There are many sites to sell your used car, but they lack transactional infrastructure. From Craigslist to Facebook Marketplace, listings sites give you an audience of buyers but leave the heavy lifting to you when it comes to getting the deal done.

PrivateAuto is the only transactional automotive marketplace with self-serve technological solutions for every aspect of the deal, from scheduling the test drive to getting paid.

Whether you are selling an electric vehicle, a minivan, or a Honda CR-V you’ll want to do it online.

Here are the most popular online marketplaces:


We call these sites "meetingplaces" because they introduce you to prospective buyers and leave the two of you to navigate all the complexities of the transaction on your own.

Whether you are selling an electric vehicle, a minivan, or a Honda CR-V you’ll want to do it online.

Here are the most popular online marketplaces:


Key Tips for Success Once You List


Closing the Sale and Getting Paid Safely


The Private Auto Advantage
Our standard why PA is the best section

PrivateAuto is the world’s only transactional automotive marketplace. We bring self-serve tech solutions to every phase of the deal. Let’s see how we stack up against our competitors.

If you want to sell your car on Facebook Marketplace, CarGurus, Craigslist, or any of the other listing sites, we don’t blame you for wanting maximum exposure. But we still want you to have transactional security and convenience, even if you aren't listing a car on our platform. That’s why we developed DealNow.

DealNow allows you to start a deal anywhere and finish it on PrivateAuto. Our fast-track deal flow includes convenient scheduling, electronic docu-signing, and instantaneous and fee-free payment transfers. Just create your private dealroom, invite the private buyer, and get the deal done.

Get your deal started now!

You can’t sell your car without its title and other key documents. Dig out your paperwork well in advance so you aren’t scrambling to find them when you need them most.

While different states may require different documents, these are the ones you’ll typically need when selling your car:

1. Certificate of Title
2. Vehicle history report (optional but recommended)
3. Bill of sale (mandatory in some states, recommended in all)
4. Release of liability form
5. Odometer disclosure form

Your car’s title is the most important document. It proves you’re the owner, and after you sign over the title, it will prove that the buyer is the new owner.

If you’ve forgotten where you’ve stored your title, give yourself some time to find it before listing your car for sale.

If you can’t find it, get a replacement title ASAP.

Replacing a lost vehicle title is a straightforward process:

1. Contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles or visit their website to begin the replacement title application.
2. There is typically a minor fee of around $25 to get a duplicate title.
3. You'll need to provide your ID, VIN, current registration, and possibly an odometer disclosure statement with the current mileage.
4. After applying, the DMV will mail you a new title, typically within 2 weeks.
5. Once you have the replacement title in hand, you can sign it over to the buyer when selling your car, just like with any other title transfer.

A vehicle history report is not mandatory, but it gives potential buyers peace of mind. It covers ownership history and service records and demonstrates how well you’ve cared for your car.

We provide a vehicle history report for all premium listings when you sell your car on PrivateAuto.

Here are some reasons why a vehicle history report is such a good idea:

1. It demonstrates you have nothing to hide. Providing a report shows transparency and proactively addresses any concerns about the vehicle's history.
2. It builds trust and credibility as a seller. A detailed report proves you're forthcoming about the car's background.
3. It verifies maintenance and repairs. A history report lists service records, oil changes, major repairs, and other work.
4. It can justify your asking price. Documentation of new tires, battery, regular maintenance, etc. helps support pricing.
5. It highlights that the car was well cared for. Regular servicing and repairs indicate responsible ownership.
6. It can ease buyer concerns about accidents or damage. The report documents any collisions or insurance claims.
7. It avoids headaches later if issues arise. A thorough history provides proof if questions arise after purchase.
8. It makes your car stand out. Providing a report shows your willingness to go the extra mile as a seller.

Many states require a bill of sale when you legally relinquish ownership of a vehicle to another person.

Whether or not your state requires it, a bill of sale is a really smart idea. It protects you in case the buyer ever wants to contest the sale or any of the specifics of the sale. It memorializes the VIN, selling price, vehicle mileage, and other key details—and it has the buyer’s signature.

PrivateAuto makes the bill of sale easy. You and the buyer review the transaction details, then digitally sign the bill of sale in the PrivateAuto mobile app. You always have it as a record in your PrivateAuto account

File a release of liability form when selling privately. This notifies your state that you no longer own the vehicle. It protects you from legal and financial liability for the car after the transfer. It releases you from responsibility if the vehicle is damaged or involved in an accident after you close the sale.

Per the federal Truth in Mileage Act, private sellers must reveal in writing the exact mileage of the car at the moment of transfer of ownership. Never round up or estimate when filling out this document.

Both you and the buyer will need to sign the odometer disclosure at the time of sale.

Many car sellers don’t think about the process of getting paid—until they reach that stage of the transaction and realize that it’s not exactly easy. The transfer of funds can often slow a deal down and make the whole process more cumbersome.

There haven’t been a lot of great forms of payment when selling a car—until now. Previous payment methods have serious drawbacks:

1. Cash: inconvenient and risky.
2. Check: inconvenient and slow.
3. Bank transfer: inconvenient, expensive, and slow.
4. Peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo or Paypal: transaction limits, sometimes fees.
5. Escrow service: inconvenient, slow, expensive.

The only hassle-free and safe way to get paid is PrivateAuto Pay.

1. Your PrivateAuto Pay account is a bank account that you own, accessed via your PrivateAuto profile.
2. Easily move money between your PrivateAuto Pay account and your external bank account via a balance transfer.
3. Receive up to $1 million instantly from the seller into your PrivateAuto Pay account.
4. Instant payments arrive any time of day, every day of the year.
5. No exchange of contact information or banking info.
6. Encrypted info protects your data from hackers.
7. Conclude the entire transaction when you meet the buyer for a test drive.
8. Sell a car to a remote buyer and forgo costly and inconvenient escrow services.