The steps for how to sell a car in BC will depend on whether you’re selling privately or through an in-person or online dealer. Keep reading to learn more about the process for selling your car with each type of buyer and get tips on how to get the best offer. You can also use our ready-made checklist to help you navigate the ins and outs of selling a car in BC.
Whether you’re selling your car privately or to a dealership, here are the documents you’ll need to provide.
Follow these steps to sell a car privately in BC:
Search your car on sites like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, Consumer Reports or AutoTrader. Look for vehicles that are the same make and model, with a similar condition and number of kilometres. Read our article to learn more about how much your car is worth.
Clean your car inside and out and then organize a photo shoot. Make sure you take pictures from several angles, with close-ups of any special features. Aim to take photos in a nice location, preferably on a sunny day.
Upload your photos and write a compelling ad to sell your car. Include details such as the make, model, number of kilometres, how long you’ve had the vehicle, its key features and any issues to be aware of.
List your car with an online marketplace such as AutoTrader, Craigslist, Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace or Used.ca. It often helps to crosspost across several sites to make sure you’re reaching the largest number of people. You can also list your car with an online bidding site such as Autozen to choose from more offers.
Do your best to respond quickly to buyers and set up timely appointments to show your car. You may want to use a site like Facebook Marketplace to have more control over who contacts you if you have privacy concerns.
Invite interested buyers to see your vehicle at your home or in a public place. Go with them to test drive the vehicle, and make sure you take a photo of their licence and get them to leave collateral.
Before you hand over any documents or keys, make sure to secure payment for your car. You can usually accept cash or a bank draft. Do not accept personal cheques.
If the buyer goes ahead with the sale, you’ll have to give them the original copy of your signed registration and a completed Transfer/Tax form (you can print this from ICBC or pick it up from an Autoplan broker).
Remove your licence plates and contact your insurance company to end your policy. Keep the seller’s copy of the registration in your records just in case any issues with the sale come up.
Go with the buyer to an Autoplan broker to hand in your signed registration and Transfer/Tax form. Your buyer can also bring these documents in alone, but it can be easier if you go along to help with any issues.
You can easily sell your car to a dealership in BC by following these steps:
Decide how much (or little) you’re willing to accept and be prepared to shop around if your dealer tries to lowball you. Search for your car on sites like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds to figure out its market value. You can also get free quotes from online dealers such as Clutch and Canada Drives or online bidding sites such as Autozen and AutoTrader.
Search for local dealers on Google to see which ones have a solid reputation. Get multiple quotes so you can pick out the best offer. In-person dealers will usually require you to drive your car to their location to complete an inspection, while online dealers and bidding sites can send a representative to your home.
A dealer representative will inspect the interior and exterior of your car. Their offer may change if they find mechanical issues that weren’t disclosed before. However, watch out for dealers that want to lowball you by using alleged mechanical issues as an excuse.
If you want to proceed with the sale, you’ll have to give the dealer the original copy of your signed registration. You’ll also need to complete and sign the Transfer/Tax form. The dealer will likely have this form ready for you.
Before you hand over any of your documents or your keys, make sure to secure payment. Most dealers will pay in cash, certified cheque, EFT or e-Transfer.
Remove your licence plates and call your insurance company to end your policy. You’ll also want to keep your copy of the registration in your records just in case any issues with the sale come up.
Follow these tips for how to sell a car in BC and get the best price:
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The process for how to sell a car in BC is fairly simple, but you’ll have to follow different steps when selling a car privately in BC vs selling a car with a dealership. The only documents you need to sell your car in BC are a signed copy of your registration and a completed Transfer/Tax form.
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