Selling guide · data as of Oct 20, 2026
Why a dealer offer is below retail, and what it pays for
A dealer's cash offer will be below what your car could bring on a retail lot. That is not a trick; it is the cost and risk of turning your car into a retail sale. Here is what the gap pays for, so you can judge any offer, including ours.
Where the gap goes
Reconditioning
Inspection, fluids, brakes, tires, paint correction, detail and anything the inspection finds. Retail buyers expect a car that needs nothing.
Transport
Getting the car to the dealer, often in an enclosed truck for these cars.
Holding cost
Every day a car sits costs money: floor-plan interest or tied-up cash, insurance and lot space. Specialty cars can take weeks or months to find the right buyer.
Selling cost
Photos, listings, advertising, staff time and fees.
Market risk
Prices can move while the car is waiting to sell, and the dealer carries that risk instead of you.
A margin
A business has to make something on each car to stay in business and keep buying.
Why 100% of retail would mean sitting on the car
An offer at full retail leaves nothing for any of the above, so the only way a buyer could pay it is to hope the market rises. That is why our offers usually land around 80 to 85 percent of retail market value, depending on the car, its price, condition, transport distance and how quickly that model sells. What you get for the difference: a firm number in 1 business hour, no listing, no strangers or test drives, payoff handled, enclosed pickup and payment by wire or certified check.
When selling yourself pays more
If you have time, a car in demand, and patience for calls, test drives and payment risk, a private sale can net more. If you would rather not, or the car needs work, a firm offer is often worth the difference. Consignment sits in between; see sell, trade or consign.
How to check any offer
Look up recent sales of your exact model on 911 Tracker, not asking prices. Compare like with like: miles, spec and condition. Then ask the buyer how they got their number. We will show you ours.
Data: 911 Tracker, VIN-checked sales and live listings in the US, built by 911 Buyers. Counts cover the cars 911 Tracker records, not every sale in the country. Problem descriptions come from the sources linked next to each one. This guide is general information, not an appraisal or an inspection.