Websites for buying car from owner

[international001]

craigslists and autotrader have an option, but others like carfax or facebook marketplace don't seem to.

Any preferred method?

[tennisplyr]

There are a number of places to find cars for sale privately. Some popular options include:

Online classifieds: Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, eBay Motors
Car listing websites: AutoTrader, Cars.com, Kelley Blue Book
Local newspapers

[runner3081]

Nextdoor

[international001]

kbb is autotrader
ebay motors and cars.com seem to be mostly dealers. NExt door has few listings.
Facebook Marketplace seems good. But I didn't find any option to select private sellers. Many of the advertisements show fake prices (you have to finance the rest). Is there a way of filtering

[MH2]

Facebook marketplace is : |

It's unfortunately the main site for selling car accessories where I'm at. As bad as it is for car shopping, try using it to search for government certified rim and tire combinations.

[terran]

Facebook Marketplace seems good. But I didn't find any option to select private sellers.

At least for me the "Owner: All, Dealership, Individual" selection is under "Sort by" and above "Price." Like all such listings dealers sometimes/often will place listings in "Individual"

Many of the advertisements show fake prices (you have to finance the rest).

I've taken to reporting these listings as inaccurate (they are) at which point you're given the option to block that user. I figure I'm doing a service to other people if the listing gets removed and with the offending users blocked I think I'm seeing fewer of these misleading listings. You can also hide listings you've seen and aren't interested in.

[Tubes]

Last winter I bought a car using the KBB/Autotrader "Private Seller Exchange". It went really well.

Autotrader/KBB has an option to list only private sales. If you use PSX, all initial communication is by app messaging and anonymous. PSX requires some identity checks before you buy. There is some degree of integrity built into it. Money is then exchanged through PSX and the buyer can even use a credit card, among other methods.

Is it perfect? Nothing is. It is an option. It worked well for me and the seller. It was 1000x better than dealing through Facebook Marketplace. I explored some options there too, and it was a real s-show.

[international001]

At least for me the "Owner: All, Dealership, Individual" selection is under "Sort by" and above "Price." Like all such listings dealers sometimes/often will place listings in "Individual"

??? For me, under 'Sort by', I have 'PRice'

I cannot even tell who is a dealer. I figured it out if they have multiple listings. If you google them, oftehn they have a bad rep.

[iamlucky13]

...facebook marketplace don't seem to.

You can definitely buy cars from individual owners through Facebook Marketplace. I've sold two cars that way. I'm not sure it's any better than Craigslist, but it worked.

If you're just trying to filter listings to only show those from individual owners, here's what I see on Firefox in Windows:

In Marketplace, in the left menu, under Categories, select "Vehicles." Then under filters, look for the "Owner" menu and select "Individual."

If you're using a mobile browser and Facebook is limiting your search options, some browsers have the option to request the desktop site.

If you're using the mobile app, I can't help you.

[Chuckles960]

If I may latch on to this thread with a related question...how does the individual seller get paid?

The only time I sold a car through Craigslist was ~20 years ago, it was quite old and therefore cheap, I insisted on cash. Now even old cars are too expensive for that. Would one use an escrow service?

[Tubes]

If I pay latch on to this thread with a related question...how does the individual seller get paid?

The only time I sold a car through Craigslist was ~20 years ago, it was quite old and therefore cheap, I insisted on cash. Now even old cars are too expensive for that. Would one use an escrow service?

Well PSX is essentially an escrow service.

If you use FB Marketplace, you have to be careful. In-person trips to the bank and DMV are probably safest. I know a lot of people do it that way.

[iamlucky13]

If I may latch on to this thread with a related question...how does the individual seller get paid?

The only time I sold a car through Craigslist was ~20 years ago, it was quite old and therefore cheap, I insisted on cash. Now even old cars are too expensive for that. Would one use an escrow service?

I've done three private party car transactions in the last few years, all of them for cash. One was me making a purchase in the 5-figure range. Obviously, carrying that much cash or turning over possession of an item of that much value merits some precautions.

