Who will collect my car when I sell?
When you sell your car from home, you also need to determine who will collect it. This can add to the stress of selling your vehicle. Will you need to drop off your car at a dealership or drop-off point? How far away? How will you get back?
Fortunately, many dealers and online car buyers will collect your car and pick it up from your home or work address, usually for free. On top of 5000+ dealers competing to give you the best price, Motorway offers free home collection nationwide. Value your car here and start selling from home today. Find out everything you need to know in this guide to free collection and pick up.
If you’re looking for buyers who can pick up your car, don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we take a look at all the available options when having your car collected as part of the sale is a must.
In our who will collect my car guide, we’ll look at:
- Who will collect my car when I sell?
- Online car buying websites
- Which online buyers offer collection when you sell your car?
- Who will collect and scrap my car?
Who will collect my car when I sell?
Private sale
When selling your car privately, the buyer usually takes the car away with them. They’ll come and view your car. Then, if you agree on a sale, they’ll simply drive it away once the money has been paid and the paperwork has been sorted.
Although you may find a buyer willing to collect your car, selling privately is a process that can take a while. You’ll have to advertise the car yourself, often on numerous websites, and show it to strangers (aka potential buyers who may turn up on your doorstep). This will take time, and there are no guarantees of success after all that work.
If you want to know more about this option, our handy guide on selling your car privately is a great place to start.
Will a dealer pick up my car?
Selling a car to a dealer has also been a popular option for many years. However, the traditional method usually involves driving to your local dealer. Even large car dealer groups may still require you to take your car to them, rather than the other way around.
However, there are a number of dealers that will be willing to collect your car.
You’ll need to do your research to find the right dealership for you and your car. As well as finding one who will collect your car, make sure the dealer specialises in the make of your car to maximise the price of sale.
We can help. Motorway works with over 5,000 verified dealers who will buy your car, and most of them will collect from home. Read our full guide to selling your car to a dealer.
Online car-buying websites
Online car-buying companies have become an increasingly popular method for many sellers over the last decade or so. They aim to make the process as quick and easy as possible, meaning you’ll always get a fast easy cash sale. They often offer free home collection.
To make the process as simple as possible, many of them will pick up your car from either home or work. Some do this for free, others require you to pay a collection fee.
However, not all online car-buying services provide a pick-up service. Instead, you have to drive to a collection centre or drop-off point to complete the transaction. Not the most convenient option.
Which online buyers offer collection when you sell your car?
Here’s a small list of nationwide online car buyers that will collect your car (some of them for free). They’ll come and pick up your car from an agreed address, usually your home, or a place of work.
- The Car Buying Group
- Car Take Back
- Money For Your Motors
- Best Car Buyer
The Car Buying Group require you to book an appointment to have your vehicle collected from home. This appointment can be arranged quickly at a date and time to suit you – it can often be sorted and sold within 24 hours.
Normally, The Car Buying Group give you a price over the phone and set up the appointment. At that time, they give the car a quick inspection to confirm the car’s condition and details, before transferring the agreed sale fee. If you choose to accept their offer, you’ll be paid by bank transfer on the same day.
This process is similar for most online buyers. But depending on which buyer you choose, the time to reach your account will vary.
For some, it can take up to 2-3 days, with an additional fee to get a same-day payment. Many others provide free same-day payments on the day of pick-up. This means the money is paid before they drive your vehicle away with the cash in your bank account within 15 minutes. But you might have to wait a couple of hours in some circumstances so check the Ts&Cs.
Also check if there are any other fees. While most instant-buying companies collect cars from sellers’ homes, it’s not always free. And some companies charge a non-refundable application fee before the agreed collection date. Being non-refundable, you have to pay it regardless if you sell to them or not. If you fail to pay the application fee in time, you’ll need to re-book an appointment and pay it.
Weigh up the added cost of any additional charges that may arise. Driving somewhere is a pain, but the cost-saving may be worth it on some occasions.
Who will collect and scrap my car?
If your car is a complete write-off, you may just want to give up the chase and have it scrapped. There are numerous ways to scrap your car.
You could break up your car and sell it as spare parts. Buyers might come and collect the spare parts. However, finding those buyers can take a good amount of time and effort. Not to mention a potentially huge amount of time-consuming Gumtreeing or eBaying!
Of course, if you’re looking to get a fair price for your scrap car, but save the effort of selling it for parts, some companies could offer you a solution by coming to collect your scrap car.
Scrap buyer Car Take Back will pick up your car for free, making it easy to get rid of it.
Sell the Motorway way
If you’re thinking about selling your (non-scrap) car quickly and easily – and want a completely free collection – Motorway can help you get the best price when selling, whatever the model.
Start by entering your reg to get an instant, free valuation based on up-to-the-minute market data. Then profile your car in a few clicks using either our app or website, mobile or desktop. There’s no need to write out an ad for your car when you sell with Motorway. We’ll guide you through the photos you need to take to complete your vehicle profile – in a matter of minutes.
If you choose to enter your car into a daily sale, our nationwide network of more than 5,000 verified dealers will then compete to buy your car, offering you their best price.
In as little as 24 hours you will receive your best offer – and, if you choose to go ahead with the sale, your car will be collected for free by the dealer. Then the money will be quickly and securely transferred to your bank account.
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.