Autotrader Private Seller Exchange explained for car sellers

CarTruvo publishes this guide and operates a competing vehicle marketplace. The comparison below uses provider information checked November 5, 2026. It does not describe a completed test transaction or an independent service review.

What does Private Seller Exchange do?

Autotrader describes PSX as an intermediary for a private sale. Its overview includes checking participants, facilitating funds and handling the title. Registration assistance depends on the state. Ask which services apply to your vehicle and buyer before assuming every administrative step is included. Autotrader’s seller overview

Start by separating three decisions. How will you find a buyer? Who will manage payment? Who will complete the title and registration process? A service can help with several of these, but you still need a clear plan for the vehicle’s condition, inspection and physical handoff.

How much does it cost?

At this check, Autotrader’s selling page advertised listing prices of $9, $29 or $49, depending on the asking price. Its footnote described an optional online purchase service that may involve a fee of 0.99% of the final selling price, with a $99 minimum. An older seller overview described a seller service charge differently. Confirm the current transaction terms, who pays each charge and any refund conditions before paying. Autotrader’s selling page, seller overview

Build your own cost sheet before choosing a route:

• Advertisement. Record the price shown for your vehicle. Ask what happens if the car sells elsewhere.
• Transaction service. Record your actual quoted charge, who pays it and when.
• Loan payoff. Get a current lender quote and confirm payment and lien release.
• Transport or preparation. Record your expected outlay and whether it is required for this sale.
• Expected proceeds. Subtract your costs and payoff from the agreed price. Mark figures that remain estimates.

For a purely hypothetical sale, a $16,000 price minus a $5,000 payoff and $300 in combined seller costs leaves $10,700. Replace every figure with your own. The $300 is invented for the arithmetic and is not a PSX fee quote.

Agree on the sequence before the appointment

Ask the service to explain the steps for your transaction in writing. Use these questions as a message you can adapt:

“My vehicle is registered in [state], its title status is [status], and [lender] holds the loan, if any. Please confirm eligibility, my total charges, the payment-release conditions, title instructions, and when the buyer may take possession. What happens if the inspection changes the agreement or either party stops the transaction?”

Write down who answers each question. Leave an unresolved item open until you have an answer. A handoff plan should specify the appointment, transport responsibility and the evidence each party needs before proceeding.

Keep payment and title instructions in the verified process

Autotrader warns that a PSX transaction requires payment and title documents to go through PSX. It says requests to send payment directly to the seller or the title directly to the buyer can indicate a scam. Its general fraud guidance also says vehicles listed on the website are not inspected by Autotrader. Arrange an appropriate inspection and access the service through its official website. Autotrader’s fraud guidance

For preparation, use our private-sale payment guide and seller paperwork checklist. Follow the instructions governing the transaction you actually choose.

How does this compare with listing on CarTruvo?

On CarTruvo, you advertise your car and speak with interested buyers. You and the buyer arrange inspection, vehicle payment, paperwork and handoff. CarTruvo provides no escrow or payment guarantee. A listing can help you seek a buyer, while the closing arrangements require your own preparation. See how selling on CarTruvo works.

Choose by the work you want help completing. If transaction assistance matters, ask PSX to confirm its scope and charges. If you want to advertise and arrange the sale directly, prepare your payment and transfer plan before creating a CarTruvo listing. Compare both with an actual outright purchase offer using our cash-selling guide.