How to Sell a Car in 2026: Complete A-Z Guide

Quick answer

A properly prepared car sells 2-3 weeks faster and for 5-15% more than one listed without preparation. According to WHEELSTREET data, the average private sale in Lithuania takes 3-6 weeks, while consignment through a dealer takes 1-3 weeks — with professional photos and a VIN report increasing the sale price by an average of €500-1,500.

Selling a car seems like a complex process to many: you need to set a price, write an advertisement, communicate with buyers, sort out documents and handle taxes. However, with proper preparation, the entire process becomes simple and clear. In this guide – everything you need to know to sell your car quickly, safely and for the best price.

Whether you're selling for the first time or you're an experienced seller – this article will help you through every step from preparing your car to finalizing the deal and declaring taxes.

What you'll find in this guide

• Car preparation for sale (cleaning, repairs, documents)
• Setting the right price
• Where and how to advertise your car
• The art of writing an advertisement
• Negotiations and communication with buyers
• Sales process through vehicle registration
• Car purchase agreement
• Taxes on car sales
• Selling to a foreigner or abroad
• Special cases (leasing, accidents, inheritance)
• Frequently asked questions

1. Car preparation for sale

First impressions matter most. Studies show that a well-prepared car sells for an average of €500–2,000 more than an identical but neglected vehicle. Invest a few hours and dozens of euros – it pays off.

Professional cleaning

Exterior cleaning:

• Professional car wash with waxing (€20–50)
• Wheel and rim cleaning
• Headlight polishing (if yellowed – €30–60)
• Window cleaning inside and out
• Plastic trim restoration with special cleaner

Interior cleaning:

• Vacuuming all seats and underneath
• Plastic trim cleaning and polishing
• For leather interiors – special cleaner + conditioner
• Floor mat cleaning or replacement (new universal ones – from €15)
• Odor removal (not masking with perfume, but genuine cleaning)
• Trunk organization

Tip: If the interior is very dirty, invest in professional chemical cleaning (€80–150). A clean interior signals to buyers that the car was well-maintained.

Minor repairs that increase value

Not all repairs pay off. Only fix what costs less than the value it adds to the car.

Golden rule: If a repair costs less than 50% of the value it adds – do it. For example, headlight polishing for €50 might add €200 in value.

Avoid major repairs. Engine or gearbox repairs costing €1,000–3,000 usually won't increase the car's price by the same amount. Better to sell cheaper and let the buyer decide.

Document preparation

Gather all documents BEFORE advertising your car. Prepared documents show you're a serious seller and speed up the deal.

Essential documents:

• Vehicle registration certificate
• Valid technical inspection (MOT)
• Personal identity document

Additional, but highly valued documents:

• Service history (receipts, invoices, service booklet)
• VIN report (carVertical, autoDNA) – €15–20
• Insurance certificate
• Spare keys
• Original documents (user manual, warranty booklet)

Tip: If you have a clean VIN report – it's a strong selling argument. You can present it to the buyer as a sign of trust. If you're confident about the car's history, order one yourself – it only costs €15–20 but can significantly increase buyer confidence in your listing.

Professional photos

Photos are the "face" of your listing. Most buyers decide whether to click on your ad in 2 seconds, looking at the main photo.

Quantity: 15–25 photos (the more – the better)

What to photograph:

• Front (slightly from the side, 45-degree angle – classic shot)
• Both sides
• Rear
• Interior from front doors (driver and passenger side)
• Back seat
• Dashboard with mileage (important!)
• Engine bay
• Trunk
• Wheels and tires (close-up)
• Defects – MANDATORY (honesty builds trust)

How to photograph:

• Clean car – only after washing
• Daylight, preferably overcast (no harsh shadows)
• Neutral background (not near dumpsters or construction sites)
• Horizontally (not vertically)
• Steady hand or tripod
• Don't obstruct the car with yourself or objects

What to avoid:

• Night photos with flash
• Photos of dirty car
• Too close or too distant shots
• Filters and excessive editing

2. How to set the right price

Correctly set price – half the success. Too high a price means the car "sits" for months and loses value. Too low – you lose money. The goal is to find the golden middle.

