How To Sell An Antique Car On eBay

How To Sell An Antique Car On eBay

The automotive industry has recently experienced a vast revolution with the massive inclination of potential buyers toward online marketplaces. Many platforms already have a significant level of exposure that can help catch the attention of car enthusiasts. And when it comes to selling an antique car, you must reach the ideal audience. While there are many platforms where selling antique cars online has gotten more accessible than ever, eBay remains one of the most effective platforms to date. If you are considering their motor marketplace to make a sale, read on because we will walk you through everything you need to know about listing cars through eBay.

Selling An Antique Car On eBay

Platforms like eBay have a streamlined process from listing an antique car for sale to delivering it to its new owners. EBay has an enormous reach if you want to go for a platform that can connect you with potential buyers. All you need to do is optimize your listing in such an attractive way that it receives maximum visibility. And, of course, with that, you can avail more and more conversions that lead to a successful sale! With eBay, you have two directions to execute your sale. One is that you hold an auction for your car. While it is a great way to make the most value out of your sales, you might come across this caveat where the bid winner might back out from the purchase at the very last moment. If your final bidder backs out, you lose your prospect and must relist your car again. The other approach - we recommend this one - is to sell the car at a fixed price. Here, you have more control when you collect the exact amount you list your vehicle for. Choose a fair price, and if you list your car the right way, you'll close the deal much faster than most other automotive marketplaces. In the following sections, we will explore all the aspects of successfully selling antique cars on eBay. 

How To List An Antique Car For Sale On eBay

First, you must be a platform member to sell your car on eBay. This is a one-time process and is entirely free of cost. Doing so isn't complicated; you just have to provide general information to register. Only registered members can proceed to create a seller's account on eBay.

Create A Seller's Account

You must create a seller's account to sell an antique car on eBay. Verify your account by providing your debit/credit card and account checking details. This is important as it establishes you as a credible seller on the platform. You also have to choose a method for selling fees. You pay this fee when you select a listing package to sell your vehicle. You can choose from three packages (Basic, Plus, and Package). You can learn more about these pricing packages here. 

Gather Your Vehicle's Information

You need to know certain things regarding your vehicle to ensure you can list your car smoothly on eBay Motors.

• Knowing your vehicle's identification number (VIN) is an eBay prerequisite for vehicles produced after 1981. Considering that you are listing an antique car for sale, your vehicle can date back even further. Even in that case, we suggest you include VIN if you can get your hands on it. 

• Even if you are not the original owner of the car, you must know your vehicle's history. You must disclose to the prospects if your car ever had a salvage title, even if it was clean at the time of sale.

• You must have the vehicle's title and be ready to transfer it to the buyer. If there are any limitations regarding this, for example, you don't have the title currently, you must disclose that to your buyer.

• To be safer, check for any specific state obligations to ensure you meet all the requirements.

Take Photographs

Providing a virtual tour of the car to the prospects is crucial. You need at least 12 pictures with preferably 1024x768 pixels resolution to help the buyer develop confidence in your vehicle. You must provide original images of the car rather than going for stock photos. You need to photograph the exterior (front, back, sides), interior (seats, dashboard, optional equipment), engine, odometer, and VIN. Simultaneously, don't avoid capturing vehicle details, even if they hint towards some damage such as dents, rust, paint fade, scratches, etc. Being honest will only help you gain the prospect's trust and help your listing perform better. 

Provide Vehicle Description

Once you have prepped up, it's time to create the listing with the sell your item form. Here, you must enter the VIN before the final completion. This helps the platform to re-populate your listing for a more robust experience. Curating vehicle description is the "make-or-break" of your listing. You need to answer maximum queries here to help create instant satisfaction within the buyer when he goes through the vehicle description. A good description caters to: 

• Make, model, sub-model, and year 
• Engine type and transmission 
• Vehicle condition for the interior, exterior, and engine
• Interior and comfort features
• Ownership history
• Maintenance records, recent service, warranty coverage (if applicable)

Note that if you are selling a restored antique car, you must list the additions or modifications that you have made to the model.

Quote Vehicle Price

You need to start researching the market value of your vehicle as per its make and model. To set a realistic price, most successful sellers navigate through the following four pricing strategies to determine the one that can promise maximum conversion. 

• Reserve Price Auctions: This strategy allows you to pre-determine the minimum price you are willing to accept. This is effective, particularly for older, expensive models. If you are a new seller, we recommend you go for it as it features the least risk, and you are only obligated to draw the purchase once your criteria are met.

• No Reserve Price Auctions: As the name suggests, any price above or at your set value determines the winner. This one is also popular for older models, which are comparatively low-priced. 

• Buy It Now Listings: This means setting a fixed price for the purchase. The strategy is perfect for you if you expect to make a quick sale. But ensuring you aren't scaring potential buyers with unreasonably high prices is essential.

• Best Offer Listings: Here, you leave it to the buyers to make an offer themselves. The buyer must pay the price when you accept any of those offers. 

Set Sale Terms

Before you proceed with your sale, it is crucial to see that you and the buyer are on the same page. Therefore, it is best to set the terms of the sale beforehand. These include details about payment terms like deposit requirements, payment methods, and balance payoff details. Likewise, you can inform the buyers about financing options they can avail of via eBay Motors. It is also essential to clarify the shipping costs and give estimates using eBay's Shipping Centre. 

How To Complete The Sale of An Antique Car Through eBay 

Once your vehicle is successfully listed, we recommend you manage the listing using My eBay and remain accessible throughout. If you notice that your listing isn't performing too well, you always have the option to revise. Assuming you have closed the deal with a desirable offer and sold the car to the new owner, you must collect payment and prepare the vehicle for shipment. You should have already established those terms of order during the listing, and all left to do now is coordinate with the buyer. This is where you will transfer the title as well, for which we suggest you look up your state's guidelines - as they differ for each state. Also note that if your antique car is sold at a price higher than your purchasing price, you will have to pay capital gains tax on your profit. The tax rate depends on the longevity of car ownership. If the car was in your possession for more than a year, the tax amount will be comparatively lower and vice versa. 

Final Thoughts: Sell Antique Cars Online

If you are considering exploring more options, you can sell your antique car online with us. At Exotic Car Trader, we specialize in selling high-standard antique cars to our particular target audience. You just need to list your vehicle - which is approximately a five-minute step. Once that's done, our concierge will contact you, and your vehicle will be professionally photographed. After agreeing on a price, your listing will go live on our platform along with our partners. As your car gets sold, we immediately transfer the proceeds your way. It's hassle-free, quick, and efficient - all simultaneously.