If you're ready to say goodbye to your current car and get into something new, you'll probably want to sell your current car, either to a dealer, individual, or third party, and use the proceeds to help fund your new purchase. While the process of selling a car is different in every state, it's fairly straightforward in Oregon and even easier when you sell to a licensed dealer like Tonkin. If you still want to learn the process for selling your car in Portland, Gresham, or anywhere else in Oregon, keep reading!
Research Your Car's Value
Knowing what your car is worth is the best defense against getting ripped off, so be sure to research a fair price for your car before you list it. Researching the price to list your car is also a good way to ensure you're not overpricing it.
There are a lot of ways to research your car's value. A common method is to use Kelley Blue Book's used car valuation tool, which asks questions about the vehicle's age, trim, and condition and estimates its value.
Remember that any estimate you get for your car's value is just that—it's not a guarantee as to what you can expect when you sell. It can give you an idea of the ballpark to expect.
Get Your Car Ready for Sale
No matter how you're planning to sell your car, you'll benefit from doing the following to get it in selling shape:
- Clean it, inside and out. Consider having it professionally detailed—you'll likely make that expense back in the final sale.
- Fix any mechanical issues. Anything your buyer will have to pay for after they purchase the car will come out of their offer to you.
- Gather and organize all of your vehicle's documentation. This includes maintenance records, the owner's manual, and any other paperwork. If your car had a lien that's been paid off, you must remove it from your Oregon vehicle's title within 30 days.
Allow the Buyer to Have the Car Inspected
Most private buyers will pay for a pre-purchase vehicle inspection conducted by a qualified auto mechanic. Even though the buyer pays for the inspection, you must agree on when and where it will happen.
If the inspection does find any issues with your car, keep the report for your records—and either repair the damage or include it in future listings.
Transfer the Car's Title
The title of any car is the document attesting to its ownership. If you're the only person on the title, you'll simply sign it and have your buyer do the same.
You'll also need to disclose the odometer reading as part of the sale, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rules. There are a few exceptions, but it's always smart to include the information.
After the purchase is complete, the buyer has 30 days to submit an Oregon Application for Title and Registration.
Remove Your License Plates and Notify the DMV
Before you drive away, remove the license plates from the vehicle unless you're transferring them to another car.
If you don't, you could be blamed for traffic violations the new owner commits. That's why it's important to notify the Oregon DMV within 10 days of the sale.
Tonkin Buy Center Makes It Easy to Sell Your Car!
Selling your car in Oregon doesn't have to be complicated. At Tonkin Buy Center, you can sell your car for cash or roll the value into a new vehicle from one of our many Oregon dealerships.
All you need is your VIN to get a real-time offer in seconds—we'll cut you a check and handle all the paperwork.