6 popular places to sell a car in Calgary, Alberta

If you want to sell a used car in Calgary, there are lots of popular options available. And while you could always visit a dealership in person to trade in your vehicle, there are also several online places where you can sell your car. In this guide, we take a look at six popular places to sell a car in Calgary, how they work and their pros and cons.

• How we selected popular places to sell a car in Calgary

  We searched for automotive places in Calgary that have an established, positive online presence and offer an easy car-selling process (i.e. hassle-free and fair pricing). We excluded general marketplaces that take more effort to sell a car, such as Kijiji, Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.

6 places to sell a car in Calgary

1. Canada Drives

Online auto dealership Canada Drives allows you to obtain an online offer for your used car within minutes.

• How it works: On the “Sell/Trade” section of the Canada Drives website, type your VIN or enter your car’s year, make and model. Once you select Alberta as your province and provide details of your car’s condition, you will receive an offer in as little as two minutes. Canada Drives will then arrange a time to pick up your car.
• Cars they accept: Typically 2013 or newer models with less than 160,000km on the odometer. Rebuilds and salvages are not accepted.
• Accepts cars with a loan on it: Yes.
• Accepts cars with damage or mechanical issues: Yes (depending on the issue).
• Turnaround time: Next business day.
• Funding methods: Electronic funds transfer.
• What sellers have to say about Canada Drives: Canada Drives is rated 3.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot from over 3,400 reviews. Positive reviewers report that Canada Drives makes fair offers and provides a fast and easy way to sell a car.
• What to watch out for: Only newer cars qualify to be sold through Canada Drives.

2. Autozen

Online bidding site Autozen allows you to list your car for sale online so hundreds of dealers can compete to make the highest offer.

• How it works: Select Alberta as your province and enter your car’s year, make, model, trim and mileage. Next, organize an appointment time when an Autozen staff member can inspect your car and photograph it for an online listing. Autozen’s network of over 150 pre-qualified buyers can then compete to submit the highest bid for your car.
• Cars they accept: 2011 or newer models that have been driven less than 150,000km. Vehicles with a rebuilt status are not accepted.
• Accepts cars with a loan on it: Yes.
• Accepts cars with damage or mechanical issues: Yes (depending on the issue).
• Turnaround time: 48 hours.
• Funding methods: Interac e-Transfer or electronic funds transfer.
• What sellers have to say about Autozen: Autozen has an average of 4.6 out of 5 from over 50 Google reviews. Car sellers report their happiness with the fast and easy sales process as well as reliable customer service.
• What to watch out for: Older cars won’t qualify and an in-person appointment is required.

3. Cash 4 Cars Calgary

This professional car buying company buys all types of used cars, SUVs and trucks, including junk and scrap cars.

• How it works: Contact Cash 4 Cars Calgary by phone or by filling out an online form with your name, contact details and vehicle information. They will then contact you to arrange a time to inspect your vehicle and make an offer.
• Cars they accept: All makes and models.
• Accepts cars with a loan on it: Yes.
• Accepts cars with damage or mechanical issues: Yes.
• Turnaround time: Same day.
• Funding methods: Cash or corporate cheque.
• What sellers have to say about Cash 4 Cars Calgary: Cash 4 Cars Calgary has an average score of 4.7 out of 5 from over 400 Google reviews. Reviewers praise the business for its fast sales process and fair offers for vehicles.
• What to watch out for: Doesn’t provide instant offers.

4. AutoTrader

Online marketplace AutoTrader offers two ways to sell a used car in Calgary:

• Post an online ad.
• Sell to a car dealer using AutoTrader’s Instant Cash Offer service.
• How it works: Click the “Post Your Ad Now” link and provide vehicle information and photos. It’s free to post an ad, but paid options are available if you want to increase your ad’s visibility. You can then negotiate with people who contact you about your ad. If you’d rather use the Instant Cash Offer service, you’ll need to provide information about the condition of your vehicle to receive an online offer before taking it to a dealership near you for an inspection.
• Cars they accept: All makes and models.
• Accepts cars with a loan on it: Yes, if you’re selling to a dealer.
• Accepts cars with damage or mechanical issues: Yes (depending on the issue).
• Turnaround time: Same day if selling to a dealer.
• Funding methods: Cheque if selling to a dealer.
• What sellers have to say about AutoTrader: The AutoTrader app has an average score of 4.7 out of 5 from over 68,000 ratings on Google Play, and an average of 4.7 out of 5 from over 68,000 ratings on the App Store.
• What to watch out for: No online payment available and most dealers don’t offer car pick-up from your home.

5. Go Auto

Go Auto is an online network of car dealerships that buys all makes and models of vehicles.

• How it works: Head to the “Sell/Trade” section of the Go Auto website and enter the VIN or make and model of your car. You’ll be sent an offer by email, phone or text, and if you’re happy with the amount, you can take your car to a Go Auto dealership for an inspection and to complete the sale.
• Cars they accept: All makes and models.
• Accepts cars with a loan on it: Yes.
• Accepts cars with damage or mechanical issues: Yes.
• Turnaround time: 24 hours.
• Funding methods: Cheque.
• What sellers have to say about Go Auto: Go Auto has an average score of 4.4 out of 5 from over 2,700 Google reviews. However, many reviews are from people buying rather than selling a car through Go Auto.
• What to watch out for: Car pick-up is not available – you’ll need to take your car to a dealership for an inspection. Also, your offer may change after inspection.

