How to Sell a Car in California

Have a car that you’ve been trying to get off your hands, but don’t know how to sell a car in California? There are two primary options for selling your vehicle. You can either sell to a private party or sell to a dealership. Both methods of selling involve different steps. To help you determine which one is right for you, Mercedes-Benz of Laguna Niguel breaks down how to sell a car in California to both a private buyer and dealership in the guide below!

How Do I Sell a Car in California Privately?

Selling a vehicle to a private seller in Orange County can go both ways: either you sell off your car quickly, or it can take months. Ultimately, your mileage will vary. Here are the steps on how to sell a car in California to a private party:

1. Pricing: Determine what your vehicle is worth in your area. You can check Kelley Blue Book and other sites to get an estimate of your vehicle’s value, but you have the final say in your vehicle’s price.
2. Advertising: From Craigslist to Facebook Marketplace, there are so many ways you can advertise your vehicle online. Be sure to provide high-resolution photos of the exterior and interior of your vehicle and any information highlighting features of your car.
3. Appointments: Schedule a time and place to meet with potential buyers to answer any questions. Of course, always choose a location where you feel comfortable and meet during the daytime, if possible. Have buyers test drive the car during this time.
4. Paperwork: Once you’ve found someone who is set on purchasing your vehicle, it’s time to transfer ownership. Gather the title and the signature of the seller and lienholder (if applicable), and the buyer’s signature. Visit your local DMV in Aliso Viejo or Mission Viejo to start the process.
5. Smog Certification: To register a vehicle in California, your vehicle must pass a smog check at a STAR station. Keep in mind that some vehicles are exempt, such as EVs and newer models. See the California DMV site for more information.
6. Vehicle Inspection: Usually, buyers will pay for a vehicle inspection to ensure that no major issues go undetected. That’s why you should provide a vehicle history report to any potential buyers upon request.
7. Pay Fees: Beyond the transfer fees, you may need to pay fees like duplicate title, transfer, use tax, registration, and more.
8. Buyer Paperwork: You and the buyer will need to fill out form REG 262, or the Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment. Be sure to have the lienholder release form ready if necessary.
9. Submit Paperwork: Submit your transfer documents to the DMV, or fill out the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability online.​​You must have the seller’s full name, address, VIN number, and license plate numbers.

How Can I Sell My Car FAST in California?

Feeling overwhelmed by reading the steps on how to sell your car to a private seller? We don’t blame you. Selling to a private party in Aliso Viejo can not only be frustrating, but it can also be TIMELY. So, you might be asking yourself, “How can I sell my car FAST in California?” The quickest way to sell your car is by going through a dealership that purchases used cars, like Mercedes-Benz of Laguna Niguel. All you have to do is:

1. Calculate your vehicle’s trade-in value ahead of time to get an idea of how much you can expect to get.
2. Clean up your vehicle from the inside and out and take care of minor repairs that are inexpensive to fix, like scratches or worn-out windshield wipers (don’t worry about any major repairs)
3. Gather the necessary items (keys, titles, vehicle history report, etc.),
4. Schedule an appraisal at our dealer in Laguna Niguel!

Once your appraisal is all said and done, we’ll give you an offer that you can either accept, reject, or negotiate. If you do accept the offer, you can put that cash towards a new vehicle or pre-owned car within our inventory. It’s that easy!

Sell Your Car to Mercedes-Benz of Laguna Niguel!

Save yourself the stress of selling your car to private sellers in Mission Viejo when you take your business to Mercedes-Benz of Laguna Niguel. Have any questions on how to sell your car in California? Don’t hesitate to contact us online or give us a call at 949-877-3942 today.