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    Sell a car privately: the guide to get more for your car

    For many sellers, private sales can be worth it to get a premium price for your vehicle. 

    However there are a lot of steps to take when you’re ready to sell a car to a private buyer and you’ll receive very little help along the way.

    Or you can sell your car quickly and easily with Motorway. Our nationwide network of 5,000+ verified dealers compete to give you the best offer for your vehicle. It’s fast and simple, and it takes seconds to start.

    But if you’re not convinced by car-buying sites or online car buyers, or simply want to avoid car-buying companies altogether, read our top tips to help you sell your wheels privately.

    photo of car illustration
    Selling your car privately usually involves a lot of effort, including taking lots of photos!

    Selling a car privately explained

    Why should I sell my car privately?

    A private sale can be a good way to get the highest price for a car. However, the process can be long and frustrating.

    You need to advertise your car, meet and show potential buyers your vehicle, and deal with all negotiations on your own. Unlike other routes where you sell your vehicle directly to a professional buyer, selling yourself typically involves more admin, it can be tricky and has no guarantee of success.

    This can be very stressful. So if you’re looking for a quick, easy sell, this isn’t the route to take. Online car buying services are typically faster and offer to take all the hassle out of selling your used car.

    Is your car special?

    Remember no matter how nice your used car is, you have no guarantee of finding a buyer. Buyers are spoilt for choice with many used vehicles advertised on the private market.

    Very few vehicles are unique, and your car will be one of many similar vehicles considered by any potential private buyer. So you need to ensure your car stands out from the crowd to attract interested buyers. Do all you can to maximise your chances, including taking steps to understand what it’s worth.

    Can I legally sell my car?

    Before you sell your car, you need to make sure you are legally allowed to.

    Wallet with a note poking out
    Make sure your car finance is cleared before you sell it privately

    This means clearing any outstanding finance and ensuring all paperwork is in order. If you want to settle the finance agreement once the sale is complete, you’ll need a settlement figure agreed in advance with your finance provider.

    Try to have all your important documents ready, especially your V5C registration certificate (in your name), manual, service book and MOT certificate. If you’ve lost or can’t find any of them, you’ll need new copies. We discuss the documents you’ll require in more detail here.

    How much is my car worth? How much should I sell it for?

    Before creating your advert, you need to understand what your car is worth. Luckily there are many free, and easy-to-use, car valuation tools out there. Some classified listing sites require you to use their online valuation tool before you put your ad up on their site.

    It’s a good idea to consult a few different valuation tools to get a better understanding of your used car’s value. To find other free-to-use tools and websites online, just Google “free valuation”. 

    Remember these guides won’t give you a definitive answer on price. They will give you a good idea of your car’s value, and help you decide the target price to aim for.

    Wax on, wax off: preparing your car for sale

    Once you have an understanding of your vehicle’s value, you’ll be motivated to create an advert immediately. However, your car needs to look presentable.

    Yellow car driving through a car wash
    Make sure your vehicle has had a good wash before you sell it privately!

    Nobody wants to buy a dirty car, so first clean it inside and out. Cars that look new and well-cared for have a much better chance of getting a higher price than cars that look neglected. Even better, get the car professionally valeted from a local car valet  you find on Google.

    Where should I advertise my car for sale?

    When you’re ready to sell a car privately, you need to advertise it yourself. There are a lot of people selling a lot of cars, so make sure your ad stands out. 

    First step? Decide where you want to place your advert. An obvious place to start is Auto Trader. Since the launch of their classified ads magazine in 1975, they’ve become the dominant force in the UK’s used car market. Now, an online-only service they have 7 million web visits a month, by far the most popular specialised online car market in the UK.

    However, Auto Trader not your only option when selling your car privately. Sites like eBay, Gumtree and Motors.co.uk let private sellers and buyers connect without having to go through a dealer or an online car buying company. Facebook Marketplace also allows you to find buyers in your local area.

    Gumtree and eBay see a lot of monthly traffic, but they aren’t dedicated to car selling. So there’s a chance your ad may get lost in the sheer amount of stuff on there.

    More specialised online car marketplaces include Motors.co.uk and Exchange & Mart Both sites are free to use. But they are nowhere near the size of AutoTrader in terms of web visitors.