Market research

1. Autoplius.lt and Autogidas.lt

• Find 15–20 similar listings
• Filter by: make, model, year (±1 year), mileage (±20,000 km), engine, gearbox
• Note the price range and calculate the average

2. Mobile.de

• European market prices (reference)
• In Lithuania, prices are typically 5–15% higher than in Germany (due to transport costs and taxes)

3. WHEELSTREET value calculator

• Use our free car value calculator – it quickly shows your car's estimated value based on market data

Factors affecting price

Pricing strategy

Aggressive pricing (5–10% above market average):

• Suits unique cars with low mileage and full service history
• Will attract more negotiations
• Prepare to wait 1–3 months

Market pricing (market average):

• Safest strategy
• Will sell in 2–6 weeks
• Normal negotiations (buyers will negotiate 5–10% down)

Quick sale pricing (5–10% below market):

• Will sell in 1–2 weeks
• Less negotiation
• Good when you're in a hurry or want to avoid many viewings

Negotiation margin

Set two prices before advertising:

• Listed price – what you ask for
• Minimum acceptable price – below this you won't sell

Example:

2019 Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid, 75,000 km
Market average: €17,500
Listed price: €18,500
Minimum acceptable price: €16,800
Negotiation margin: €1,700 (about 9%)

Most common pricing mistakes

1. Too high a price due to emotion. "I invested so much in repairs" – buyers don't care about your investments, they care about market price.
2. "Final price" in listings. This deters buyers and reduces interest. Better to leave room for negotiation.
3. Ignore seasonality. Convertibles are more expensive in summer, 4x4s in autumn/winter. Plan sales by season.
4. Don't consider competition. If there are many of the same models on the market – your price needs to be competitive.

3. Where to advertise your car for sale

Where you advertise determines how many potential buyers you reach. Each channel has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Autoplius.lt – largest Lithuanian car portal

Advantages:

• Largest audience (most visitors in Lithuania)
• Serious, motivated buyers
• Good search system and filters
• You control the entire process

Disadvantages:

• Paid listing (from €1.99, depending on car price and listing duration)
• Lots of competition – need to stand out
• May receive many "viewers" without serious buying intent

Price: From €1.99 to ~€30, depending on car price segment and additional services (boost, highlighting).

Autogidas.lt

Advantages:

• Popular portal, second largest
• Good search
• Simpler listing submission

Disadvantages:

• Smaller audience than Autoplius
• Fewer additional features

Tip: Advertise on both portals – increases visibility.

Facebook Marketplace and groups

Advantages:

• Free
• Quick contact via Messenger
• Local buyers (can filter by city)
• Popular groups: "Cars Lithuania", "Autoplius alternative" and others

Disadvantages:

• Many time-wasters and unrealistic offers
• Fewer serious buyers
• Harder to filter and sort

When to use: As an additional channel alongside portals.

Car buying companies

Advantages:

• Very fast – sometimes within 1 day
• No need to communicate with buyers
• No need to show the car multiple times
• They handle documents

Disadvantages:

• 10–25% lower price than private sale
• Less flexibility in negotiations

When to use: When you're in a hurry, when the car is problematic (post-accident, with defects), or when you simply don't want to deal with the sales process.

Car brokers

Brokers – intermediaries who help sell cars. They take a commission, but you save time and often get a better price than car buying companies.

Advantages:

• Professional sales process
• No need to communicate with buyers yourself
• Help with documents and registration
• Often achieve better prices than buyback services

Disadvantages:

• Commission fee (typically 3–10%)
• Sale may take longer than buyback

WHEELSTREET offers a car sales service – we help from valuation to closing the deal. Contact us if you want to sell your car without hassle.

Comparison of sales channels

4. The art of writing an advertisement

A good listing is your sales strategy. It should answer all buyer questions and convince them your car deserves attention.

