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How to Sell Your Car Privately in California

How it works

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List Your Car in Minutes.

It's easy to sell your car yourself in California with KarKiosk. Simply enter your VIN/License Plate and you're good to go. You can add more details by uploading great photos, ensuring your location is in California. And it takes only a few minutes to register!

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Boost Your Car Visibility.

KarKiosk offers top features such as multi-platform listing of your car, free vehicle history reports, "Feature Your Car", "Price Your Car Right", and much more to get your car in front of more buyers in California.

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Close the Deal.

Connect with the right California buyer and securely manage your transaction through KarKiosk. Communicate across California with ease with the KarKiosk Message Center. You can even keep your private information private!

Top Benefits with Your Listing

One Listing, Multiple Platforms

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One Listing, Multiple Platforms

Expand your visibility with no extra effort. Our intelligent listing technology allows you to list your vehicle on Craigslist and advertise your listing on two additional platforms: Facebook and Instagram. Get your car listed in front of the appropriate audience quickly and easily.

Free History Report

Create trust and transparency with your potential buyers. Every listing comes with a complimentary vehicle history report, helping your potential buyers gain important insights about your vehicle's history. Building trust reduces anxiety and motivates buyers to make decisions faster.

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Free History Report

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Discounted Vehicle Condition Report

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Discounted Vehicle Condition Report

Make sure your buyers feel totally confident in your listing. Our advanced Vehicle Condition Report powered by AI does this to assess the condition of your vehicle and provide an accurate grade. This added service makes the sales process faster and builds trust.

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Free KarKiosk+ Auto Perks & Discounts

Add value to every part of your vehicle selling experience with KarKiosk+ perks: Free access for you to exclusive discounts from over 1,000 national retailers, getting discounts on everything from car washes to oil changes, new tires, loans, and insurance!

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Free KarKiosk+ Auto Perks & Discounts

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Free KarStudio Credits

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Free KarStudio Credits

Distinguish yourself from the rest with enhanced, professional quality images by AI. You can use your free KarStudio credits to improve and advertise your vehicle to maximize interest from buyers with quality studio images.

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All Benefits

Number of Images

Show your car from every angle with up to 25 high-quality photos! Listings that have high-quality images get more engagement from buyers and help them visualize the car as their own.

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Add a 30-second Video

Show off your car in action with a quick 30-second video that shows the amazing features of your vehicle in action. Whether that's the sound of engine, or pristine interiors, a 30-second video will elevate the car listing.

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Featured Vehicle

Showcase your car as the Featured car. A featured vehicle is seen up to 55% more views over standard listings. When it's time to find the right buyer, featured listings give you a major advantage in finding the right buyer as quick as possible.

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Price Your Car Right

Make your vehicle competitive by pricing based on the current market. Don't price your car too high, you're only losing time while giving yourself the best chance of a sale with our specialized monthly updates to sell your vehicle.

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Email & SMS Notifications

You won't miss an active buyer! Get immediate email and SMS alerts for incoming offers and you have the advantage of being in the know.

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Newly Listed Badge

Stand out with a newly listed badge! Your car is being promoted automatically in your local area, and on the app your car is showing as prominently as possible in buyer's search results.

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Instant Car Offers

Need an instant offer? We make it easy to close quickly and without the wait, by engaging with direct buyers who are partners of The Car Market.

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Customer Support

You are not alone in this process! We have buildings of support staff dedicated to you and your car listing when you need our assistance! We want the process to be as smooth as possible for you when you sell your vehicle.

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Follow these easy steps to Privately Sell Your Used Car on KarKiosk

Why Choose Karkiosk

Sign Up and List Your Car Privately

Start listing your car for sale privately on KarKiosk by entering your vehicles VIN or License Plate number

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Upload Photos and Other Information

To make your listing as attractive as possible, upload high quality and clear photos. Don't forget to include a description of the condition of the vehicle, how you have used it, etc.

Be Prepared with the Right Documents

You want to have your vehicle title and other required documents. Each state has different documentation when selling your used vehicle, so be sure to look into that ahead of time!

