Buying a used car is one of the few times in LA that “for sale by the owner” reigns supreme. This almost always means no added fees/costs and an often more personable experience overall. If you have any doubts, or just need a point in the right direction, here’s the rundown on how to buy a car from a private seller in your area:
Why Buy a Car from a Private Seller?
There are several advantages to buying a used car off a private seller. Here are some:
Lower Price – Private sellers generally have lower prices because they have less overhead to worry about.
More Room to Negotiate – As a separate individual, private sellers have more flexibility when determining prices than dealers.
Less Sales Pressure – As statistics show buying on Private Party is more relax and less crowded from buying to professional Sales Person.
Where to Find Cars for Sale by Owner
As far as L.A. goes, it’s a big sprawling city, there should be plenty of places to find used cars. Popular locations/platforms for finding cars include:
(Craigslist) where a vast number of private sellers will list their vehicle. Please be cautious and always meet in public location like Starbucks or Walmart Parking lot
Facebook marketplace – Recently have gained a lot popularity for local buying and selling. It gives you the view of seller profile along with ratings which are reliable.
Autotrader: As a platform primarily for dealerships, many private owners also list cars here.
If you’re into dead trees, the Los Angeles Times’ print classifieds could be an excellent source for finding private sellers.
PennySaver, a great local publication, often does have those listings for cars.
Many Los Angeles neighborhoods have community boards, or online local forums where residents post things for sale, including cars.
What to Watch Out for:
Always ask for one. Getting a vehicle history report is critical as it’ll tell you everything about it. Among other things, you’ll get to know if it’s had any accidents, title status, and maintenance records.
Lastly, it’s important to have a trusted mechanic inspect the car before completing its purchase. Doing so can help you avoid any costly future repairs.
Take a test drive: Never buy a car without driving it under the conditions you expect to use it in. Pay attention to how it handles, listen for strange noises, and make sure all the features work.
Negotiate the Price
Before you make an offer, look up the fair market price of the car using guides like Kelley Blue Book ( KBB.com ) or Edmunds ( Edmunds.com ). This research will provide you a strong grounds for negotiating.
If the seller does not negotiate to a competitive price, be prepared to find a car for sale los Angeles on the online platforms.
Selling
Make sure that all the necessary paperwork is completed including the bill of sale, title transfer and proper smog certification which is a requirement from California law.
When transferring cash, a cashier’s check or electronic transfer are the safest methods. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
Getting a used car from a private seller in Los Angeles doesn’t have to be difficult, and it can be a satisfying experience if you take the time to be an informed and cautious shopper. You’ll be able to buy a top-car in that price range by using online tools, not to mention community websites and online readers, and carrying out thorough studies on the car.