Selling Your Car Privately in Denver, Colorado

Why Should I Sell Privately?

When considering whether to sell your car privately or trade it in at a dealership, you should weigh the pros and cons. Trade-ins are obviously convenient, but dealerships often lessen the value of your vehicle for their added costs and margins. On the other hand, selling your vehicle privately can usually give you close to the actual value because you have eliminated the middle-man.

Also, Karkiosk makes selling privately easy, as it does not make you waste your time and make it overly complicated. We have built a simple tool that brings together sellers and buyers and we provide all the tools, tips, and guidance you need to have a pleasant experience.

If you are selling your car by owner in Denver, the most important step in maximizing your vehicle's sale price is preparation. Here are the steps you should take to wow potential buyers on Karkiosk or any other website to sell cars.

• Clean and Detail Your Car

First impression are the most important! You should have your car absolutely spotless and clean inside and out. You may choose to have your vehicle cleaned and detailed by a professional, or you may decide to put in the sweat and labor and clean and detail your vehicle yourself. You'll want to vacuum the inside, wipe down surfaces, and wash and wax the outside.

• Take Good Photos

A photo is worth a thousand words when you're selling your car. So grab a good camera or quality smartphone, and take photos of your entire car from different angles and highlight some of the features, especially the interior condition, dashboard, tires, etc. If your car has any upgrades, make sure to capture those too. The best way to take pictures of your car is during the day for natural lighting.

• Write a Great Description

Include all the details by writing down the make, model, year, mileage, condition, features, and any major upgrades. Be sure to mention anything that you recently repaired or serviced (e.g. new tires, battery, etc.) to assure buyers of the car’s condition. Be as clear and detailed as possible to build trust with buyers.

• Offer a Vehicle History Report

One of the best ways to provide confidence to buyers is to include a vehicle history report in your ad. Vehicle history reports provide past owners, repairs, accidents, title information, etc. Buyers will appreciate the continuity and it will help you establish confidence that you are a legitimate, honest seller.

• Provide a Condition Report

If you can, provide a condition report of the car, representing the overall health of the car including the engine, transmission, brakes, and tires. This gives prospective buyers an idea of condition before asking, and saves time for both of you.

There are specific legal requirements when selling a car privately in Denver (or anywhere in Colorado). Keep these steps in mind as you proceed.

• Title Transfer

You will need to get your Colorado Certificate of Title. If there are multiple owners listed on the title, all owners must sign as sellers. Be sure to provide the purchase price and date accurately.

• Odometer Disclosure

Odometer markings and odometer disclosure statements must be disclosed on either the Certificate of Title or form DR2173, the Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale.

• Bill of Sale

Create a Bill of Sale. Be sure to include the year, make, and VIN of the vehicle as well as the purchase price and purchase date of the vehicle. Both the buyer and seller should sign it.

• License Plates

Remove your license plates before handing over the vehicle to the buyer.

• Reporting the Sale

To report the sale, according to the Colorado DMV, the seller may voluntarily report the sale of a vehicle within five days of completing the sale. The seller may report the sale at myDMV.colorado.gov by selecting "Report Release of Liability."

Additional Requirements for Denver County

Denver County means that if the buyer lives in an emissions-required area, they may need an emissions inspection certificate. Be sure to check the Colorado DMV website to see if you need an emissions inspection certificate.

For more information, visit the Colorado DMV Buying and Selling page.

Setting the Right Price

Setting the price of your car in a competitive manner can make or break your sale. When comparing similar vehicles, remember to use the various online resources and also other tools that Karkiosk provides for valuations. While determining your car's price, take into account the vehicle's age, mileage, condition and any added features.

To List Your Car for Sale with Karkiosk

Karkiosk is your ultimate source for listing your car online, the following is the step-by-step process on how to list your vehicle for private sale in Denver CO:

• Create an account for free: You can start the listing process by creating an account on Karkiosk.

• Add your vehicle information: The next step is to add the details of your car, including uploading images and adding the relevant vehicle history and condition reports.

• Set your price: Karkiosk's pricing tools will help you to find the best possible price for your car.

• Communicate with potential buyers: Respond to inquiries and try to meet buyers in safe, public places in a private sale, when they want to perform a test drive or inspection on your vehicle.

Market Your Car to Surrounding Cultural Areas

Denver is surrounded by smaller cities and suburbs, both to the east and west, including populous suburbs like Aurora, Lakewood, Centennial, Thornton, etc. The more relevant areas you add to your listing, the greater audience your car listing will reach beyond the greater Denver metro area.

Final Steps

Once you have sold your car, collect payment and then transfer the title. Karkiosk recommends you use a cashier's check or certified funds. Once payment has been confirmed, do a sale report and surrender your plates as required by Colorado law.

The Bottom Line

Selling your car privately in Denver CO doesn't have to be complicated. Karkiosk makes selling your car simple and gives you the tools to list your car for sale, interact with buyers, and sell your vehicle quickly and efficiently.

Whether you are upgrading to a new ride or looking to downsize your lifestyle, the whole selling process can be simpler and deliver on your expectations by using Karkiosk to list your car for sale. Start your listing today and find out how easy it is to sell your car by owner!