Edmunds: Trade or sell your car? What's best might surprise you

According to a recent Edmunds used vehicle report, demand for used cars is dropping and so are their values as the new-car market rebounds from pandemic-induced shortages. This is especially true for 1- and 2-year-old vehicles. So there’s never been a more critical time to know whether it’s better to sell your car privately or trade it in.

Both options have their advantages and drawbacks, and the best decision largely depends on your circumstances, priorities and preferences. Edmunds’ experts run down what you need to know to make an informed decision.

SELLING PRIVATELY

Selling your vehicle privately will likely yield a higher sales price than trading in at a dealership. By doing so, you’re essentially cutting out the middleman. But you’ll likely pay for that profit in the time and energy you spend marketing your car, negotiating a sale, and managing the transaction itself. Whether a private sale is worth it comes down to time — how much you have and how you want to spend it.