can an auto shop sell your car

[Reyes]

Yes, many auto repair shops offer a service to help you sell your car, but it's not their primary business like a dealership. Typically, this works through a consignment model. You leave the car at the shop, they handle the listing, showings, and negotiations for a fee or percentage of the final sale price. The main advantage is leveraging their credibility and customer traffic; potential buyers may trust a car vetted by a reputable mechanic.

However, this is very different from a shop buying your car outright. They are acting as a broker, not a purchaser. For a quick, guaranteed sale, you'd look at services like selling to a dealership, a car-buying service (e.g., CarMax, Carvana), or a private sale.

Before considering a shop, weigh these key factors:

• Shop's Reputation and Reach: A well-known shop with a strong online presence and high foot traffic will have a much better chance of selling your car quickly than a small, unknown garage.
• Fees and Commission: Understand their pricing structure. Commission rates can vary widely, typically between 10-20% of the sale price. Get this in writing.
• Vehicle Presentation: The shop should detail the car and ensure it's in presentable condition. Ask about their process for handling test drives.
• Transparency: You should have a clear contract outlining the asking price, the commission fee, who holds the title, and the duration of the agreement.

Selling Method	Typical Speed	Potential Profit	Convenience Level	Best For
Auto Shop Consignment	Moderate (weeks)	Higher than trade-in, less than private sale	High (shop manages process)	Those wanting a hands-off approach with some profit
Private Party Sale	Slowest (can take months)	Highest	Lowest (you handle everything)	Sellers with time to maximize profit
Selling to Dealer	Fastest (same day)	Lowest	Highest (immediate payment)	Those prioritizing speed and convenience over profit
Online Car Buyer (Carvana)	Very Fast (24-48 hours)	Low to Moderate	Very High (online offer)	People seeking a quick, fair market offer with minimal hassle

Ultimately, an auto shop can be a good middle-ground option if you want more money than a dealership offers but don't want the hassle of a private sale.

[AlexisLee]

In my experience, it's a mixed bag. My local shop offered to sell my old SUV. They took photos, put it on their lot, and handled the calls. It sold in two weeks. They took a 15% cut, but I still got more than the dealership offered and didn't have to deal with strangers test-driving it. It worked because it's a trusted shop in town. I'd only do it with a mechanic I already knew and respected.

[LeAva]

Think of it as them being a sales agent, not a buyer. They won't write you a check on the spot. Instead, you agree on a price, and they try to find a buyer from their customer base, taking a commission. The big plus is their credibility—a car sold by a mechanic implies it's been checked over. The downside? It might sit on their lot for a while, and their cut comes out of your pocket.