How to Sell Your Vehicle Privately — Safely, Smartly, and for Top Dollar
Selling a car privately generally means more money in your pocket than trading it in, plus the satisfaction of closing the deal yourself.
It also means extra steps to avoid scammers, legal headaches and the kind of buyer who suddenly “forgot” their wallet. Do this the right way and the sale will be smooth, quick, and profitable. Do it wrong and you’ll learn new curse words.
1. Prep the car (first impressions are merciless)
Deep clean inside and out. A tidy, fresh-smelling car gets better offers. Pay for a basic wash & vacuum — it pays for itself.
Take good photos. Shoot on a bright, overcast day. Capture: front 3/4, rear 3/4, interior (dash, seats, odometer), engine bay, trunk, tires, and any damage close-up. Aim for at least 8–12 usable images.
Gather documents: registration, service records, recent safety inspection (if available), any warranty paperwork, owner’s manual. Buyers love proof.
Fix minor issues if they increase value. Replace a burned headlight or a pair of worn wipers; small fixes often earn back more than they cost.
2. Price it right (don’t live in fantasy pricing)
Use three inputs:
Market value: check Canadian pricing tools and classifieds (examples: AutoTrader.ca, Kijiji Autos listings, Carfax/CarProof history).
Condition adjustment: subtract for damage, add for fresh service or new tires. Be brutally honest.
Negotiation buffer: add ~5–7% to your asking price so you can accept offers and still reach your target.
3. Write an ad that sells (don’t waste words)
Headline: be factual & searchable.
Example: 2018 Honda CR-V EX — 120,000 km — Service Records — Clean Alberta Title
Body (short template):
Year / Make / Model / Trim / KM
Location (eg. Didsbury / Airdrie area)
One-liner selling point (recent tires, brand new brakes, one-owner)
Short defects list (be honest — builds trust)
Asking price & how to contact (phone first, then text/email)
Offer to show at public, well-lit locations or at their bank (for payment verification)
4. Where to meet (pick smart)
Best: Bank lobby during business hours (buyer and seller can immediately verify funds).
Safe Alternative: In front of McDonalds Insurance during business hours. Our office has large glass windows facing the street, plenty of visibility, and our team doesn’t mind keeping a friendly eye while you complete your sale. It’s a simple, community-based way to add peace of mind.
Good: Police station public parking lot — many detachments welcome this and it’s a great deterrent to nonsense.
Acceptable: Busy retail or mall parking during daylight hours (not isolated back lanes).
Avoid: Buyer’s home, secluded areas, or night-time meetups.
Bring a friend. Yes, it’s extra human baggage, but it helps.
5. Test-drive protocol (control the risk)
Pre-screen buyer: ask for full name, phone, and reason for buying. Ask if they have a valid driver’s license.
Hold a copy of license: photograph the buyer’s driver’s license (front + back) before the test. This discourages sketchiness.
Limit the route: short, known route — no long highway trek or “Let’s go out of town.”
Take the passenger seat. If you’re selling, you ride shotgun. If you let them drive, bring a friend and insist on seeing their insurance or hold a deposit.
Escort to bank after sale: Do not release the vehicle until payment is verified.
6. Payment methods — what’s safe, and what’s not
Preferred / Safe options
Bank Draft (certified) OR Instant bank transfer at a branch — meet at the buyer’s bank: watch the teller verify the draft or transfer and confirm cleared funds.
E-transfer (AUTOMATIC DEPOSIT only): e-transfer to a business account with automatic deposit (no security question) — the money must settle before you hand keys. Plain e-transfers with security Q/A can be faked; avoid them unless you can confirm deposit with bank.
Cash at the bank: rare but fine — accept cash only inside a bank and deposit immediately.
Risky / avoid
Cashier’s cheque without verifying at bank — can be forged.
Third-party cheques (from friends) — do not accept.
Payment apps without verification — e.g., if buyer sends screenshot of transfer or “instant” deposit screenshot, verify the funds in your account.
If buyer insists on paying private seller-to-seller methods: insist on meeting at bank and completing the transfer in person while you wait for verification.
7. Title transfer & liens (don’t be lazy here)
Check for liens: run a PPSA / Personal Property Security search or use a vehicle history report (Carfax / CarProof) to confirm no outstanding finance. This matters. If the vehicle has a lien, you can end up responsible.
Transfer paperwork: complete the Alberta transfer of ownership forms at a registry agent (if you’re in Alberta). The buyer must register the vehicle in their name — make sure the bill of sale includes VIN, kms, buyer & seller names and signatures.
Remove plates? Check local rules — in many provinces plates stay with the seller; confirm at your registry. If plates remain with you, remove them before handing keys. If they go with the car, note that in the transfer forms.
If you’re unsure about registration mechanics in your area, go to the registry office together and complete the process
8. Bill of sale — copy, paste, use
9. Scams & red flags (the ones that make your skin crawl)
Buyer wants to pay with a foreign/corporate cheque and asks to wire back the difference. Classic fake cheque scam. Decline.
“I’m out of town but my driver will pick up” — insist on meeting the buyer in person.
Buyer refuses safe meeting spots or bank verification. Walk away.
Buyer sends proof of payment screenshot and asks for car/key. Always verify with your bank or the receiving branch.
10. How to maximize sale price (negotiation tips)
Start slightly above your target to leave room for negotiation but not so high you scare buyers off.
Highlight maintenance records and recent repairs in the ad — this reduces buyer discounting.
Offer a short “test drive window” (e.g., 10–15 minutes) to reduce lowballers.
Have your bottom-line price in mind and stay firm. If you need to sell fast, consider a small, advertised “firm” incentive (e.g., new tires included).
Price in the sweet spot: many buyers search in bands. Avoid placing your price just above a search cutoff (e.g., $20,100 vs $19,900).