Title formula

A good title should be informative and attractive. Use this structure:

Formula: [Make] [Model] [Engine] | [Year] | [Main advantage]

Good examples:

• "Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid | 2019 | Full service history"
• "VW Golf 8 2.0 TDI | 2021 | First owner, 45,000 km"
• "BMW 320d xDrive | 2020 | M Sport package, panoramic roof"

Bad examples:

• "Selling BMW" – too little information
• "URGENT SALE!!!" – deters serious buyers
• "Trading or selling" – chaotic, doesn't look professional

Advertisement description structure

Use a clear structure so buyers quickly find the information they need:

BASIC INFORMATION:
- Year, mileage, engine type and displacement, power
- Gearbox (manual/automatic)
- Fuel type and consumption
- Equipment (exact model name)

CONDITION:
- Technical condition (engine, gearbox, suspension)
- Body condition (scratches, repainted parts)
- Tire condition and season
- MOT valid until [date]

EQUIPMENT AND ADVANTAGES:
- Most important options (navigation, leather, panoramic roof...)
- Recently replaced (tires, brakes, oil...)
- Winter and summer tires (if available)
- Additional equipment

HISTORY:
- Number of owners
- Country of origin
- Service history (where serviced)
- Any accidents (HONESTLY)

WHY SELLING:
- Brief explanation (upgrading to larger, buying new generation, etc.)

What to write and what not to write

Good:

• "Regularly serviced at official dealership, all receipts available"
• "New Michelin summer tires (2025)"
• "Single owner, original Lithuania, no accidents"
• "MOT valid until March 2027"
• "Just replaced brake discs and pads (receipt available)"

Bad:

• "Everything works" – means nothing, raises suspicion
• "Selling because I need money" – understandable, but signals urgency
• "Price is final" – deters buyers who want to negotiate
• "Exchanging for..." – not a sales listing
• "Car in perfect condition" – sounds like exaggeration
• "For experts only!" – indicates something is wrong

Principle of honesty

Always disclose known defects. Why?

1. Buyer will notice during inspection anyway
2. If you don't – you lose trust
3. You're legally obligated to disclose known defects
4. Honest sellers attract more serious buyers

5. Negotiations and communication with buyers

Negotiations are a natural part of selling a car. Every buyer expects to negotiate at least somewhat. Your goal is to sell for the best price without deterring serious buyers.

Preparation for negotiations

Before the first meeting:

1. Set your minimum price – below which you absolutely won't sell
2. Prepare your arguments – why your car is worth this price
3. Gather "proof of value" – service receipts, VIN report, MOT document
4. Decide if you can wait – if you're not in a hurry, you can be tougher in negotiations

Communication by phone and messages

First contact matters:

• Respond politely and quickly (within 1–2 hours)
• Give brief answers to questions
• Ask if the buyer is seriously interested or "just asking"
• Agree on a specific inspection location and time

Red flags (potential scammers):

• Asks if you'll accept payment through an intermediary
• Wants to pay by check from abroad
• Offers more than asked and asks to transfer the difference
• Doesn't want to visit for inspection
• Rushes to transfer money without viewing

During inspection

Location choice:

• Public, safe place (gas station, shopping center parking lot)
• During daytime
• Inform someone close where you're going

Let the buyer inspect:

• Don't rush
• Don't block the car
• Answer all questions honestly
• Show documents and service history

Test drive:

• Ask to see driver's license copy or photograph it
• Drive together (don't lend car to one person)
• Choose a route with varied road conditions
• Observe how the buyer treats the car

Popular buyer negotiation tactics and how to respond

"Another seller has the same car cheaper"

• Ask to see the listing
• Explain how your car differs (better condition, lower mileage, full history)

"There's a defect here, you should lower the price"

• If defect is already mentioned in listing – price already reflects it
• If defect is new to you – be open and discuss

"I only have X euros" (shows cash)

• Don't accept the first offer
• State your price and find a compromise

"I can take it now if you reduce the price"

• This is a good sign – buyer is serious
• You can offer a small discount (2–5%) if acceptable to you

