru North Orlando provides tips for how to sell a car to a dealer, from getting you and your car ready for the transaction, to what to expect at the dealership. Read below to learn more, and contact us with any questions or to schedule an appointment at our Sanford dealership.

How to Prep for Selling Your Car to a Dealer

Selling your car to a dealer in the Lake Mary area is an easy process: 

  • Clean Up Your Car: Having your car washed and detailed and replacing small parts like windshield wipers or floor mats is a great way to increase the value of your vehicle before you bring it to the dealership. 
  • Write Down Your Car's Benefits: Having a detailed history of the maintenance record of your vehicle, a list of its additional features, and a list of its accessories like extra key fobs or bike mounts will increase the value of your vehicle and make it more appealing to dealerships. 
  • Have Your Car's Title Ready: Having your vehicle's title ready when you sell it will save time on the dealer's end and get you your offer faster. 
  • 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. You can use this number to negotiate your price or get an approximate value for what the dealer is willing to buy your car for.
  • Pick Your Dealership Wisely: If you have a newer, gently used vehicle, most Orlando dealerships will buy it regardless of their inventory or the car's initial condition. However, if you have an older model car, you may find it easier to sell it at a used car dealership instead.

What to Expect at the Dealership

After preparing your car for sale, you can expect the rest of the process to go as follows: 

  • Make an Appointment: While you can walk into a dealership and sell your car, it's best to make an appointment so the dealer knows to expect you and can have the proper documents ready. 
  • 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. 
  • Inspection: In some cases, the Used Car Manager will inspect your vehicle, or they'll have it taken to their service center for an inspection of its quality and mechanical condition. 
  • Consider the Offer: Based on what the dealership offers you, you can accept the offer or go to another dealership to see if you can get a better offer. 

Get a Competitive Offer at Subaru North Orlando!

We hope this guide on how to sell a car to a dealer has helped you. If you're looking for a dealership that has your back when selling or trading your vehicle, visit us in Sanford. We practice transparency at every step, so you feel empowered when making decisions. Our team hopes to work with you soon!