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Keep Track of Incoming Offers and Pick a Buyer

You will be able to track incoming offers all in one place, and will be able to accept, rebut or counter offers from inside the KarKiosk platform. Plus, when you find a buyer or an offer that you like, you can schedule a test drive from within KarKiosk

Schedule Test Drive

The buyer, generally, will want to test drive your car. Eliminate the long tedious text reply back and forth - utilize scheduling to quickly figure out a good time and location for the test drive.

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Complete Your Sale

When you have sold your car, make sure to get the correct paperwork in order, you will need to transfer your vehicle title and any other documents based upon state requirements. Don't forget to cancel your insurance.

Sell Your Car Privately by California Cities

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FAQs When Selling Your Cars Privately in California

Frequently Asked Questions

Listing your Car is quick and easy! Simply enter your VIN or License Plate number into our platform and have the basic details ready: mileage, price and clear, well-lit images of your Car.

Yes! When you purchase a listing plan with KarKiosk you receive free credits for KarStudio. Our AI-powered image enhancement tool. With KarStudio, you will be able to convert your car images into professional, studio-quality images to impress potential buyers.

Yes! Not only will we list your Car on KarKiosk, we will also list your Car on Craigslist. We will also advertise your Car on targeted ads on Facebook and Instagram to maximize the potential buyer reach.

Buyers can purchase a Vehicle Condition Report through KarKiosk. This is an AI-powered report that provides the buyer with a virtual inspection of the vehicle's condition. No guesswork for the buyer, since it most often can highlight body damage.

Yes, safety is our priority! Use KarKiosk's Message Center for all communications. It is the best way to communicate with buyers securely and effectively. All without giving away personal information.

Yes. We verify all users' email and mobile number before they can be in contact with Car sellers. This is the first step in making KarKiosk a safe place for the buyer and seller.

The Discounts and Perks Program is an exclusive offering to KarKiosk+ users only. It allows you to access over 1,000 automotive merchants around the nation that can offer you discounts on services like car washes, oil changes, car insurance, automotive loans, etc

If You're Looking to Sell Your Car Privately in California, KarKiosk Can Help You!

Selling your car privately can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to maximize the sales price for your vehicle, avoid dealership fees, and avoid losing money on trade-in value. But it is not just as easy as posting an ad, as there are important steps you want to take to assure a satisfactory transaction. That is where KarKiosk comes in to provide support selling your car as a private seller with as little hassle as possible, and the maximum amount of money.

This guide will explain everything you need to know to sell your car privately in California, the perks of selling your vehicle privately versus trading it in, and the steps you can take to sell your car with KarKiosk.

Why Sell Your Car Privately?

Selling your car privately provides you with several distinct advantages over trade-ins with a dealer. Here are a few key reasons you may want to explore the option of selling your car privately:

  • Increased Sale Price

 When you sell your car privately, YOU are in control of the pricing. In general, a sale of a used car between private parties is going to sell for a dramatically higher price than a trade-in value because dealership prices for used vehicles are offered low to begin with (to cut down their overhead in taking on the vehicle), and then they attempt to resell the vehicle for a profit.

  • No Dealer Fees or Middlemen

When you sell your car privately, there are no hidden fees or commissions taken by your dealership, so any amount you get from the sale directly contributes to your profits. The money is yours which means you will get more value for your car.

  • Complete Control Over the Sale

 You control who you sell to, how much you sell for, and when to sell. Private selling allows you complete control of the entire process and ensures you get the utmost returns on your own timeline.

Selling Your Car by Owner in California with KarKiosk

KarKiosk provides an easy way to sell your car privately in California. We give you the tools and information necessary to ensure that your sale goes smoothly and successfully. Here’s a step-by-step process for selling your car by owner with KarKiosk:

  • Prepare Your Car for Sale

You only have one chance to make a first impression when trying to sell your car. Before you list your vehicle, make sure it is clean, maintained, and in working order. Get it washed and waxed, vacuumed, and make any minor repairs (for example, replace that light bulb or remove those scratches).