Silence tactic:

• Buyer offers less, you pause briefly
• Creates psychological pressure – often buyer raises offer themselves

When to give in and when to hold firm

Give in if:

• Buyer's offer is close to your minimum
• Car has been listed for long (4+ weeks)
• Season is changing when prices will drop
• Buyer is serious and ready to buy immediately

Hold firm if:

• Car just listed (too early to reduce)
• Buyer's offer is unrealistic (far below market)
• You have other interested buyers
• Car is unique and in high demand

What not to do in negotiations

• Don't show you're in a hurry to sell
• Don't accept the first offer (even if it suits you – pause first)
• Don't get insulted at low offers – just politely decline
• Don't lower price after every buyer question
• Don't lie about "another buyer" – if discovered, you lose trust

6. Sales process through vehicle registration

Car sales in Lithuania are officially recorded through the Vehicle Ownership Declaration System (SDK). As of May 1, 2023, an updated registration procedure is in effect, where each car has a unique owner declaration code (SDK).

How the SDK system works

SDK is a unique 8-character code assigned to a specific car owner. When you sell the car, the SDK changes – the new buyer gets a new code.

Important: The seller must hand over the SDK code to the buyer or change ownership through the vehicle registration authority system.

Sales steps through vehicle registration

Step 1: Sign the purchase-sale agreement

• Both parties sign the agreement (details in next section)
• Agreement states the true sales price

Step 2: Get or hand over SDK

• Online (eregitra.lt) – free
• Registration office – €4.20

Step 3: Buyer registers the car in their name

• Via registration authority online system or office
• Buyer pays registration certificate fee: €11.30 (online – €9.04 with 20% discount)
• If new license plates needed: additional €20–30

Step 4: Inform your insurer

• Cancel or transfer your compulsory civil liability insurance
• Recover insurance premium refund for remaining period

Online or at office?

Recommendation: Use the online system – faster, cheaper and more convenient.

Who pays what?

Traditionally in Lithuania:

• Seller: Pays for ad posting, car preparation
• Buyer: Pays registration fees, SDK fee (if at office), registration certificate, license plates (if changing)

However, these can be negotiated individually – it's a negotiation matter.

Deadlines

• Buyer must re-register car within 30 days of purchase
• If buyer doesn't re-register – seller can contact registration authority stating the car was sold

Tip: After sale, check the registration authority system to confirm the car is registered in the buyer's name. If not – contact the buyer or inform the authority. Otherwise, you could receive penalties for the buyer's violations.

7. Car purchase-sale agreement

A car purchase-sale agreement is a legal document protecting both seller and buyer. Use an official template or download from the registration authority website.

What the agreement must contain

Mandatory information:

1. Agreement date and location – when and where signed
2. Seller information:
   • Full name
   • Personal ID number
   • Address
   • Phone number
3. Buyer information:
   • Full name
   • Personal ID number (or company code)
   • Address
   • Phone number
4. Car information:
   • Make and model
   • State registration number
   • Identification number (VIN)
   • Year of issue
   • Engine displacement and power
   • Body color
   • Registration certificate series and number
   • Owner declaration code (SDK)
5. Sales price – in figures and words
6. Payment method – cash, bank transfer or mixed
7. Car condition – whether accident damaged, known defects
8. MOT validity – whether technical inspection valid at time of signing
9. Signatures of both parties

Important agreement conditions

Declaration of car condition: Seller must state whether the car was damaged during their ownership. This is not only a moral but also a legal requirement – hiding known defects can lead to compensation claims.

Payment terms:

• If transaction over €5,000 – not all can be paid in cash
• Up to €5,000 can be cash, remainder must be bank transfer
• Always specify how and when payment will be made

Car transfer moment: Specify when the car is physically handed over to the buyer – upon signing or after full payment.

