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Best Ways to Sell a Car in Virginia
Peddle
Get your free offer instantly via online form or call on (855) 925 4302
$0 fees + you don’t have to pay for towing – Peddle will take care of it
Get paid in check during the pick up for any car (damaged, junk, wrecked)
Wheelzy
Quick car evaluation without the hassle – sell your car within 30 min
Choose a convenient date and time for free pick-up, as soon as next day
Get cash in hand the same day the Wheelzy agent picks up your car
CarBrain
Get an offer within 2 minutes and sell your damaged car within 48 hours
Free vehicle towing and no fees to getting rid of your damaged car
The tow truck driver will arrive with your check (nationwide service)
How to Sell a Car in Virginia?
There are three main ways to sell your car in Virginia:
Jump to: Sell Car Privately
Jump to: Sell Car to Car Buying Website
Jump to: Sell Car to Dealership
PrivatelyCar Buying WebsiteDealershipTurnaround7-14 days24-72 hours7-10 daysEffort neededMostFill online formVisit officeBest forUsed carsJunk and old carsMostly new cars
Sell Car Privately in Virginia
Step 1: Get Your Car Ready for the Photoshoot
Creating an appealing web listing is the first step towards selling your automobile privately. So get your vehicle photoshoot-ready to increase your chances of attracting buyers. Here’s how to go about it:
Remove garbage
Remove your personal items
Vacuum the seats and floor mats
Have your automobile washed properly
After that, photograph your car from various angles to highlight its appearance and features.
Step 2: List Your Car for Sale Online
After you’ve taken some photos, it’s time to put your automobile up for sale. Your listing should contain a few photographs and a brief description of your car’s features and condition to attract serious buyers.
Here are the top three websites for listing your car in Virginia:
In Virginia, you can sell up to 5 total vehicles within 12 consecutive month time period as a private seller. If you want to sell more than 5 vehicles in a year, you’ll have to become a licensed and authorized dealer in Virginia.
Step 3: Arrange a Test Drive
When you have a serious buyer, they might want to test drive your vehicle before finalizing the deal. Make sure your schedule is open enough to accommodate the test drive. I highly suggest you meet the buyer in a public area, such as street parking, to ensure your safety. You should also request the buyer’s driver’s license and evidence of auto insurance.
Step 4: Agree to a Car Inspection (If Asked)
If you have a serious buyer, they may want to have the car appraised by a third party before making a purchase. So agree to get your automobile inspected; the buyer will pay for the inspection.
You may also provide a Bumper Vehicle History Report to establish reliability. This report will uncover the actual value of your car by revealing any accident or flood damage histories.
Step 5: Gather Paperwork
Title
A proper vehicle title is required when selling an automobile in Virginia. If you misplaced your vehicle title, you’d need to obtain a replacement in order to complete the transaction.
You can apply for a new title online or complete the “Application for Replacement and Substitute Titles” form (VSA 67). You’ll also have to pay the $15 replacement title charge.
Note that if you have a lien on your vehicle, you won’t be able to obtain a new title since it will be given to the lienholder. You also can’t sell your automobile if you still owe money on it, so make sure you pay it off before making any efforts to sell.
Bill of Sale
Although the Virginia DMV doesn’t mention a car Bill of Sale, you should still prepare one and fill it out to ensure you have a record of the transaction.
To produce your own automobile Bill of Sale in Virginia, you may use an online template and ensure that both you and the buyer fill it out. Remember to make a duplicate for yourself.
Step 6: Remove the License Plates
You should remove the license plates when selling a car in Virginia. If your automobile registration is more than six months old, you may be entitled to a partial refund for vehicle registration. Fill out the Application for Vehicle Registration Refund Form (FMS-2010) and submit it with your license plates.
Step 7: Report the Sale to the Virginia DMV
To ensure that you are free of all liabilities, report the sale of the car to the Virginia DMV. You can do so online or by phone at (804) 497-7100. Also, tell your auto insurance company that you’ve sold your vehicle.
Step 8: Cancel Auto Insurance
To prevent incurring any further payments, cancel your motor insurance after the deal is completed.
Sell Car to Car Buying Website in Virginia
Selling your old vehicle to car-buying websites like Peddle, CarBrain and Wheelzy is an excellent alternative to explore if you want to get cash for it within 48 hours. Simply complete an online application with your vehicle information to get an instant quote. You’ll have 7 days to consider the offer and notify the company of your decision.
If you accept the offer, you can set a pickup date with a company representative. Pickups in Virginia usually take place within 48 hours of accepting the offer. The agent will come to your driveway to collect your vehicle and pay you immediately.
Peddle
Peddle Summary
Sell used, damaged or junk car nationwideGet instant quote on (855) 925 4302Free towing within 48 hours after offerReceive payment upon car collection
How Much Will Peddle Pay for Your Car in Virginia?
The table below shows a few of the cars Peddle has recently purchased in Virginia:
MakeYearOffer ValueFord (Freestyle)2007$355Mercury (Cougar)1999$285Honda (Accord)1994$245
Wheelzy
Wheelzy Summary
Wheelzy stores are open 7 days a weekGet offer in minutes – (855) 510-1108Free towing of your car from your locationInstant payment via cash or check
How Much Will Wheelzy Pay for Your Car in Virginia?
Here are a few examples of Wheelzy’s recent purchases:
MakeYearMileageOffer ValueFord (Escape)2006Under 150,000$250Cadillac (STS)2005Under 200,000$200Chevrolet (Tahoe)2002Under 250,000$350
CarBrain
CarBrain Summary
Get an online offer within 2 minutesGet cash for your car in under 48 hoursCarBrain buys cars in over 7 conditionsUp to 7 days to accept CarBrain’s offer
How Much Will CarBrain Pay for Your Car in Virginia?
The table below shows a few of the cars CarBrain has recently purchased in Virginia:
MakeMileageYearConditionOffer ValueJeep (CJ7)100,0001983Mechanical Damage: Transmission$1,850Toyota (Tacoma)225,0002001Mechanical Damage: Engine$1,850Lexus (LX 470)281,0002001It starts and drive.$1,650
Sell Car to Dealership
If your automobile is brand new and you need urgent cash, go to a nearby dealership and request a price offer. The dealer will undertake a brief inspection and make you an offer on your vehicle. If the deal is fair for you, accept it, leave the car at the dealership, and go home with cash or a check in hand.
Pro tip: Visit at least two dealerships and negotiate over the price. Then, accept the highest offer to get the most for your vehicle.
Best dealerships in Virginia:
Sell Car in Virginia FAQ
How do you let DMV know I sold my car in Virginia?
You must notify the Virginia DMV if you sell, trade, or donate your automobile. You can do this online, by visiting a customer care facility, or by calling the DMV at (804) 497-7100.
Is a Bill of Sale required for selling a car in Virginia?
Although the Virginia DMV does not require private sellers to obtain a bill of sale, most do as a recommended practice. It’s also a good idea to get such documents notarized.
Do I pay taxes when I sell my car in Virginia?
When a car is sold or the ownership of the vehicle changes, Virginia is obligated to collect a 4.15% Sales and Use Tax (SUT). The amount owed is based on the gross sales price of the car or $75, whichever is larger.
Do I remove my license plate when I sell a car in Virginia?
Yes, you have to remove your license plates when you sell your car in Virginia and surrender them to the local DMV.
How do I avoid paying car tax in Virginia?
In Virginia, you can’t avoid paying car tax legally.