A private sale usually brings a higher gross price. A trade-in is faster, safer, and in Washington it can lower the sales tax you pay on your next vehicle. Which one wins depends on whether the extra money is worth the extra work and risk to you.
The case for selling privately
You will typically get more money on paper. You are selling at retail instead of wholesale, so you capture the margin a dealer would otherwise earn.
The cost is real, though: photographing and listing the car, fielding messages, meeting strangers, handling test drives, verifying payment, and managing the title transfer yourself. Payment fraud on private car sales is common, and a bounced cashier's check is your problem, not the buyer's.
The case for trading in or selling to a buy center
It takes about thirty minutes instead of several weeks. There is no listing, no strangers at your house, and no risk of a fraudulent payment. We handle the title transfer and DMV paperwork, and if you still owe on the car, we pay your lender directly.
In Washington, the value of a trade-in is generally deducted from the taxable price when you buy your next vehicle from a dealer — meaning you pay sales tax only on the difference. On a meaningful trade, that tax savings can close much of the gap between the private-sale price and the trade offer. Tax situations vary, so confirm the specifics with us or with the Washington Department of Revenue.
Oregon has no general sales tax, so Oregon buyers do not get this benefit. If you live in Oregon, the math tilts a little more toward a private sale — though the time and risk trade-off does not change.
A simple way to decide
Get a real offer from a buy center first. It is free and takes half an hour. Then you know the actual floor, and you can decide whether the private-sale premium is worth weeks of work. Many people find the gap is smaller than they assumed once they account for tax and time.
You are never obligated to sell to us. We will buy your car whether or not you are shopping for a replacement.
Get a real offer in about 30 minutes
No obligation, and no pressure to buy a car from us in return. Five buy centers across Washington.
Get my offerFrequently asked questions
Do I have to buy a car from you to sell you mine?
No. There is no obligation to purchase anything. We buy vehicles outright.
Does Washington give a sales tax break on trade-ins?
Generally, yes — when you buy from a dealer, the trade-in value is deducted from the taxable price, so you are taxed on the difference. Confirm the details for your situation with us or the Washington Department of Revenue.
How long does a private sale usually take?
It varies widely, but planning on several weeks between listing, showings, and finalizing paperwork is realistic. A buy center offer takes about 30 minutes.