Sell a Car?
Perhaps you’re tired of your car, need some extra cash or would rather walk, cycle/take public transport. No worries, we’re here to guide you through selling your car.
The easiest way to sell your car is to trade it in when you buy a new one (that’s if you choose to buy a new one) or to sell it to a car buying service – not recommended as they offer horrible rates.
Selling privately is ideal but isn’t straightforward… Once you read this article it’ll be a piece of cake.
Sell your car in these simple steps
First, we prepare: Getting your car ready for sale is important if you want to sell it for the best price – presentation, mechanical condition, and service history can all make the difference:
- Make sure the car is tidy. This should be reflected in the photos
- Get a new MOT, particularly if there are less than three months on the current one.
- Repair visible paintwork damage or simple mechanical faults. This could make a difference in how much you sell the car for.
Now that you’ve prepared the car for sale, it is time to list it online. Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Gumtree, Autotrader, etc. are great places to privately sell your car. Ensure you take plenty of clear pictures, this shows you’re an authentic seller and haven’t gotten the picture from Google images.
Next is to write a description of the car. It is important you include as much detail as possible, so your potential buyer knows what they are buying. Once you’ve added all the details requested from the site, added clear pictures, and written a clear description, it’s time to sit back and watch the offers come in!
Safety alert!
- When selling a car it is important you have someone with you. Just in case the buyer is hostile or trying to con you out of a car.
- Sell during the day
- If you accept cash count the cash and ensure the notes are real
- Don’t let the keys out of your sight when the potential driver is test driving the car
Now that we’ve gotten safety out of the way, let's discuss actually selling the car!
Documents
- Have all documents and history to hand including MOT certificates and service records
- Don't let buyers make copies or take photos of vehicle documents until the purchase is complete!
- Keep receipts for any work carried out while you owned the car and show proof of maintenance
- Don't forget to hand over all relevant documents when you sell
Negotiations
- People love a good deal - build in a margin for negotiating – the buyer will have the satisfaction of negotiating you down while you still get close to the amount you want
Receipt
- Provide a 'sold as seen, tried, and approved without guarantee' receipt
Get Paid
- Cash – consider arranging to be handed the cash at your bank – or use an online bank transfer
- Don't let anyone drive your car away until you're satisfied that you've been paid in full
Fantastic! You’ve successfully sold your car! Before the buyer drives off into the sunset, draw up a seller's contract to help protect yourself. Here’s how to go about it:
- Print two copies of the contract, one for you and one for your buyer
- Complete the contracts with your buyer
- You and your buyer should sign and date the contracts
- Make sure you each keep a signed copy as proof of the purchase
It is vital you inform the DVLA the car is no longer yours once you complete the sale. See how to below:
- Tell DVLA online – The best way to tell DVLA that you've sold your car is to do it online. The vehicle record will be updated straight away and you'll get a refund of any unused vehicle tax within a few days.
Don't forget to give the buyer the V5C/2 section – their proof of keepership until they receive a new V5C from DVLA. You see, it’s really that easy to sell a car.
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