How to sell a car: the complete guide

During the first quarter of 2025, some two million used cars found new owners, with many sellers looking to upsize to a better model or raise their income. No matter the reason, however, the process of selling a car can be particularly emotional and stressful.

However, it needn’t be. By understanding the best methods to sell a car and the right steps to take, you can save yourself a lot of hassle – and sometimes get even more than you expected. 

Here, we share the various ways in which you can sell a car, how you should prepare it before it goes on the market, and how to create an eye-catching ad that draws in buyers.

Where can I sell my car?

Where to sell your car is the first thing to consider, because it influences how much you might get for it, and the amount of effort you'll need to put in.

Traditionally, there were two options to choose between: selling your car to a dealer (the more straightforward option) or privately (which could make you more money).

Now, though, there are many more places for you to turn if you’re looking to get rid of your old car. Websites such as Motorway, can put you in touch with dealers who want to buy your car, while others will buy the car themselves at a fixed price, before selling it on.

On the other hand, if you think you can get a better price by selling a car yourself, sites like Auto Trader allow you to reach more potential buyers than a classified ad in the local paper ever could.

However, before you decide where to sell, it's important to find out how much your car is worth. So, What Car? offers a free car valuation tool, which will give you a certificate detailing its value in all types of sale.

Once you’ve done that, which approach is best? Here are the pros and cons of each, to help you decide which one is right for you.

Dealer trade-in

If you’re buying your next car from a dealership, the simplest way to get rid of your old car is to part-exchange it against the value of the car you’re buying.

A dealer who’s keen to sell you a new vehicle, or who has a buyer in mind for your old one, may offer you a good price for your old car. Conversely, if you negotiate a big discount on your new car, the dealer may be less able to give you the best price for your part-exchange.

This flexibility is more common among franchised dealers and specialists; larger independent dealers and car supermarkets typically take a more structured approach.

Mike Vousden, content editor at Motorpoint, told us how the trade-in process works at his company: “We use industry-standard data to make sure we’re buying and selling cars at a fair price. Cars are inspected, then valued based on this data, and a fixed price is offered to the owner. This can be offset against the cost of their next car.”

Car buying websites

Selling your car to a professional online buyer can be a quick and easy alternative to selling privately or to a dealership. Companies such as We Buy Any Car tend to be less picky than dealers or smaller businesses, because they usually auction off the cars they buy to other traders who’ll sell them from their own forecourts.

However, auction results aren’t all that predictable, so these companies may not give you the best price for a car that's in overall good condition. Indeed any damage or gaps in your car’s service history may be used to knock the price offered.

Motorpoint also has an online buying service, called Sell Your Car, and Vousden explained how theirs works: “When someone sells us their car, it will go through one of two different routes. Newer, lower-mileage cars that fall within our retail criteria will be sold directly through one of our stores. 

“The majority, however, will go on to our trade-only reselling platform. They are then bought by smaller dealerships and professional sellers, who will prepare the cars themselves before selling them on.”

Selling to a dealer online

You can also use Motorway, a free-to-use service, which works with a large network of dealers who are able to make offers for your car. You take some photos and enter your car’s details and it will be entered into a daily sale where dealers compete to buy your car. If you wish, you can then proceed with the highest offer it finds.

Private sale

As a rule, you will get more for your car by selling it privately. However, the process can be time-consuming and the cost of advertising can be steep. You will need to be available to take phone calls and respond to emails, and be flexible enough to arrange viewings and test drives at times that suit potential buyers.

Online auction

Using a general online auction is quick and easy, but it is also potentially the riskiest way to sell your car, because you don’t know how much people will be willing to pay – particularly if you set your sale as an auction without a minimum price.

If there’s a minimum amount you’re willing to accept, be sure to include a reserve price. This will prevent the sale going through if the car doesn’t attract as many bids as you’d hoped. Many auction platforms will charge a fee, whether your car reaches its reserve price or not, so you need to consider the extent to which this will cut into the amount you’ll ultimately make.

Charity donation

​​Rather than simply scrap a low-value used car, you could donate it to charity instead. Many charities will accept a donation in the form of a car – roadworthy ones get sold at auction while unroadworthy ones are scrapped. It’s easy to donate your car online, just make sure that 100% of the proceeds will be going to your chosen charity.

Read more: How to buy a car online

How to prepare a car for sale

Making sure your car looks its best before showing it to a potential buyer – whether they're a private individual or a dealer – will help you sell it as quickly as possible, and for the best price.

