Selling your car when it's time to let it go, be it because you're upgrading, downgrading or simply no longer have a need for it, can be a challenge that is fraught with obstacles and tough decisions. There are multiple ways of going about this but all of them have their own associated benefits and drawbacks. Deciding which one is best for you will hinge solely on what you're looking to achieve from the transaction; the most money, the most convenient, or the most control.
Related: How to sell a second-hand car
Of these methods, the ones that are the easiest often yield the least amount of money. Those that do ensure you get the best price for your vehicle will require you to do more work, and ensure that the paperwork is in order and is wrought with risks.
There are several ways of selling a car:
- AutoTrader Instant Offer
- Trade-in at a dealership
- Private sale
AutoTrader Instant Offer
Before you continue reading, it's worth considering AutoTrader's Instant Offer service. This service takes much of the headache and fuss out of selling your car. When you elect for an obligation-free valuation on your vehicle, AutoTrader will present your car to our trusted buying partners and only present you with the very best offer within 60 minutes. Our Instant Offer team will contact you to confirm some details and set up an appointment to perform a quick check of your car. The buying partner and an AutoTrader representative will then meet you at a location convenient to you and if all is found to be accurate, we will make you a final offer immediately. Payment happens quickly and efficiently and the competitive pricing is akin to what you would be able to sell your car to a dealership for.
Click here to get your free valuation
Selling to a dealer
One may think that selling your car to a dealer is the best way of going about things. Sadly, this is seldom the case. Dealerships are reluctant to buy stock outright without making a sale on another vehicle in the process. This is commonly referred to as a trade-in, where your current vehicle's value is used to offset the price of a vehicle you wish to purchase from the same dealership.
Some dealers may offer to sell your vehicle on consignment. This is a risky move and your vehicle will sit on their floor until such time as it is sold and you only receive your money after the sale has been concluded. We do not recommend consignment sales.
Should you manage to find a dealership that is prepared to buy your vehicle from you, you won't be able to expect a high sales price. The dealership is in the business of selling cars and they will have to sell your car on and make a profit in the process.
You will also need various documents in order to speed up the process:
- ID
- Proof of ownership
- Settlement letter
- Vehicle registration certificate
