How to get the best price for my car

There are all sorts of aspects to consider when it comes to selling your car . Are you hoping to sell it as fast as possible? For as much as possible? Or just as stress-free as can be? Often, it can feel like you have to pick a priority and compromise on the rest.

With Motorway, we’ve perfectly balanced convenience, speed, and price. You can get the best offer for your car in no time at all. All from the comfort of your own home. How do we do this?

Start with a free car valuation for your vehicle
Build a car profile right from your phone
Your car enters a daily sale in front of our network of thousands of dealers
We present you with your best offer
Your car is collected from your home
You’ll be paid the same day as collection, the money usually appears in your account the same day

That’s convenience and speed taken care of. Now let’s look at how to maximise the price you get.

Key Takeaways

Maintenance Matters: A well-documented service history and good physical condition significantly increase valuation.
Market Timing: Seasonal demand (e.g., convertibles in summer) and plate changes in March/September affect resale value.
External Factors: Location-based regulations like ULEZ and general market demand for specific fuel types (Petrol vs. Diesel) impact price.
Transparency: Being honest about mileage and condition helps secure a firm offer from verified dealers.
Platform Advantage: Using a dealer network like Motorway balances speed and price without the hassle of private negotiations.

What affects the price you get for your used car?

A range of factors can impact the price of your car, some of them more in your control than others. These include age, make, model, mileage, condition, service history, and current market demand. Most cars lose value over time, with the steepest drop typically happening in the first few years. The good news is that several of these factors are within your influence. Here are the most common:

How mileage affects your car’s value

How far your car has driven directly affects its value. A car with 50,000+ miles on the clock will typically be worth less than one with 7,500, because higher mileage means more wear on the engine, brakes, and other components.

If your mileage is creeping towards a major milestone (say 60,000 or 100,000 miles), it can be worth selling sooner rather than later. You can use Motorway’s free car valuation tool to see how your current mileage is reflected in your estimated sale price.

How your car’s condition affects the price

Unsurprisingly, a car that’s been well looked after will get a better price than one that has been neglected. If you wash your car often , get it serviced when needed, and generally keep it at its best, this should all be rewarded when it comes to valuations.

Don’t worry if your car’s condition, despite your best efforts, isn’t 100% perfect. No experienced car dealer (like the 8,000+ we work with) is expecting a used car to be flawless. A scratch here or there is easy to fix.

It’s the more serious issues that have been ignored for some time that will likely cost you in terms of the sale price.

How service history affects your sale price

A car with a long service history isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The important thing is that you can prove it. Without the documentation to back up your service history, a dealer is essentially forced to buy blind, so to negate the risks, they’ll offer a lower price.

Beyond services, having records of any repairs, MOT certificates, and previous ownership documentation all helps build confidence for the buyer. The more complete your paperwork, the stronger your position when it comes to price.

How number plates affect your car’s value

Plate changes can impact the value of your car, and they occur twice a year, once in March and again in September. Plates reflect the age of your car, so with the release of every new plate, older ones tend to lose value.

Private plates are also something you should make dealers aware of. A dealer will still be happy to buy your car with a personalised plate, but you may find it more lucrative to sell the plate separately. To keep the plate, but sell your car, you’ll have to write to the DVLA to transfer the plate to another vehicle or get a retention certificate.

Even the weather can impact your car value — no one wants a convertible in the winter!

How market demand affects your valuation

You could have the best-looking, most well-cared-for used car around, but if demand isn’t there, then your valuation may be disappointing. On the other hand, if demand is high, then you may be very pleasantly surprised by the value your car can get.

Demand can shift for all sorts of reasons. Fuel-efficient cars tend to become more desirable when energy costs rise. Electric and hybrid models may gain value as emission rules tighten. Even broader economic conditions, like changes to interest rates or new car supply, can push used car prices up or down.

The key is to keep an eye on the market rather than guessing. Motorway’s Car Value Tracker sends you monthly updates so you can spot the right moment to sell and act before demand shifts again.

How your location affects the price you get

Precisely where you are trying to sell your car can also affect how much it can make. This can be based on simple logic i.e. a Smart car is probably going to be more in demand in urban environments than in the countryside. But it can also be based on new developments in your local area. One example of this is the ULEZ or Birmingham CAZ , which both placed extra pressure on owners of high CO2 emission vehicles. So, in London, sales of cars that don’t meet Eur o 6 standards are likely to dwindle, while zero-emission vehicles would be more in demand.

How colour and personalisation affect your price

While colour doesn’t have any effect on how well your car can run, a bright orange car may have issues selling compared to a nice, neutral grey. The same goes for any after-sale additions you may have made like colourful rims or if your car is a particularly unique model. If you have extensively personalised your car, then you might have better luck looking for a private buyer — one with just as much enthusiasm for bright colours as you.

On the other hand, factory-fitted features and a higher trim level can work in your favour. Things like built-in sat nav, leather seats, parking sensors, or a premium sound system are all desirable to dealers and can push your valuation up. When you profile your car on Motorway, make sure you include all the features it came with so they’re reflected in the offers you receive.

Super colourful or classic cars might get a better price from private buyers.

getting the best price for your used car — Super colourful or classic cars might get a better price from private buyers.

Other factors that can affect your final price

Beyond the features of your car and you drive it, keep the following in mind. These might also prevent you from getting the very best price on your car:

How fees can reduce what you actually receive

There can be fees to selling your car, including collection fees, transaction fees, and other admin charges. These can quickly eat into your final sale price, so make sure you read through all the small print fully before you commit to anything.

Fees could also apply for administrative tasks, like posting an initial “for sale” advert online or in a local newspaper.

Understand your buyer

An online valuation can be a great place to start when it comes to knowing what to expect for your car, but they aren’t guaranteed. If you are selling to a private buyer, then you’ll need to be open to negotiation, and you might need to throw in something to sweeten the deal, like a full tank of petrol.

If you’re selling to a single dealer directly, keep in mind that any dealer naturally factors in their own costs and resale margin when making an offer. That’s not unreasonable, but it does mean a one-to-one negotiation may not reflect the full market value of your car.

That’s where selling through a competitive marketplace makes a difference. On Motorway, 8,000+ dealers compete in a daily sale for your car, which means the price is driven by real demand rather than a single offer.

Consider when you sell

Sometimes, things like season can impact your best price. If you’re selling a convertible, for example, it will probably attract a lot more interest in the spring and summer months than in the heart of winter.

Similarly, Christmas might not be the best time to look for a buyer. Some smaller dealers may close, and private buyers might have too many other expenses to think about buying a car.

It’s also worth keeping an eye on plate changes in March and September. When a new plate is released, cars on older plates can dip in value. If your car is approaching one of these milestones, selling just before the change can help you hold onto more of its value.

Not sure when the right time is? Motorway’s Car Value Tracker monitors your car’s value month by month and alerts you to changes, so you can sell with confidence rather than guesswork.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get the best price for my car?

Put your car in front of as many verified buyers as possible, and make sure it is presented well. On Motorway, you build a free car profile from your phone. Your car then enters a daily sale where thousands of dealers compete to give you their highest offer.

How do I find out what my car is worth before I sell?

Start with a free valuation on Motorway. Enter your reg plate and you will get an instant estimate based on live market data. Once you build a full car profile — including mileage, condition, and service history — you will receive a guide price that reflects what dealers are likely to offer.

Ready to sell your car?

Want to read more about owning, valuing and selling your car? Check out more of our guides here, covering everything from depreciation and maintaining your car’s value. Understand your car’s worth in the wider market.

The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice.