If you want to sell a car to buy another one, you may get a better price for your car if you sell it yourself. Be prepared for the extra effort involved.

• Learn the value of your car by checking out the model and year on the Edmunds or Kelley Blue Book Web site.
• Make sure you have the title. If you owe money on the car, you'll have to pay it off to get the title from the lender.
• Keep your car insurance intact until the car is sold.
• Shine the car really well, inside and out.
• Gather the maintenance records to show how well the car was maintained.
• Check with your Motor Vehicle Department about how to transfer title and plates.
• Compose a clear and short ad for the classified section of the paper.
• Consider putting your car ad online, for example, at AutoTrader.com.
• Expect potential buyers to take the car to their mechanic.

Protect Your Sale
Require a certified or cashier's check in payment. Do not take a personal check. Write a receipt with names and addresses of the seller and buyer, the date, and the price, as well as information about the car, including the model, year, and VIN. You may want to use the sample Bill of Sale:

Sample Bill of Sale

Bill of Sale

I/We do hereby sell to:
_____________________________________________________________________
(Name of Buyer)

For the total sum of $______________________, which has been received. The sum represents the mutually agreed-upon purchase price of the vehicle, between both the buyer(s) and the seller(s). The reason the vehicle may be purchased for a price less than the fair market value is as follows.

To the best of my knowledge, the odometer reading is the actual mileage of the vehicle, unless otherwise stated below:

Odometer reading _______________________ If odometer reading is incorrect, give explanation here:

Notarize your sale
I/We certify under penalty of perjury, that the statements made are true and correct to the best of my/our knowledge, information, and belief. I understand that giving a false statement(s) is a misdemeanor and may be subject to fines, imprisonment, or both.