How do I sell my low mileage Camry and get the best deal?

I’m looking to sell my 2013 Camry with 74,000 miles. I bought it new, but I have never sold a car before, so I’m not sure what to do. I checked KBB and got a call from a dealer who wants to buy it. I know selling to a dealer is easier, but I could probably get more if I sell it myself. The problem is, I’ve heard private sales come with a lot of scams and hassle. What’s the best way to go about this?

You’ll almost always get more if you sell it yourself. If you go that route, make sure to wash and wax the car, clean the wheels, shine the tires, and tidy up the interior. A well-kept car makes a big difference. Take good pictures from different angles, including the inside and engine bay. A lot of people post bad photos that don’t show much—don’t do that. Be upfront about any dents, scratches, or issues so there are no surprises for the buyer. Do you have all the maintenance records? That can help a lot with trust.

@Oren
I wouldn’t go too far with cleaning the engine bay. Just wiping it down with a damp cloth or some Armor All is fine. If I see a spotless engine bay, I start wondering if water got into the connectors, which can lead to electrical issues. Some shady sellers power wash engines to make them look good, but that’s not always a sign of a well-maintained car.

@trecy
Yeah, that makes sense. No need to overdo it. A simple wipe-down is enough to show that the car has been cared for.

Check offers from places like Carmax or Carvana. Even if you don’t sell to them, you can use their offers to negotiate with dealers. Private sales can get you more money, but there are definitely scammers out there.

Some areas have consignment dealers who will sell your car for you. They either charge a flat fee or take a percentage of the sale price. Some will even offer a guaranteed amount, and anything over that they keep. If you don’t want to deal with private buyers directly, that might be an option for you.

@Ellis
Carmax is known for low offers and high resale prices. They don’t really give sellers the best deal.

Perry said:
@Ellis
Carmax is known for low offers and high resale prices. They don’t really give sellers the best deal.

That’s true, but in my case, they offered me more than the dealer did. I used their offer to negotiate a better price. Every dealer buys low and sells high—it’s just a matter of what works best for you.

@Ellis
Carmax offered me $7k for my Camry, which is in great shape. I used it for my commute, so it has 120,000 miles, but the paint and interior are still nice with just a couple of scuffs. Their offer was online, though, so maybe they would have gone higher if they saw it in person. Either way, it made me decide to just keep my car. I’m 65, retired, and not looking to spend my savings or take out a loan for another car. But I’m glad you got a good deal.