Cleaning your car

Richard Tipper, owner of Perfection Detailing, believes it’s important to look at your car through the eyes of someone coming to view it. He said: “First impressions are very important. The goal is to make your car look like it’s been looked after, not as if it’s just been through a car wash that morning.

“If you’re tight on time, or working with a limited budget, then focus on the interior first. Over time, your car will pick up smells; dogs, smoking and air fresheners are the worst offenders. A thorough vacuuming session is a must, but you may wish to go further.

“Rather than looking to cover up any odours, look for products that will neutralise them. If this doesn’t work, some professional valeters use ozone treatment that’s intended to rid your car of particularly stubborn smells,” said Richard. 

However, professional services don’t come cheap, so you need to be sure any advanced cleaning will prove cost-effective. If you’re looking to save money, particularly focus on cleaning all the areas the buyer might look at and interact with. These include the door handles, gear lever and steering wheel. That said, steer clear of trim cleaners that leave a sticky residue or shiny finish, which could make buyers think the car has been dressed up to sell.

Maciej Lipinski, owner of CCC Detailing, agrees. He told us that his customers appreciate a ‘factory fresh’ finish, so he takes great care to remove all odours and contaminants, including those of air fresheners and heavily scented products.

Additionally, he reckons that even if you’re on a budget, there’s scope to improve your car’s exterior appeal: “Even if your car is only worth, say, £1000, a simple multi-stage wash can really help.

“A good-quality snow foam, followed by tar and glue remover to get rid of stubborn stains and an all-over wash with car shampoo can have your car gleaming in no time. If you have time to spare, applying synthetic wax will help the paintwork retain its shine for longer.

“Most cars now have alloy wheels, and it’s important to make sure these look as good as the bodywork. Use a pH-neutral or alkaline wheel cleaner, with fallout remover to get rid of brake dust,” advised Maciej.

Presentation

When dealing with potential buyers, it’s important that you make as good an impression as your car does. Dress smartly and make sure you’re prepared at the time the buyer is set to arrive. A polite and caring attitude can also help to build confidence in the customer.

As for the car’s documents, make sure they’re in date order and stored in a nice folder. This must include the V5C registration document – you won’t be able to sell the car without it, so if it's gone missing you should order a new one online through the government website before putting your car up for sale.

How to write a great car advert

Being able to create a compelling used car ad is essential if you want to sell your car yourself, in good time and for the right price.

We spoke to Keel Bentham, an experienced salesman with more than 40 years in the motor trade under his belt, to find out his top tips for putting together a used car advert. So, here are the things you should include, and why they matter.

Detail is key

“Include as much information about the car as you can. If you’re advertising your car online, you won’t be short for space, so why not give people all the facts? It makes buyers so much happier to see that information.

“Service history is extremely important. If I was looking at a car ad, I’d want to know whether the car has a full service history, as well as the mileage at which each service was carried out, and the dates of these services,” advised Keel.

Photographs

“Pictures are the most important aspect of all. Get as many photographs on there as possible; 40, 50, 60 photographs is not unreasonable if the website allows. It’s also good to include a 360deg walk-around video.

“Make sure to include photographs of dents, scratches and other damage, inside and out. Nasty surprises will put buyers off, so it’s important that they know about any damage before a viewing to allow them to make an informed judgement,” he added. 

It’s best to take pictures in daylight, and to make sure that each picture shows the viewer something new.

Number plate

There are a number of ways to get an idea about a car’s history online, including through the government’s MOT history check service. While some sellers may feel nervous about sharing their car’s number plates online, concealing them prevents potential buyers from being able to get information about your car.

Some buyers may feel that the plates are being hidden for a reason, therefore being less inclined to enquire about the model – particularly if there are similar alternatives on the market with their number plate upfront.

Mileage

It’s important to state the exact mileage of the car, where possible, because this demonstrates your attention to detail, and will reduce suspicion that you’re deliberately understating the true figure.

Number of owners

Many used car buyers prefer models that have a low number of previous owners because there’s less doubt over how the car has been looked after and a lower risk of service history documents going missing. 

Being upfront about the number of previous owners in the advertisement reduces the likelihood that you’ll make time for someone to view the car, only for them to walk away once they find out that it’s had too many owners for their liking.

Trim level, equipment and optional extras

You should use plain English when outlining the car’s spec, and be sure to list any features or optional extras that make your car stand out.

Many car buying platforms have search bars and filters that allow users to narrow their options down based on desired equipment. Using clear, universally recognised terms and descriptions will help connect you with those who are looking for features that your car offers.

