Selling your car fast in Quebec is possible when you go about it the right way. Here are the 5 most effective strategies, their advantages and their pitfalls, with concrete tips to maximize your price.
1. Sell to a dealership (the fastest)
Timeline: 24 to 48 hours.
Effort: Minimal, a single appointment.
Price: 5 to 15% below private resale value.
Dealerships buy even the vehicles they will not put on the showroom floor, and liquidate them at auction. It is the ideal option if you prioritize speed and simplicity.
Tip: ask BonAuto for a free appraisal before posting your ad elsewhere. It gives you a price floor.
2. Trade-in at a dealership (tax advantage)
If you are buying a replacement vehicle at a dealership, the trade-in is even more attractive. Why? Because the trade-in value is deducted from the taxable amount of the new vehicle.
Example: your car is worth $8,000 as a trade-in. You buy at $25,000. You pay taxes (14.975%) only on $17,000 → a saving of ~$1,198 in taxes.
3. Private sale (best price but slower)
Timeline: 2 to 6 weeks.
Effort: Photos, ad, viewings, negotiations, SAAQ paperwork.
Price: The highest.
The best sites in Quebec: Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, AutoHebdo. Prepare:
- 10-15 quality photos (exterior, interior, engine, damage).
- Complete description (mileage, options, history, reason for the sale).
- A fair price based on the Hebdo guide or KBB.
- A recent Carfax at $25, a major selling point.
4. Online auction (for niche or older vehicles)
Cars & Bids, Bring a Trailer (BaT) and Encan Olympia are excellent for collector, sports or rare vehicles. Not ideal for a standard family sedan.
5. Gift or scrap (last resort option)
If your vehicle no longer runs or needs more repairs than it is worth, scrap dealers pay $200 to $800 depending on weight and condition. Also retrieve your licence plate to get a refund from the SAAQ.
Documents to provide (whatever the option)
- Original registration certificate (in your name).
- Valid driver's licence.
- Recent mechanical inspection (if applicable).
- Maintenance logbook and repair invoices.
- If financed: release letter from the creditor.
Our recommendation
For most situations, a trade-in at a dealership offers the best speed/price ratio thanks to the tax advantage. If you are not buying a replacement vehicle, a private sale gives the best net price but takes more patience.
Get your free estimate: no obligation, in under 2 minutes. We reply with a realistic and transparent price.