What platforms should I list my car on?

List on all three major platforms simultaneously: Facebook Marketplace (largest audience), Craigslist (deal hunters and cash buyers), and OfferUp (mobile-first younger buyers). This multi-platform approach increases exposure by 40% and reduces time to sell by 30%.

How many photos do I need to sell a car fast?

Take 15-20 high-quality photos for optimal results. This includes exterior from all angles, interior shots, engine bay, trunk, tires, and any flaws. Listings with 15+ photos sell for 10-15% more than those with only 3-5 photos.

What is the best time to list a car for sale?

List your car Thursday evening or Sunday afternoon for maximum visibility. Thursday catches buyers planning weekend viewings, while Sunday reaches people actively searching. Avoid Monday mornings when engagement is lowest.

Should I price high or low to sell fast?

For fast sales, price 5-8% below market value. For maximum price, list at market value but expect 3-4 weeks to sell. The "fast sale discount" of 5-8% typically equals 2-3 weeks of holding costs, making it worthwhile for most sellers.

How fast should I respond to inquiries?

Respond within 1 hour for best results. Sellers who respond within an hour convert 3x more inquiries to in-person viewings. After 24 hours, most buyers have moved on to other listings.

How do I handle low-ball offers?

Don't ignore low-ball offers - counter professionally. Say "I appreciate the offer, but based on market value and condition, the lowest I can go is $X." Many low-ballers will negotiate up. Some are testing, others have budget constraints but may stretch for the right car.

AutoHunter Blog | Used Car Market Insights & Guides

For platform-specific strategies, see our guides to Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and OfferUp.

Why Multi-Platform Listing Wins

Listing your car on multiple platforms increases exposure by 40% and reduces average time to sale from 28 days to 18 days. Each platform reaches different buyer demographics - limiting yourself to one means missing potential buyers.

The effort to cross-post is minimal: create one excellent listing, then adapt it for each platform. The payoff is significant: faster sales, more buyer competition, and often better final prices.

Platform Strategy Overview

How to use each platform in your multi-platform strategy
Platform	Audience	Pricing Strategy	Best For
Facebook Marketplace	Largest, most active	At market value	Primary listing, fastest response
Craigslist	Deal hunters, flippers	At market (negotiate down)	Serious buyers, cash deals
OfferUp	Mobile-first, younger	Slightly below market	Quick sales, verified buyers
Cars.com/AutoTrader	Serious buyers	At or above market	Premium vehicles over $15K

Facebook Marketplace: Your Primary Platform

Start here. Facebook Marketplace has the largest audience, fastest response rates, and best mobile experience. List at full market value - Facebook buyers are less aggressive negotiators than Craigslist users.

Craigslist: Serious Buyers and Cash Deals

Craigslist attracts experienced buyers, including car flippers. Price at market but expect negotiations. The upside: Craigslist buyers often pay cash and close quickly once they commit.

OfferUp: Mobile-First Younger Buyers

OfferUp's audience skews younger and mobile-first. Consider pricing slightly below your Facebook price to attract this demographic. The TruYou verification system helps you stand out as a trustworthy seller.

The Photo Strategy That Sells Cars

Photos are the single biggest factor in selling price and speed. Listings with 15-20 high-quality photos sell for 10-15% more than those with minimal photos.

Photo Quantity Impact on Sale Price

Relative sale price by number of photos (baseline = 10-15 photos)

Essential Photo Checklist

Complete photo checklist for maximum sale price
Photo Type	What to Capture	Why It Matters
Front 3/4	Full front and side view	First impression, main listing photo
Rear 3/4	Full rear and side view	Shows body condition, taillights
Both Sides	Full side profiles	Reveals dents, scratches, wheel condition
Front Direct	Straight-on front view	Grille, headlights, bumper condition
Rear Direct	Straight-on rear view	Tailgate, bumper, exhaust
Dashboard	Full instrument cluster	Mileage verification, warning lights
Infotainment	Center console and screen	Technology features, condition
Front Seats	Driver and passenger area	Wear, stains, leather condition
Rear Seats	Back seat area	Space, condition, child seat anchors
Trunk/Cargo	Full cargo area	Space, spare tire, cargo features
Engine Bay	Clean engine compartment	Maintenance evidence, no leaks
Tires	Tread depth visible	Tire condition, need for replacement
Wheels	Close-up of each wheel	Curb rash, brake dust, condition
Any Flaws	Scratches, dents, wear	Transparency builds trust
VIN Plate	Dashboard VIN visible	Verification for serious buyers

Photo Quality Tips

Lighting: Shoot during "golden hour" (1 hour after sunrise or before sunset) for best results
Background: Clean, uncluttered background - avoid busy streets or messy garages
Clean first: Wash exterior, vacuum interior, clean windows before photos
Angles: Shoot from slight angles rather than straight-on for more dynamic images
Landscape orientation: Horizontal photos display better on all platforms
Include flaws: Photographing scratches or dents builds trust and prevents surprises at viewing

First Photo Is Everything

Your first photo is the thumbnail that determines whether buyers click. Use a front 3/4 angle shot with good lighting, showing the vehicle's best side. This single photo can make or break your listing performance.

