Selling a car on eBay is not much different from selling any other item. However, some extra steps are added in order to protect yourself and the person who will be purchasing your car. First of all, if you have never registered you will need to open an account with eBay. Once that part of the job is over, you will have to gather together all relevant information about your car. Just the title and registration may not be enough, you should try and gather maintenance and repair receipts as well.
The next step consists of taking photos. It is often suggested that it is better if you take as many photos as possible. Take photos of all four sides of your car, close ups of any body damage, the engine compartment, and also the interior. Include a photo of the odometer reading also. Remember that photos should be well focused and free of any distractions. Otherwise, the attention of your viewers will move away from the car. In most cases, satisfactory results can be obtained if you take the photograph on a slightly overcast day in an empty parking lot.
Having completed the photo session, it is now time to begin your listing, and move on to the eBay Motors page. You will be required to enter the VIN and complete a checklist of information about your car. You should be thorough as well as completely honest when writing your description. It should include a complete description of the vehicle, including any damage not visible in the photographs; any options or modifications not covered in the checklist; a description of any mechanical problems; information about replacement of any major components, including information on any special circumstances i.e. car was garaged, non-smoking driver, no pets, etc.; maintenance records, indicating that they are available; and the status of the title, warranty, and inspection.
Your terms for the eBay auction or Buy It Now option should clearly spell out what form of payment you will accept and when it will be due. In general, the seller should expect to receive a deposit within 3 days of the transaction. You should be clear about the amount and method of deposit you require as well as what form of payment you will accept for the balance and who is responsible for picking up vehicle. Normally the seller is responsible for arranging and paying for any shipping service, but you can pass that cost onto the buyer. You should ensure that you clearly spell that out in your terms.
In the course of your listing, get yourself ready for several interested buyers asking questions about the car. Do not forget to check your email frequently and respond to them quickly and courteously.
If you can successfully sell your car on eBay, you will be required to work out final arrangements with the buyer for payment and pick up. More often than not, buyers prefer to pick up their car in person. However if a shipping service is required, you should make sure that you and your buyer agree upon a licensed bonded service. The final step in the transaction is transferring of the title. As the rules are different in different states, it is better if you first check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles regarding their policies.