6. House of Cars

House of Cars is a Calgary-based used car dealership group that can sell your car on your behalf.

• How it works: As well as trading in your vehicle when you buy a new car, House of Cars allows you to take advantage of its Park & Sell service. To get started, fill out an online form with your contact details and vehicle information, then arrange a time to have your car inspected. House of Cars will then detail your car, market it online and also provide a warranty and financing to the eventual buyer.
• Cars they accept: All cars, except rebuilt cars.
• Accepts cars with a loan on it: Not disclosed.
• Accepts cars with damage or mechanical issues: Yes.
• Turnaround time: Varies.
• Funding methods: Depends on the dealer.
• What sellers have to say about House of Cars: There are limited reviews of the Park & Sell service. However, you can check out the most recent Google reviews of your nearest House of Cars dealership to give you an idea of the service you can expect.
• What to watch out for: Home pick-up is not available, and your car will go through a full inspection before House of Cars accepts it.

What do I need to sell a used car in Calgary?

If you want to sell your car in Calgary, you’ll need to provide the following documents:

• Proof of ID. Provide your driver’s licence or passport.
• Vehicle registration. The registration papers prove that you own the vehicle.
• Bill of sale. You can download this document from the government of Alberta website.

You may also need to provide the following documents to speed up the sales process or get a better price for your vehicle:

• CARFAX report. This report shows whether your vehicle has been involved in any accidents or thefts.
• Inspection report. You can get your car inspected by a licensed mechanic so you can show buyers that it meets Alberta’s safety standards and is mechanically sound.
• Maintenance records. Keep records and receipts of regular car servicing, oil changes and other maintenance tasks to show buyers that you’ve taken good care of your vehicle.

Check out our guide to selling a car in Alberta for more useful tips.

What information should be included on the bill of sale?

You should make sure the bill of sale includes the following information:

• Both the seller and buyer’s full name and address
• Vehicle identification number (VIN)
• The vehicle’s make, model, series, style, colour and year
• How much the vehicle costs
• The date of purchase and date of agreement
• Both the seller and buyer’s signatures

• Other helpful information to include on the bill of sale

  Although it may not be necessary to include the following information, it can often be a good idea to help avoid any potential issues in the future:

  • Odometer reading at the time of sale
  • Contact information (phone or email, etc.) for all people involved
  • Any liens currently on the vehicle
  • Payment method (cash, bank transfer, cheque, money order, etc.) and
  • Any payment terms and whether or not the vehicle was paid for in full at the time of selling
  • Where the vehicle was most recently registered
  • Any special conditions of the sale
  • Signatures of witnesses to the sale

How to find out how much your used car is worth in Calgary

If you want to find out how much your car is worth, there are several resources at your disposal.

The first step, however, is to gather a range of important details, including the following:

• Your car’s make, model and year
• Your car’s VIN
• Kilometres travelled
• Your car’s colour
• The condition of your vehicle

You can then use this information to find out how much your car is worth on car value estimator sites like Canadian Black Book, CARFAX and AutoTrader. You can also research listings on car sales websites to find out how much similar vehicles are selling for in your area.

Another option is to get your car’s value appraised by a professional appraiser. Rather than approaching a car dealership, where they’ll likely have the ulterior motive of offering you the lowest possible trade-in price, seek out an independent appraiser to get an accurate estimate of value.

Frequently asked questions

• How can I sell my car in Calgary?

  There are several ways to sell a used car in Calgary. In addition to the traditional approach of trading it in when you visit a dealership, you can also sell your car online in the following ways:

  • Post an ad on an online marketplace
  • Sell it to an online car dealership
  • Sell it on an online bidding site
  • Sell it to a professional car buying company

• Should I sell my car in Calgary privately or to a dealer?

  It depends on whether you want the best deal or a simple sales process. You can typically make more money when you sell your car privately, but trading your current car in at a dealership when you buy a new car is a quick and convenient option.

• How do I sell my junk car in Calgary?

  There are several scrap car removal services in Calgary that will buy your junk car and tow it away. Compare a range of companies to find fast service and the best price.

Written by

Tim Falk

Writer

Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, he has reported on a wide range of personal finance topics. Whether you're investing in stocks and ETFs, comparing savings accounts or choosing a credit card, Tim wants to make it easier for you to understand. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors. See full bio

Co-written by

Chelsey Hurst

Publisher

Chelsey Hurst is a publisher at Finder, specializing in banking and investments. She loves empowering people to avoid financial pitfalls and make better decisions with their money. Chelsey has a Bachelor of Science from Redeemer University, a Master of Science from McMaster University, and has won multiple awards for research communication. In her spare time, Chelsey enjoys cooking and taking long walks in nature. See full bio