How to sell your car privately

If the time has come to find your car a new owner, a private sale might be the way to seal the deal. Read on to find out all about the ins and outs of a private sale. Or, if you’re in a rush, give us a few details and get your car valued in seconds.

We know it can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t need to be. Whether it’s a trusty pick-up truck or a 7-seater family car, you’ll need to go through the same steps to give yourself the best chances of a successful sale. These include:

• Getting your car in good condition
• Get all the right documents ready
• Set a fair value
• Advertise your car
• Arrange viewings and test drives
• Negotiating price and payment
• Completing the sale
• Is it worth selling your car privately?

Is it worth selling your car privately?Thanks to the internet and the wonders of online advertising, selling your car has become a breeze. All you’ve got to do is upload a few photos to social media marketplaces, put your phone down and your feet up. Chances are, you’ll get a quick and easy sale. But, if you want to get the best price possible, you’ll need to put in a little extra work.

View our post – How to transfer car ownership

Getting your car in good condition

When it comes to getting your car ready for selling, don’t be tempted to cut corners. It’s time to hoover under the seats and sort out those scratches on the passenger door – getting everything looking fresh will make a big difference. It’s also important here to address any mechanical issues, making sure everything from the indicators to the engine are working properly.

Get all the right documents ready

To sell your car, you’ll need to make sure you have all the necessary documents ready to hand over. The most important ones to remember are MOT certificates and the V5C registration to show proof of ownership. If you have a completed service book, that would be a cherry on top of the cake.

Set a fair value

If you are looking for a quick sale, it’s important to set a realistic price. To do this, you can research the market of similar vehicles in your area, just remember to consider factors such as age, mileage, condition and any other features or modifications. Whatever price you choose, be prepared to negotiate with buyers.

Advertise your car

Everyone’s seen those ads online with one picture and no description. Everyone scrolls past them. When you create your ad, make sure you include as many high quality, well-lit pictures as you can. Include as much detail in the description as possible, such as mileage, age and service history – the more accurate information you have the better.

Arrange viewings and test drives

Once you start to get inquiries, you’ll need to arrange viewings and test drives. Choose a safe and convenient location for meetings, ensuring that potential buyers have a chance to inspect the vehicle thoroughly and take it for a test drive. Be transparent and honest about your car’s condition, and encourage potential buyers to ask questions or bring a trusted mechanic for an independent evaluation.

Agree on a price and sort the payment

When a potential buyer is interested in purchasing your car, negotiate and agree on a fair price. Be open to reasonable offers and be prepared to counteroffer if necessary. Once a price is agreed, decide on a secure payment method, such as cash or bank transfer. To avoid being scammed, don’t hand over the keys before you get the payment.

Completing the sale

Once everything is signed and sealed, you’ll need to draw up a receipt. You can easily find a template online, or you can write one up yourself. The essential information to include is:

• The make and model of the car
• The registration number
• The mileage on the date it was sold
• The agreed price for the car
• A note that says “sold as seen”

Now that your car is driving away with its new owner, all you need to do is let DVLA know it’s been sold.

Is it worth selling your car privately?

Selling your car privately can be a long and complicated process, so we understand if you don’t want to deal with the hassle. Instead, let us do that for you.

When you sell to BigWantsYourCar, you’ve got a safe, faff-free way to sell your car. It only takes a few clicks of the mouse to get a valuation that’s guaranteed for 7 days. Get in touch with our friendly team or call 03303 41 09 09 – one of our experts will be on hand to help.

Find out how much your car is worth today.