Payment security

Safest payment methods:

1. Bank transfer – most reliable, leaves proof
2. Cash – verify authenticity, count on-site (up to €5,000)
3. Mixed – cash portion up to €5,000, remainder via transfer

Avoid:

• Checks (may bounce)
• "I'll transfer later" or "transfer in installments" – NEVER
• Payment through unknown third parties or platforms

Most common agreement mistakes

1. Stating too low a price. Might seem like a "good deal" to buyer, but if they later resell higher – they pay much more tax. VMI may also question you.
2. Not mentioning defects. Legally you must disclose known defects.
3. Using foreign country agreement. Always use a Lithuanian purchase-sale agreement.
4. Not having two copies. Always have one copy for each party.
5. Not stating payment method. Can cause disputes later.

Digital or paper agreement?

Currently in Lithuania, car purchase-sale agreements can be:

• Paper – classic version, signed by both parties
• Electronic – possible if signed with qualified electronic signature

The simplest and most common option is a paper agreement, signed in two copies.

8. Taxes on car sales

Taxes are the most question-generating aspect of car sales. Here's a brief overview; for detailed information with examples, declaration instructions and all situations, see our special article: Car Sales Taxes in Lithuania 2026.

Basic rule: 3-year threshold

Income tax formula

Tax = (Sale price - Purchase price - Mandatory payments) × 15%

Example:

• Bought 2 years ago for €12,000
• Selling for €15,000
• Mandatory payments (registration): €100
• Profit: €15,000 - €12,000 - €100 = €2,900
• Tax: €2,900 × 15% = €435

Important from 2026

From 2026, income tax rates are differentiated by income level:

• 15% – income portion up to €27,654 per year
• 20% – income portion €27,654 to €82,962 per year
• 25% – income portion €82,962 to €138,270 per year
• 32% – income portion over €138,270 per year

Car sales profit is added to other annual income, so higher rates may apply to high-income earners.

Declaration

• Declare by May 2 of the following year via Personal Tax Account (Income Tax return)
• Sold in 2026 – declare by May 2, 2027

VAT situations

VAT normally doesn't apply to private sellers. However, if selling as part of business assets or conducting car trading activity – VAT may apply. In such cases, consult an accountant.

For complete and detailed information on taxes, declaration process, examples and common situations, read our article: Car Sales Taxes in Lithuania 2026.

9. Selling to a foreigner or abroad

Selling a car to a foreign citizen or exporting it has several additional steps.

Selling to an EU citizen

This is relatively straightforward due to free movement of goods within the EU.

Steps:

1. Sign a purchase-sale agreement (recommended in two languages – Lithuanian and English)
2. Deregister the car from the vehicle registry
3. Buyer receives temporary (transit) license plates to drive to their country
4. Buyer registers the car in their country

VAT: When selling a used car to an EU citizen as a private person – no VAT applies on either side (since you're not VAT registered). However, new cars (up to 6 months old or up to 6,000 km mileage) have special VAT rules.

Payment: We recommend bank transfer before handing over the car. Avoid cash from an unknown foreign buyer.

Selling to a non-EU citizen

If the buyer is from outside the EU (e.g., Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia), the process is more complex:

Steps:

1. Sign a purchase-sale agreement
2. Deregister the car from the vehicle registry
3. Buyer or their representative must complete customs procedures (export declaration)
4. May need transit insurance
5. Buyer exports the car from EU territory

Customs formalities:

• Export declaration required (EAD/MRN)
• Car details (VIN, make, model, year)
• Purchase-sale agreement

Tip: If unfamiliar with export procedures – hire a customs broker or trading intermediary to handle documents.

Export documents

10. Special cases

Sometimes car sales aren't standard. Here are the main special cases and how to handle them.

Selling a leased car

If the car was purchased with leasing and the contract hasn't ended – the car formally belongs to the leasing company, not you. Therefore, you can't sell it directly.

Options:

1. Early lease termination:

• Contact the leasing company
• Find out remaining amount (residual value + early termination fee)
• Early termination fee typically equals 1–3 months' payments
• Pay remaining amount, car becomes yours – then sell normally

2. Lease transfer (assignment):

• Some leasing companies allow transferring the contract to another person
• New buyer takes over your lease contract with same terms
• Usually administrative fee applies (€50–200)
• Not all companies allow this – check

3. Sell through the leasing company:

• Some companies help you sell the car
• They close the lease and transfer difference to you between sale price and remaining debt

Important: Never try to sell a leased car without informing the leasing company – this can have legal consequences.

