Selling Your Car

Use multiple sources for accurate valuation: Parkers, CAP, and Glass's Guide for baseline values, WeBuyAnyCar for instant (low-ball) offers, AutoTrader and Motors.co.uk for similar cars currently listed (deduct 10% as these are asking prices, not sold prices), and eBay Motors sold listings for actual selling prices. Adjust for: full dealer service history (+10-15%), recent MOT (+£200-400), new tyres (+£400-600), low mileage for age (+5-10%), or deduct for: missing service history (-20-30%), upcoming MOT (-£300-500), mechanical issues (-cost to repair × 1.5), or advisories on last MOT (-£200-800).

Private sale: Highest price (10-30% more than dealer offers), but requires: advertising, viewings, negotiations, time, and dealing with time-wasters. Part-exchange: Most convenient (dealer handles everything), but lowest price (20-40% below private sale value). Sell to dealer/WeBuyAnyCar: Quick (sale in 1-3 days), but low price (15-30% below private). Best approach: Get dealer/part-ex offers first as baseline, then try private sale for 2-4 weeks. If no serious buyers, accept dealer offer. For cars under £3,000 or over 10 years old, dealer offers may be too low - private sale is better.

Take 15-20 high-quality photos in daylight: all exterior angles, interior front and rear, boot, engine bay, wheels/tyres, service book stamps, MOT certificate, and any damage/wear honestly shown. Write detailed description: exact model and trim level, full service history status with proof, MOT expiry date, number of previous owners (from V5C), reason for sale, key features and upgrades, honest disclosure of any faults or damage, and recent maintenance performed. Price competitively: research identical cars and price 5-10% below average. Upload to AutoTrader, Motors.co.uk, eBay Motors, Gumtree, and Facebook Marketplace for maximum exposure.

Mechanical preparation: Fix any warning lights (buyers walk away immediately), address MOT advisories if cheap to fix (under £200), ensure all lights and electrics work, top up all fluids (oil, coolant, screen wash), and inflate tyres to correct pressure. Cleaning: Full exterior wash and wax, vacuum interior thoroughly, clean windows inside and out, remove all personal items, eliminate odours (especially smoke), and steam clean or shampoo seats if stained. Documentation: Gather all service receipts and MOT certificates, prepare V5C logbook, print HPI check report, and organize owner's manual and spare keys. First impressions massively affect sale price.

Safety precautions: Meet in public location during daylight (supermarket car park), have a friend with you if possible, verify buyer's ID before test drive (photo and note details), check buyer has valid insurance for test drive (ask to see certificate), accompany buyer on all test drives (never let them go alone), and keep V5C and keys secure until payment clears. Red flags to decline: buyer won't show ID, requests evening/isolated location viewing, wants to test drive alone, offers well over asking price (scam), or pressures for immediate sale. Trust your instincts - if something feels wrong, end the viewing.

Safest methods: Bank transfer (wait for funds to clear in your account, 2-3 hours for same-day, check your online banking showing cleared funds, not pending), Building society counter transfer (both visit branch, funds confirmed before handover), or Cash (for cars under £5,000, meet at bank to verify notes aren't counterfeit, deposit immediately). NEVER accept: Cheques (can bounce weeks later), PayPal (buyer can reverse payment), Bankers drafts without verification (can be forged), or Collection on behalf payments (scam). Don't hand over keys or V5C until payment shows as CLEARED in your account, not pending.

You must: Notify DVLA within 24 hours that you've sold (via V5C/3 section or online at gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle), provide buyer with V5C/2 (green new keeper supplement), give buyer proof of sale receipt with both parties details and price, and disclose any known faults honestly (legal requirement - failure is misrepresentation). You should: Provide all available service history and receipts, hand over all keys, manuals, and documents, cancel or transfer private registration if applicable, and keep sale receipt and photo of buyer's ID. If you don't notify DVLA, you remain liable for buyer's speeding fines, parking tickets, and abandoned vehicle charges.

Set your strategy: Decide absolute minimum price privately (walk-away point), price car 5-10% above this minimum to allow negotiation, expect buyers to offer 10-20% below asking initially, and prepare evidence justifying your price (service history, recent work, low mileage, comparable listings). During negotiation: Stay calm and polite, have service records and receipts ready, point out recent maintenance and MOT pass, show comparable cars listed higher, offer minor discount (£100-300) to seal deal, but know your walk-away price. Counter low-ball offers with: "I've priced it fairly based on full service history and recent £600 maintenance. I can do £X,XXX as my best price." Be prepared to wait for right buyer at right price.