📝 Real Experience: I Actually Sold My Car — Here’s What Happened

“Selling a car just seems like a hassle.”
“If I want to upgrade, I’ll just trade it in at the dealer.”

I used to think the same — until I actually went through the process of selling my own car.
In this article, I’ll share my complete, real-life experience: the good, the stressful, and what I learned.

If you’re thinking about selling your car but feel unsure where to start, this story is for you.

🚙 The Car I Sold

Let’s start with the basics. Here’s what I was working with:

• Make & Model: Toyota Aqua (also known as Prius C in some markets)
• Year: 2013
• Mileage: Around 98,000 km
• Condition: No accidents, non-smoker, clean interior
• Color: Pearl White
• Inspection (Shaken): Over 1 year remaining

It was a great compact car — fuel-efficient and reliable. But with a baby on the way, we decided to upgrade to something larger. That meant saying goodbye to my Aqua.

🏪 First Stop: Dealer Trade-In

Since we were buying a new car, I asked the dealer about a trade-in.

💬 Trade-in offer: ¥220,000 (~$1,400 USD)

Honestly? It felt a bit low. I knew that dealerships offer convenience, not always the best price. The salesperson even said, “Our trade-in offers are more like discounts than real appraisals.”

That’s when I decided to explore car buying services and try my luck with direct buyers.

📱 Trying Online Car Appraisal — Nervously

I’d heard about online car appraisal websites that compare offers from multiple buyers, so I gave one a try.

The form took about 5 minutes to fill out: car details, condition, contact info. Within minutes, my phone started ringing.

My first reaction: “Here we go… is this going to be a swarm of pushy salespeople?”

Surprisingly, the calls were professional and polite. After a few conversations, I scheduled appointments with these 4 buyers:

• A major national chain
• A local used car dealership
• An exporter that specializes in overseas sales
• An online-only appraisal service

All offered free home inspections, so I didn’t have to drive anywhere — a huge plus.

🧑‍🔧 What the In-Home Inspections Were Like

Each buyer came to my home at a scheduled time, and their inspections followed a similar pattern:

• Checking under the hood
• Looking at tires and brakes
• Inspecting for dents, scratches, and interior odor
• Verifying no accident history or frame damage

All of them asked, “Do you have a maintenance record?”
Luckily, I kept mine — and that gave me a small advantage.

💰 And the Offers? Way Better Than Expected

Here’s what each buyer offered me:

The exporter gave the highest offer.
When I asked why, they explained that my Aqua was in demand in Southeast Asia — fuel-efficient hybrids are extremely popular in those regions, even with higher mileage.

📝 Selling Process & Paperwork

I accepted the exporter’s offer on the spot. They prepared a simple contract and guided me on the documents I’d need:

• Vehicle inspection certificate
• Mandatory insurance certificate
• Recycle ticket
• Official seal (inkan) and proof of seal registration
• Maintenance records (optional but helpful)

I gathered the documents in one day, and the full payment was wired to my bank account the next morning.

Fast, clear, and stress-free.

🤔 What I Learned From Selling My Car

Honestly, I expected a lot more hassle. But the process was much easier and more transparent than I imagined.

✅ What went well:

• I got ¥80,000 more than the dealer offer
• I sold the car without leaving my house
• All the buyers were polite and informative
• The paperwork was straightforward

❗ What to prepare for:

• Be ready for lots of phone calls after submitting your info
• Schedule the inspections carefully (weekends are ideal)
• Double-check your documents to avoid delays

✅ Final Thoughts: Selling Smart Means Selling Prepared

Selling a car doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
If you take the time to compare offers and prepare your documents, you could earn significantly more than just trading it in at the dealership.

I almost left money on the table by going with the easiest route. I’m glad I didn’t.

If you’re about to sell your car, take a deep breath — and take that first step.
You might be surprised how smooth it can be.