Pricing Strategy for Fast Sales

Research Market Value

Check Kelley Blue Book private party value
Search Facebook, Craigslist, and OfferUp for identical vehicles
Note asking prices AND sold prices (Facebook shows "marked as sold")
Adjust for your specific condition, mileage, and options

Pricing Strategies

Fast sale (5-8% below market): Sell in 1-2 weeks, sacrifice some profit
Balanced (at market): Sell in 2-4 weeks, fair price for both parties
Maximum price (5% above market): May take 4-6 weeks, need patience

The True Cost of Holding

Every week your car sits unsold costs money: insurance (~$25/week), depreciation (~$50-100/week), and opportunity cost if you've already bought a replacement. A 5% price reduction that sells the car 2 weeks faster often nets more money.

Writing Listings That Sell

Title Formula

[Year] [Make] [Model] [Trim] - [Key Feature] - [Mileage]K Miles

Example: "2015 Honda Accord EX-L - Leather, Sunroof - 78K Miles"

Description Structure

Opening hook: Why this car is worth attention
Key specs: Year, make, model, mileage, transmission
Features list: Notable options and equipment
Condition notes: Honest assessment of interior/exterior
Maintenance history: Recent work completed
Why selling: Builds trust (upgrading, moving, etc.)
Call to action: How to reach you, when available

Example Listing Description

2015 Honda Accord EX-L - Excellent Condition

Well-maintained one-owner Accord with every service record since new. Perfect for commuting or family use.

Details:

78,000 miles - all highway commuting
2.4L 4-cylinder, automatic transmission
Clean title, no accidents

Features:

Leather heated seats
Power sunroof
Honda LaneWatch blind spot camera
Backup camera
Bluetooth, USB, satellite radio

Recent maintenance:

New tires (500 miles ago)
Fresh oil change
Brake pads replaced at 70K

Selling because I'm upgrading to an SUV for a growing family. This has been an amazing car - 78K trouble-free miles.

$14,500 firm. Text or call [number]. Available evenings and weekends for viewings.

Response Strategy

Speed Matters

Respond within 1 hour for 3x better conversion. Buyers are often searching multiple listings - the seller who responds first gets the viewing.

Enable notifications on all platforms
Prepare template responses for common questions
Be available evenings and weekends when buyers are active

Qualifying Buyers

Not every inquiry deserves a viewing. Look for:

Specific questions about the vehicle (shows genuine interest)
Willingness to come to you (or meet halfway)
Reasonable timeline (viewing within 2-3 days)
Realistic expectations on price

Handling Low-Ball Offers

Don't dismiss low offers - counter professionally:

Acknowledge: "Thanks for your interest in the car."
Counter: "Based on condition and market value, my best price is $X."
Leave room: Many low-ballers will negotiate up significantly

Timeline Optimization

Best Days to List

Thursday evening: Catches weekend planners
Sunday afternoon: Highest active browsing time
Avoid: Monday morning (lowest engagement)

First Week Is Critical

60% of sales happen in the first 7 days. Your listing gets maximum visibility when new. If it hasn't sold in week one:

Refresh/renew the listing
Update the first photo
Consider a 5% price reduction
Add more detail to the description

WATCH

Multi-platform listing with optimized photos and quick responses sells cars 40% faster.

List on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and OfferUp simultaneously. Invest time in 15-20 quality photos. Price strategically based on your timeline. Respond to inquiries within an hour. This approach consistently outperforms single-platform listings in both speed and final sale price.

Pros

40% more exposure than single-platform
Faster sales (18 days vs 28 days average)
More buyer competition often means better prices
Reaches different buyer demographics on each platform

Cons

More inquiries to manage
Need to track which platform buyers come from
Must remove listings from all platforms when sold
Some duplicate inquiries if buyers search multiple platforms

Recommendation

Always list on all three major platforms. The minimal extra effort of cross-posting pays off in faster sales and better prices. Focus your energy on photo quality and response speed - these two factors have the biggest impact on results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Price Your Car Right

AutoHunter analyzes real-time market data to help you price your car competitively - maximizing both speed and profit on your sale.

Start Free Trial

Platform Guide

OfferUp Cars Guide

Safety

Safe Car Transactions

Verification

VIN Check Guide