Price

As well as knowing how much your car is worth (What Car?’s free car valuation tool can help with that), it’s important not to risk losing potential buyers who may be searching for cars in a particular price bracket.

For example, if you list your car for £10,100, people shopping for cars below the five-figure mark won’t even see your advert, much less contact you to arrange a viewing.

Avoid acronyms

When writing an advertisement, it’s worth remembering that not all car buyers will know all the jargon. As a result, acronyms, such as ESP, LSD or SIPS, should be avoided. Where possible, it’s best to spell out the full phrase – allowing buyers who are unsure to easily research each term.

That said, if you’re trying to fit within a tight word count, there are some widely recognised abbreviations that are acceptable to use. These include FSH (full service history), AC (air conditioning), ONO (or nearest offer) and VGC (very good condition).

Finally, remember that attempts to infuse an ad with comedy, or the inclusion of clichés such as ‘first to see will buy’, might undermine the sincerity of even the most genuine seller.

How to handle buyers

If you decide to sell your car privately, it’s important to be prepared and have the right attitude towards any potential buyers. Doing so can help you get the best price for your car and lower the risk of complications in the future.

Choose a venue

When arranging a viewing for the customer, it’s generally a good idea to meet outside your home. This is likely the most convenient location for you and, from the buyer’s perspective, delivers peace of mind as the address they are visiting matches that on the V5 registration document. 

In most cases, the whole viewing will take place outside the home because they’ll mostly be interested in inspecting the car. You may wish to invite them inside to fill out the new registration documents if they decide to buy it, though. If you’re not comfortable with the idea of a stranger visiting your home, ask a loved one to join you or a neighbour to keep an eye.

Test drives

Before deciding whether they are interested in buying the car, the customer will likely be interested in taking it for a short test drive. Getting behind the wheel for a short journey – typically around 20 minutes – can be incredibly useful in determining whether the vehicle has any issues that need to be resolved. However, before they take to the roads, it’s vital that they are properly covered because it’s illegal to test drive a car without insurance.

Fortunately, it’s possible to buy a test drive insurance policy which can provide cover spanning from an hour to 30 days, depending on your needs. You can begin a test drive insurance policy in as little as 15 minutes after paying for it, so you may wish to wait until the customer arrives and confirm that they would like to test drive the car before you book.

Alternatively, so long as the car you’re selling is still registered in your name, the customer’s main insurance policy might allow them to drive other vehicles. This could save you some money but it’s likely that the car will only be covered by third party insurance. As a result, if the car is damaged during the test drive, the insurer won’t pay out.

Negotiating a price

Unless you state that you’re not open to offers in your advertisement, it’s likely that potential customers who are interested in your car will ask to buy it for a lower price. As a result, have the lowest price you’d be willing to accept and stick to it.

When negotiating a price with a potential buyer, it’s important that you stay firm and let them make an offer first. It could also be worth sharing how much other examples are on sale for, which could demonstrate to the buyer that the price you set is sensible.

If the customer isn’t willing to pay the minimum price you’d like for the car, don’t be afraid to let them walk away. Chances are another potential buyer will get in touch soon and the customer you were negotiating with may reconsider. 

The payment

When accepting payment from a buyer, it’s best to choose a method that doesn’t put you at risk of scams or other complications. If you’re selling a cheaper model (under £10,000), cash is generally a good option because it’s instant and doesn’t require you to share any private details. That said, there’s always a risk that the seller could try to give you counterfeit notes, so it’s a good idea to meet the buyer at a bank. 

Bank transfers are also widely recommended when accepting payment for a used car because they are easy to do and generally quick – particularly if it’s via the CHAPS (Clearance House Automotive Payment System) or ‘Faster Payments’. Even so, though, it’s best to make sure the payment has gone through correctly before you let the buyer drive away with the vehicle.

Finally, you can always request that the buyer writes a cheque or banker’s draft for the vehicle. Nevertheless, this can take considerably more time to clear than other payment methods and there’s always a risk that it could be forged or cancelled. To avoid a nasty surprise, get proof of the buyer’s name and address in advance, which can help you chase things up if the payment goes awry, and don’t let the buyer drive the vehicle away until you’ve received confirmation that the cheque or banker’s draft is genuine and has been paid by their bank.

Be wary of any buyers who insist on using a third party, person-to-person (P2P) payment company to send the money because it’s difficult to track payments after they have been made on these services. Fake versions of these companies can also be used to scam sellers by trying to extract their banking details.

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