Each time, we met just to inspect and drive the car in a public location, and the same when making the transaction. Each time I brought someone else with me (my wife...ostensibly as my ride home after completing the transaction, but also as a witness). The grocery store lot where we met for the two sales has security cameras facing the parking lot. I've heard the local police department actually doesn't mind people doing such meetings in their parking lot.

I'm aware there are escrow services to manage the transactions, but in my initial research the fees seemed kind of high. Not unreasonable...just more than I wanted to pay for the assurance.

Some people prefer to use cashier's checks. From what I have read, it seems the preferred way to do this is meet at one of the party's banks. Then the seller can witness the buyer's bank verify their balance and issue the check and know it is not a fake, or the seller can deposit the check at their own bank and verify it clears before turning over the keys and title.

When I made my purchase, I offered to pay with a cashier's check, but trying to schedule that around our work and the bank hours wasn't working out. For the two sales, the buyers had no objections to paying cash.

If you do pay cash for significantly more than your ATM limit, call your bank at least a day ahead of time to make sure they are able provide the necessary withdrawal. For my purchase, I didn't do this, and got a lecture, but after they checked their balance they confirmed they could fulfill my withdrawal and still manage their normal volume.

[vnatale]

In 2007 I successfully bought a car advertised on Craigslist and last year I helped someone else buy one from Craigslist. Facebook Marketplace seemed to also be a good option.

[bad1bill]

I've also had good luck with Craigslist and have bought a few cars that way. All the usual caveats apply: have a mechanic you trust inspect the car, perform a Carfax check, don't meet at your house, etc.

[international001]

...facebook marketplace don't seem to.

You can definitely buy cars from individual owners through Facebook Marketplace. I've sold two cars that way. I'm not sure it's any better than Craigslist, but it worked.

If you're just trying to filter listings to only show those from individual owners, here's what I see on Firefox in Windows:

In Marketplace, in the left menu, under Categories, select "Vehicles." Then under filters, look for the "Owner" menu and select "Individual."

If you're using a mobile browser and Facebook is limiting your search options, some browsers have the option to request the desktop site.

If you're using the mobile app, I can't help you.

What am I doing wrong?

[iamlucky13]

...facebook marketplace don't seem to.

You can definitely buy cars from individual owners through Facebook Marketplace. I've sold two cars that way. I'm not sure it's any better than Craigslist, but it worked.

If you're just trying to filter listings to only show those from individual owners, here's what I see on Firefox in Windows:

In Marketplace, in the left menu, under Categories, select "Vehicles." Then under filters, look for the "Owner" menu and select "Individual."

If you're using a mobile browser and Facebook is limiting your search options, some browsers have the option to request the desktop site.

If you're using the mobile app, I can't help you.

What am I doing wrong?

I think the problem is not you, but Facebook. It looks like they're not giving the same filtering options on your phone as they give me on my PC.

[terran]

What am I doing wrong?

I think the problem is not you, but Facebook. It looks like they're not giving the same filtering options on your phone as they give me on my PC.

I'm on a computer too, so I bet that's the reason.

[AllMostThere]

Nextdoor

Recently sold a vehicle using Nextdoor. Worked well for me. While interest and traffic was less than ideal, I feel it was better as those who did make contact were actually local and interested, not the trolls from Facebook & Craigslist. Didn't want to deal with the anonymous Facebook & Craigslist trolls, scammers, time wasters and no-shows.

[YeahBuddy]

Facebook marketplace. I had great success in the past with craigslist. But do your due diligence. Expect there to be problems. And brush up on how to spot those problems in person. And of course have your mechanic inspect the vehicle. Best of luck!

[runner3081]

don't meet at your house, etc.

I don't get this one. I mean, the title that you hand the buyer has your home address right on it, at least in the states I have lived in.

[international001]

I think the problem is not you, but Facebook. It looks like they're not giving the same filtering options on your phone as they give me on my PC.

I'm using a Windows PC

The image is a crop of a screenshot

[international001]

It seems I got upgraded. Now I see a 'Owner' filter.

go figure...