LaFontaine Automotive Group

Sell My Car Near Ann Arbor

Two people shaking hands.

If you have a vehicle you want to get rid of, it can be tempting to just ask your phone, “Where can I sell my car near Ann Arbor?” and hope for a good result. Selling your car privately is an option, but it can expose you to a wide range of scams and other issues. That is why we recommend selling your vehicle to a dealership that you can trust.

With the LaFontaine Automotive Group, the friendly folks you meet will do everything to make selling your car incredibly simple. They can guide you through the process, handle the important paperwork, and ensure you get what your car is worth. Plus, you can always use your vehicle as a trade-in toward a new ride if you are looking to replace or upgrade your car.

Why Should You Sell or Trade In Your Car?

This is a great question to start with when considering what to do with a vehicle you no longer need. Simply put, selling your car is a terrific way to get some value back out of it after driving it for a while. The better you have cared for your vehicle, the more money you can get for it, and its value can be a huge savings when shopping for your next car.

Selling your car privately—directly to another person—can be tempting since you might be able to get a lot of money. The major problem, however, is that you expose yourself to many risks. There are people who prey on folks just trying to sell a car, who will try to scam you out of your vehicle, or just rob you in a violent situation.

When selling privately, you also have to worry about paperwork and details being done properly so that ownership transfers correctly—otherwise, you can be liable for what another driver does. The friendly people at our dealerships can eliminate these hassles for you, and they love helping Ann Arbor drivers get the most out of their old car, truck, or SUV.

A person walking near a silver 2025 Buick Encore GX Avenir.

How Will We Evaluate Your Old Vehicle?

Before you take your vehicle to one of our dealerships, it is a good idea to know what to expect. One of the most important things to know is how your car will be inspected and evaluated to determine its value. This is not something we have simply invented; our teams follow industry practices that ensure you get what your vehicle is worth.

When you take your car to a LaFontaine dealership, the helpful people there will perform an inspection and review all the information you have. The criteria they typically use when evaluating a vehicle to buy it from you include:

  • Vehicle Condition: One of the most important things our people look at is what shape your car is in. This includes any damage inside or outside, its mechanical and electrical systems, how it handles, and similar information.
  • Mileage Amount: Our teams always consider how many miles a vehicle has on it. This is not the sole determining factor in a car's value, but high mileage can lower it.
  • Vehicle History: Whenever possible, it’s good to see a vehicle history report that shows any collisions or other issues in a car’s past. Our teams like to see service records, too, which show that you have properly cared for your vehicle.
  • Make & Model: The specific vehicle you have also impacts its value. Certain brands, models, and types of vehicles are more popular than others, which can affect this value.
  • Trim & Features: In addition to the model you have, specific trim levels and features can also be in particularly high demand. These can likewise boost your vehicle's value.

With these details in mind, you get a sense of what our teams generally look for. Of course, the folks you'll meet with will be happy to answer any questions you have, explain these factors in more detail, and take care of everything you need.

A red 2025 GMC Canyon AT4X parked offroad.

What Do You Need to Sell Your Car?

Even though our people do everything they can to make selling your car or using it as a trade-in quick and easy, there are certain steps you can take to keep the process as efficient as possible. The more you take care of ahead of time, the simpler it is for our people to evaluate your car, get money in your hand, and have you back on the road to Ann Arbor. These steps can include:

  • Have Your Title: Arguably, the single most important thing to do when selling your car is to have the title for it. Make sure it is valid, has your name on it, and that there is no lien on your car. If you still owe money, then make sure you have your financing paperwork, too.
  • Have Other Paperwork: Beyond the title for your vehicle, you should have other documents like its registration, your insurance information, and similar items. If a lien was recently lifted after you paid off a loan, then it helps to have documents showing that.
  • Have a Valid Photo ID: Make sure you have a valid photo ID that matches the name on your vehicle title. Otherwise, our team cannot know you own the car and cannot buy it.
  • Have Service Records: We mentioned this earlier and want to reiterate: service records show you took good care of your car, which boosts its value.
  • Clean Your Vehicle: Before taking your car to one of our dealerships, give it a good cleaning inside and out. You want your vehicle to make a great first impression. This also gives you a chance to find items that you might otherwise overlook and forget in your car.
  • Have Other Items: Try to have everything else your vehicle came with. This can include the owner’s manual, other documentation, accessories, and more.

That might all seem pretty simple and straightforward, but folks tend to forget some of these things when taking care of all the steps involved in selling a car. Ultimately, when you take your vehicle to one of our dealerships, be ready to sell it then and there, rather than needing more time to clean it or do anything else. This makes things easier for everyone involved.

Can You Use Your Car as a Trade-In?

Although the friendly folks at our dealerships are happy to buy your vehicle outright, that is not your only option. If you are interested in getting a new car, it may be easier to use your current vehicle as a trade-in. This leverages the value of your old car to reduce the cost of your next vehicle, lowering the amount you'd have to finance.

Whether you want a new or used model, and whether you're getting a lease or a loan for your next ride, you can use your current car as a trade-in. Using it as a trade-in, rather than selling it now and buying another car later, can streamline the process and make things a lot simpler. You can discuss your options with our helpful folks to figure out what works best for you.

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Straightforward Help for Ann Arbor Drivers

As you can see, selling your vehicle does not have to be challenging or stressful. Trying to take care of everything on your own can make your life more complicated and even dangerous, so take your old car to a LaFontaine dealership and get the support you deserve.