Selling a car after an accident

Selling a car after an accident is legal and common, but requires honesty.

What you must do:

• State in the agreement that the car was accident-damaged
• Describe the extent of damage and repairs performed
• Provide repair documents (if available)

Price reality:

• Car after serious accident typically loses 20–40% of value, even with professional repairs
• After minor accident (small body work) – 5–15% value loss
• If repairs professionally done with documentation – value loss smaller

Where to sell:

• Buying companies often purchase accident-damaged cars
• Special lots that buy cars for parts
• Private buyers who repair cars themselves

Tip: If repairs would cost more than the car's value – sell as "accident-damaged" or for parts. This can be more profitable than expensive repairs.

Selling an inherited car

If you inherited a car, before selling it, you must take several steps.

Process:

1. Get an inheritance rights certificate from a notary
2. Re-register the car in your name at the vehicle registry (submitting inheritance documents)
3. Then you can sell the car normally

Taxes:

• Inherited value counts as purchase price (for tax calculation)
• 3-year term counted from inheritance date, not previous owner's date
• If inherited and immediately sell for more than inherited value – may need to pay tax

Tip: If planning to sell an inherited car – worth waiting 3 years from inheritance to avoid tax. However, consider whether the car's depreciation over 3 years exceeds potential tax.

Car registered in company name

If the car is registered in company name (LLC, IE, SB):

• Sale is done through the company
• VAT may apply (21%) – depends on whether VAT was deductible at purchase
• Profit taxed at profit tax (15% or 5% for small companies)
• Accounting documents needed (invoice)

Tip: Consult an accountant – company car sales have specific nuances.

Car with technical defects

If the car has serious technical defects (engine, gearbox problems):

Options:

1. Sell "as-is" – stating all defects, lower price
2. Sell to a buying company – they buy any condition cars
3. Sell for parts – sometimes parts are more valuable than whole car
4. Repair and sell – only if repair cost much less than value increase

11. Car sale checklist

Don't forget anything – use this checklist:

Before advertising

• Car washed (exterior and interior)
• Minor defects fixed
• Documents collected (registration certificate, MOT, service history)
• VIN report ordered (recommended)
• Photos taken (15–25, good quality)
• Market price researched
• Listed price and minimum price set

When advertising

• Listed on Autoplius/Autogidas
• Additionally posted on Facebook
• Clear title and structured description
• All advantages AND disadvantages mentioned

During transaction

• Buyer's identity verified
• Agreement signed in two copies
• True price stated in agreement
• Full payment received before handing over car
• Cash amount doesn't exceed €5,000

After sale

• SDK/Registration re-registration completed or initiated
• Insurance company informed
• Verified that buyer re-registered car
• Agreement copy stored (at least 5 years)
• Taxes calculated and declaration planned (if needed)

12. Timing strategy: when to sell for most

Car prices fluctuate depending on season, market conditions and specific car type.

Seasonal patterns

Specific cases

• SUV and 4x4: Sell best in autumn (September–November) when preparing for winter
• Convertibles: Price can be 10–20% higher in spring and summer
• Economy cars: Sell well year-round
• Premium brands: Less seasonal, but spring still better

Market conditions impact

In 2025–2026, Lithuania's used car market stabilized after 2022–2023 price surge. Most popular models (Volkswagen Passat, Toyota Corolla, Skoda Octavia, Nissan Qashqai) maintain good demand. Diesel still dominates (~60%), but hybrids and EVs' share growing.

13. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How long does it take to sell a car?

On average 2–6 weeks if price is right and listing is quality. Very popular models (Toyota, VW, Skoda) can sell within a week. Rare or expensive cars may take 1–3 months.

Can I sell a car without valid MOT?

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