Set up to sell
Set up eBay first, because it reaches buyers nationwide who search by part number, then add Facebook Marketplace for heavy parts and fast local cash.
Opening your eBay seller account
- Choose personal or business. Upgrading personal to business is permanent, and your bank account type must match (eBay).
- Have ready: legal name, street address (no PO box), date of birth, SSN (or EIN), and a checking account in the same name. Savings accounts and PayPal can't receive payouts (eBay).
- New sellers have money held: 2 days after delivery with an eBay label, 7 days with an outside label, 31 days with no tracking. Holds end after at least 10 sales totaling $150+ with a clean record (eBay). Always buy labels through eBay early on.
- eBay sets monthly selling limits (count and dollars) and raises them as you build history. Check yours in Seller Hub (eBay).
- From Nov 4, 2026, payouts for many US private sellers become on-demand by default. Set an automatic schedule if you want money to reach your bank on its own (eBay).
eBay fees for car and truck parts (fees, Store fees)
| Setup | Monthly cost | Final value fee on parts | Free listings / month |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Store | $0 | 13.6% (up to $7,500) | 250, then $0.35 each |
| Starter Store | $4.95 yearly plan / $7.95 monthly | 13.6% | 250 |
| Basic Store | $21.95 yearly plan / $27.95 monthly | 11.5% up to $1,000, 2.35% above | 1,000 |
| Premium Store | $59.95 yearly plan / $74.95 monthly | 11.5% up to $1,000, 2.35% above | 10,000 |
Every order also pays $0.30 (orders $10 or less) or $0.40 (over $10). Selling abroad adds 1.65% unless you use eBay International Shipping. Falling to "Below Standard" adds 6% to your fees.
When a Basic Store pays for itself. It saves 2.1 points on parts fees, so it breaks even at about $1,045 a month in parts sales on the yearly plan, or about $1,331 on the monthly plan. It also gives 750 more free listings, worth $262.50 if you'd otherwise pay $0.35 each. Big-ticket parts benefit most: above $1,000, a Store pays 2.35% instead of 13.6%.
Top Rated Plus cuts final value fees by 10% once you're Top Rated and offer 1-day handling plus 30-day free returns (eBay).
Where else to sell
| Channel | Fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook Marketplace | Free for local pickup; 10% (min $0.80) on shipped checkout orders | Wheels, seats, doors, bumpers, engines, quick local cash |
| Facebook buy-sell-trade and make-specific groups | Usually free | Enthusiast parts, local buyers |
| Craigslist | Free for auto parts by owner | Big local items |
| OfferUp | Free local; about 12.9% shipped | Local sales |
| Mercari | 10% | Small parts that ship easily |
| Make-specific forums, e.g. TheSamba | Usually free | Rare and enthusiast parts |
| Remanufacturers and scrap yards | They pay you | Alternator and starter cores, scrap metal |
Not a fit for beginners: Amazon (auto parts are gated and used parts generally aren't allowed) and Car-Part.com (licensed recyclers only).
General education, not legal or tax advice. Fees, carrier rates and rules change; check the linked sources before you rely on a number.