Guide
How to get more for your car than a trade-in offer
The biggest lever on what you get for your car is who you sell it to. A dealer has to leave room to resell it; a private buyer does not. ACar gives you access to private buyers without doing the private-sale work yourself.
Where the money goes in a trade-in
A trade-in offer has to cover the dealer’s reconditioning, holding and selling costs plus a profit when the car is resold. Selling to a private buyer removes that middle step, which is where the extra value comes from.
How ACar prices for more
ACar analyzes local and national market data for your specific vehicle, including trim, mileage, condition and demand, and runs it through its pricing models. The goal is a price designed to beat typical trade-in offers while still saving the buyer money compared with a traditional dealer, by cutting out the middleman.
You approve the amount you want to receive before the car is marketed, and there is no seller fee taken out of it.
What helps your car sell for more
- Complete the guided photo and video scan in good daylight with a clean car.
- Document imperfections honestly so buyers trust the listing.
- Add your maintenance history and receipts.
- Offer test-drive availability that suits buyers’ schedules.
- Have your title or lender details ready so the sale can close without delays.
The ACar selling process, step by step
Most sellers finish the listing checklist in about 10 to 20 minutes, and ACar review usually takes under 24 hours. Nothing goes live until you approve the exact price.
- Vehicle details: start with a VIN, license plate, or year, make and model, then confirm mileage, features, condition, accident history and title status to get an estimated market range.
- Guided vehicle scan: on your phone, capture 7 exterior photos, up to 11 interior and detail photos, two walkaround videos and VIN photos, and document any imperfections.
- Payoff and title: tell ACar whether the car is owned outright or financed, and photograph the title or add your lender and approximate payoff.
- Maintenance history: add oil changes, brakes, tires, major repairs and anything due soon. Receipts help but are optional.
- Identity verification: scan a government-issued ID and take a quick selfie match.
- Test-drive preferences: choose your available days, time windows and where you prefer to meet.
- Review and approve: preview the listing, sign the Seller Listing Agreement and approve the price before it goes live.