Selling cars is one of the first ways new players make money in GTA Online, and one of the easiest ways to free up garage space later. But the rules differ a lot between story mode and online, between stolen cars and cars you bought, and between Los Santos Customs and the business systems Rockstar has added over the years. This guide explains how to sell cars in GTA 5, how much you get, the limits Rockstar applies, and the best ways to turn vehicles into money.
Can you sell cars in GTA 5 story mode?
No. In story mode you cannot sell cars at Los Santos Customs or anywhere else. Michael, Franklin and Trevor can buy cars from websites such as Legendary Motorsport and store them in their garages, but there is no sell option. If you want money in story mode, focus on missions, heists and the stock market tricks tied to Lester’s assassination missions. Selling cars is an online feature.
How to sell a car in GTA Online
- Drive the car you want to sell to any Los Santos Customs (LSC) location. There are shops in the city, near the airport, in Burton, La Mesa and in Harmony, plus Beeker’s Garage in Paleto Bay.
- Drive inside. The mod shop menu opens.
- Scroll down to Sell. The menu shows the price you will receive.
- Confirm the sale. The money goes straight to your bank, and the car is removed from your garage if it was a personal vehicle.
Benny’s Original Motor Works sells upgrades but uses the same system: sell cars at LSC to see the sell option.
How much money do you get?
Stolen street cars
Cars stolen from the street sell for a few thousand GTA dollars at most, depending on the model and condition. Damage reduces the price, so get the car repaired first if the repair is cheap. High-end sports cars and supercars stolen from the street usually cannot be sold; the shop says they are too hot, which stops players from making easy money with stolen exotic cars.
Cars you bought
Personal vehicles bought from in-game websites sell for a percentage of what you paid, typically around half of the purchase price plus a share of the value of upgrades you added. That means selling a car always loses money compared with what you paid, so it is mainly a way to recover funds from vehicles you no longer use rather than a money-making method.
Sell limits and cooldowns
Rockstar limits how often you can sell cars at Los Santos Customs to stop exploits. Traditionally the limit has been one car per in-game day, which is about 48 real minutes, and selling too often shows a message that you must wait. Rockstar has changed these limits in updates, so if the sell option is greyed out, wait and try again later. Cars bought with free promotional money or received as rewards may sell for less, and some event vehicles cannot be sold at all.
Better ways to make money from cars
Import/Export (Vehicle Cargo)
As a CEO with a vehicle warehouse, you steal high-end cars to order, store them, and later export them to buyers for large payouts. This is one of the best car-based money makers in GTA Online. See how to register as a CEO.
Auto Shop contracts
The Los Santos Tuners update added the Auto Shop, where you complete robbery contracts and service customer cars by modifying them and delivering them back for payment.
Exotic Exports
Rockstar added a daily Exotic Exports list of ten specific cars hidden around the map. Find them, deliver them to the docks, and earn a payout for each, plus a bonus for completing the whole list.
Tips before you sell a car
- Check whether the car is part of a collection or tied to an achievement before selling.
- Remove expensive upgrades you want to keep using on another car; you cannot transfer them.
- Do not sell a car you might want to use in races, since buying it back costs full price.
- Use the free car from the Lucky Wheel or prize ride only if you will drive it; many cannot be sold.
How to steal a car worth selling
If you are a new player with little money, selling stolen street cars is a slow but steady way to earn your first few thousand dollars. Look for mid-range cars in wealthier areas such as Rockford Hills and Vinewood Hills, where better models spawn. Avoid damaging the car on the way to Los Santos Customs, because damage lowers the price. Use quiet streets and avoid police; if you get a wanted level, lose it before entering the shop, since LSC will not let you in while you are wanted. Remember that the sell limit means you can only do this occasionally, so combine it with contact missions and businesses.
Should you sell or keep a car?
Selling makes sense when you need space for new vehicles, when a car no longer fits how you play, or when you need quick money for a business upgrade. Keeping makes sense for cars you race, cars that are no longer sold (some vehicles are removed from websites and return only occasionally), and weaponized vehicles you use in missions. A useful habit is to sell only the cars you have not driven for weeks, and to check Rockstar’s weekly updates first, because discounts often let you buy a better replacement cheaply.
Garages and storage
You can store many cars across apartments, garages, the Eclipse Boulevard Garage, the Agency, the Auto Shop and other properties. If your garages are full, buying a new car asks which car to replace, and the replaced car is sold automatically for its normal sale value. Plan your garage layout so important cars are not replaced by mistake.
Selling cars FAQ
Why can’t I sell my car at Los Santos Customs?
It may be a high-end stolen car that is too hot, a promotional car that cannot be sold, or you may have hit the sell cooldown.
Can you sell cars in GTA 5 story mode?
No. Selling is only available in GTA Online.
How much do you get for selling a car you bought?
Roughly half the purchase price, plus part of the value of upgrades.
What is the best way to make money from cars?
Import/Export as a CEO and Exotic Exports pay far more than selling cars at LSC.
Do I need to repair a car before selling it?
Repairing a stolen car can increase its value if the repair costs less than the price difference. Personal vehicles are usually sold at their base value.
For more ways to earn, see the Acid Lab guide and the GTA V hub.
Selling cars on PS5, Xbox and PC
The process is the same on every platform: drive into Los Santos Customs and choose Sell. Prices and limits are also the same on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, because they come from Rockstar’s servers. On PC, modded money or duplicated cars can get your account banned, so only sell cars obtained through normal play.
Checked October 28, 2026.