Everything you need to know when selling your car privately in Utah

We know it’s easy to get attached to your vehicle, enough so that sometimes, it’s sort of hard to move on. You’ve spent a lot of time and made a lot of memories in that hunk of metal. So if you’re wondering, “Should I sell or keep my old car?” well, we can’t answer that for you. But when you decide it’s time to let someone else share the love, KSL Cars is here for you. We’ve even put together this guide for how to sell your car online for free.

Use the KSL Classifieds app to list your vehicle for sale in just a few taps.

Listing your vehicle for sale

Where do you sell a used car? On KSL Cars, of course, where thousands of people across the Mountain West shop for vehicles every day. It’s easy to list your set of wheels; just log in to your KSL Classifieds app (or KSL.com) and choose Add Listing. You’ll need information including:

• Vehicle Identification Number (located on the driver’s side dashboard or front door jamb)

• Make, model and year

• Trim

• Body style

• Mileage

• Title type

• Asking price

You can also include information such as number of doors, AWD, color, etc. The more detailed your listing, the better your chance of attracting buyers. 

Attach several pictures to show the vehicle from all angles, inside and out. Include flaws, too; if the bumper is dented or the front seat is ripped, don’t try to hide it. Write an accurate description of your car, then get ready to roll. Uh, help someone else roll, that is.

Sell your vehicle on KSL Cars

Vehicle report

When you list your buggy on KSL Cars, you may purchase a vehicle history report from Carfax, which will appear with your listing. This gives viewers reassurance about the vehicle’s condition. (Be wary of anyone suggesting you order a data report through their preferred site, a common scammer’s practice.) Be sure to enable Messages, the safest way to communicate with potential buyers.

Cars less than 8 years old are the most in demand.

On sale today

What is the best time to sell a used car? If you’re looking to get the most money out of your vehicle, you’ll want to sell it before it has several years and miles on it. Ideally, a car less than 3 years old will still have a manufacturer’s warranty, which some buyers may be willing to pay more for. Also, anything under 40,000 miles is generally attractive, according to Edmunds.

If you’ve had your vehicle for more than three years, though, don’t worry. Cars under 100,000 miles and 8 years are still pretty popular, particularly among first-time buyers. Keep in mind, the older the vehicle, the more buyers will look at the mileage.

The price is right

When selling your car privately, you set the price. How do you know what your car is worth? Sites such as J.D. Power will suggest your vehicle’s current value based on recent sales near you. Also, check KSL Cars to see what others are asking for similar models.

Show and tell

Got a message from an interested buyer? Prep your car before they come to take a look. It doesn’t need to be professionally detailed (although it wouldn’t hurt), but you should at least take it through a carwash. Inside, vacuum up all the pet hair and crumbs; wash all the windows, inside and out; clean up any sticky spills; and take out the garbage. Add a new air freshener, if needed. And if your rearview mirror is rocking some bling, you should probably remove that, too.

Clean your car, inside and out, to better appeal to potential buyers.

Check your paperwork

If you are selling a car privately in Utah, you’ll need to provide some paperwork to the buyer: the title, a bill of sale and the registration. If you don’t have the title — or can’t find it — order a replacement from the Utah Department of Motor Vehicles. 

You’ll need to sign the title to transfer ownership. If more than one person is listed on it — i.e., Joe Kartz and Jane Kartz — both need to sign it. If it says Joe Kartz OR Jane Kartz, only one of you needs to.

Bill of sale

Once the price is agreed upon, create a bill of sale. You can use the state form, TC-843, or create one yourself. It can be either printed or handwritten. It should include:

• Name and address of both the seller and buyer

• VIN

• Make and model

• Purchase price (You do not need to collect tax; the buyer will pay it when they register the vehicle.)

Remove the license plates and say your final goodbyes.

Lastly, after payment and before handing over the keys:

• Sign the title.

• Remove the license plates.

• Give the new owner the current registration and safety and emissions certificates (they’ll need these when registering the vehicle).

• Report that the vehicle was sold to the Utah DMV on the Motor Vehicle Portal.

• Pat your car on the hood and say goodbye, wiping away a tear or two. Oh, is that just us?

Ready to let go? List your vehicle for sale on KSL Cars, where it will be seen by potential buyers in Utah and the surrounding states.