    If you don’t want to go online, local advertising is another option. Place adverts in local papers, pubs, and shops, or simply offer your car to friends and family. These are still great ways to sell your car privately.

    Some simply park their car on a public road and put a ‘for sale’ sign in the window although this can be illegal.

    Generally, selling a car for free is possible, but choosing the wrong option can mean your car doesn’t get seen by enough buyers to get it sold.

    Now that you’ve chosen where to advertise your car, it’s time to create a decent advert. With so many cars being advertised on Auto Trader, eBay and elsewhere, make sure yours is eye-catching.

    Write a good description, giving all the important information about your car. You’ll need to include stuff like your mileage and MOT expiry date. Make sure you also list any additional features your car has as well. The more detail the more interest you’ll generate.

    You don’t have to list all the vehicle’s faults, but you mustn’t misinform buyers. Honesty is the best policy when selling your used car privately – cars get damaged and suffer from wear and tear, that’s normal – so always be truthful about any problems.

    You don’t want to find yourself in a situation with an angry, disappointed or shocked buyer post-sale.

    car in a picture frame
    Great photos of your car are key to getting the highest price.

    You’ll also need to upload pictures of your clean car. Make sure photos are bright, in focus, and with the whole car in the photo. Wiki-How has created an extensive guide on how to take professional-looking photos of your car. It’s worth your time to read it.

    Photograph the outside of your car from all sides, as well as of the interior including the passenger seat, images of the wheels and tyres and any damage your car may have.

    Once your classified ad is live, your potential buyers will soon be in touch. You’ll need to meet the buyer, show them your car yourself and allow them to take it for a test drive.

    Unfortunately, on top of potential buyers, you may also encounter time wasters and,  worse still, scammers. So be wart and take certain precautions.

    Always meet potential buyers in a place familiar to you. This could be at your home or work, somewhere you know well and feel comfortable in.

    Never leave your car alone with the potential buyer. Always accompany the buyer on a test drive, and don’t allow them to take any pictures or photos of the important documents.

    How to negotiate with a potential buyer

    Neither the buyer nor the seller wants to feel like they’re getting a bad deal. The buyer might be tempted to haggle and try to drive the price down.

    As a result, it may be a good idea to set your asking price a bit higher than you’re hoping to get. This will give you more room for negotiations, and ease the process of agreeing on a price.

    Beware though, setting a price that is too high may deter buyers altogether – it’s worth being reasonable.

    What documents do I need to sell a car?

    When you sell your car privately, you need to make sure you have all the required documentation in order.

    This must include your V5 document (proof of ownership). Having your service history MOT certificates will not only add value to your car but avoids a ‘lack of history’ as an excuse for trying to chip down your price.

    car documentation
    Make sure you have the correct documents when selling a car

    It’s important not to hand over any documentation, or to allow any pictures or photocopies to be taken by a potential buyer until you have agreed on the sale. 

    Once you’ve received payment for the car and the sale is complete, give the green ‘new keeper’ portion of the VC5 to the new buyer. You’ll also need to provide additional paperwork including a receipt (two copies, one for each party). This must show the sale date, registration number, car make and model, and have both parties’ full names and addresses. 

    How to get paid securely

    Setting up a secure payment method when selling your car privately is important. Make sure you ask for the buyer’s phone number and establish they are a serious buyer before they come for a viewing. 

    Most classified ad sites recommend online bank transfers as the best method of payment rather than being paid in physical cash, but there are other options out there.

    Third-party companies (ESCROW) can hold the money until the transaction has been completed. This could work, but make sure you use a legitimate company. Always check with the Financial Conduct Authority to avoid using a fraudulent company. 

    You could also use other payment methods like a banker’s draft.

    Wait until you have had confirmation of payment from your bank or payment provider before you hand over the keys.

    Importantly, no matter how you end up getting paid, provide the buyer with a receipt and keep a copy for yourself.

    What to do when you’ve sold your car? 

    When you sell your vehicle, you have to notify the DVLA and any insurance or finance companies you have used for the car.

    Is selling privately too time-consuming?

    Motorway allows you to find your best offer from a verified car dealer, helping you find the best price to sell your car quickly.

    Is it time to sell your car?

    Want to learn more about owning, maintaining, and selling your car?Check out more of our guides here, covering everything from finding buyers, to negotiating a good price, and completing payment safely. 

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