  • Take Quality Photos

Everyone loves great, detailed photos of a car! Use a good camera and take photos when the light is good. Take photos of all the outside angles of the car, a clean interior, a photo of the engine, the odometer reading, and any notable features of the vehicle. Great photos will help your sale post stand out!

  • Write a Great Description

 The description of your car is critical to inviting prospective buyers. Include the following important details:

  • The make, model, and year of the vehicle.
  • Mileage.
  • Condition (excellent, good, fair).
  • Recent work done.
  • Bonus features (heated seats, sunroof, safety features, etc.).

Make sure the description is honest—honesty builds trust with your potential buyer.

  • Add a Vehicle History Report

At KarKiosk, we want sellers to upload a vehicle history report to their advertisement. Buyers are concerned with whether a vehicle has been in a major accident or had a significant problem in its history. By supplying a vehicle history report from companies such as Carfax or AutoCheck, you will be able to assure potential buyers, increase their confidence in the purchase, and may even close the deal a little quicker.

  • Include a Condition Report

Having a certified mechanic look at your vehicle and prepare a condition report on your vehicle will help you attract serious buyers. A condition report can add credibility and assurance to a buyer that your vehicle is in excellent condition and will mitigate any potential worries or doubts about buyer hesitation.

  • Set a Competitive Price

Utilize KarKiosk's pricing tools to determine an acceptable market price for your vehicle. KarKiosk provides you vehicle charts on comparable vehicles that will help you effectively price your vehicle for sale and ensure that you receive a fair and/or increase in value than you expected.

  • Post on KarKiosk

Finally, use KarKiosk and sell your vehicle! Using KarKiosk's easy-to-use interface, your vehicle will be available to buyers that are already interested! KarKiosk even offers resources to help you screen buyers, communicate details, and safely work through the transaction process.

Paperwork Required to Sell a Vehicle Privately in California

There are necessary documents to sell a vehicle in California to comply with local, state, and federal laws. Below is everything you need:

  • Certificate Title (Pink Slip)

To transfer ownership of the vehicle to the buyer, you will need to sign the title over to the buyer. If you have a lien on your car, also ensure you have the lienholder's release.

  • Bill of Sale

A bill of sale is not required in California but is good to have when documenting the details of the sale. This document typically contains the buyer's information, the seller's information, information about the car (what it is, VIN, etc.), and the agreed-upon sale price.

  • Smog Certificate for the Vehicle

California law does require that cars that are over four years old have a smog certificate, which requires that the test has been done within 90 days of the sale of the vehicle. Not all vehicles fall under this requirement—electric vehicles are an example of cars that are not subject to obtaining a smog certification.

  • Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL)

The NRL is a form that the seller files to release themselves from liability associated with the vehicle once it is sold. It must be filed with the California DMV within 5 days of sale.

For forms and resources, check the California DMV's website for everything you need.

Why KarKiosk Makes Selling Private Easy for You

KarKiosk is not just the online location for posting your listings; we make private selling easy for you by focusing on taking the stress and guessing away while you complete your sale. Here are a few reasons you should choose KarKiosk:

  • Professional Support: We walk you through every step from preparing your car for sale to selling it.
  • Efficient Deal Dialogue: Buyers and sellers can easily communicate offers and negotiate using messaging built into the platform.
  • Reach a Larger Audience: When your listing is completed, KarKiosk shares your listing to hundreds of potential buyers in California.
  • Trust and Transparency: We make every sale as trustworthy as possible by providing a history of your car, its condition, etc.

Start Selling Your Car Privately with KarKiosk Today

Selling your car privately in California does not have to be hard. Breach the fear and confusion of private selling today. When working with KarKiosk's easy-to-use tools, professional support, and access to fair-valued market price data, your car will be well taken care of. Regardless if it’s your first time listing your vehicle or you’ve sold multiple cars in the past, we will take the stress out of making sure selling is hassle-free!

Start your journey to becoming a seller of your car by owner today! Sign up with KarKiosk and immediately start getting the most out of your vehicle!