Ten Tips For Selling Your Old Car

If you currently own a car and are considering leasing, you'll likely want to sell your old motor before setting sail on the leasing path. 

Selling your old car can be daunting. Whether you're looking to upgrade to a newer model or change the type of car you drive, getting the best deal for your current vehicle requires preparation, insight, and a little bit of marketing savvy. 

In this blog, we'll explore our top ten tips for selling your old car, ensuring that you maximise profit and minimise stress levels. 

We talk about: 

When it comes to selling your old car, the first thing you need to do is do a bit of market research. Before putting the wheels in motion, you need to understand your car's market value. Get online, look at other people selling the same car as yours, and see what price it's valued. 

When doing some scouting, consider your car's model, age, mileage, and condition to help establish a price range. These are crucial elements that customers consider when buying a used car. 

If you're struggling to find information online, don't hesitate to ask for help. Join an online forum focusing on used cars and simply ask others what they think. You'll be surprised how many people will get back to you. 

The last thing you need to research is the best time to sell. Like anything, timing can significantly affect your car's selling price. We'd recommend looking to sell in spring and summer and avoid times like the run-up to Christmas, when people are looking to save money. 

If possible, sell your car before it hits major milestones, such as 100,000 miles. Like when in the supermarket, customers are more likely to buy something for 99p than for £1, so selling before significant milestones can help fetch a higher price. 

First impressions matter when it comes to selling a car, so ensure it's in the best condition physically possible. Invest in a professional detailing service to ensure your car looks spick and span, such as an exterior wash and wax and a thorough interior clean. 

It'll go down well with any potential customers who need to have car and service history information. This will give the customer confidence and give them a clear idea of what the car's been through. 

It also shows that you care about and take pride in the car, which will go a long way. 

Once you've researched and cleaned your car inside and out, it's time to channel your inner Ansel Adams. If you're selling online, you'll need to provide pictures of the car. 

Take pictures from multiple angles and in good lighting to showcase your vehicle. Try to take them with as good of a camera as possible to ensure the photos are high-definition. 

Also, make sure your photos show an accurate description of the car. Include photos of the engine, boot, seats, dashboard (with technology), and wheels. If you want to push the boat out, maybe even take a video of a walkaround of the car. 

With your photos, you'll need to write a few sentences outlining the car. Here, you should be clear, concise, and honest. Highlight the key features of the car and its selling points, but also be upfront about any flaws to avoid confrontation later on. 

If you are honest, it will increase your credibility with your potential customers and also give them less room to negotiate. Nobody wants to deal with someone who's trying to mug them off, so ensure you make the advert as credible as possible. 

Nowadays, a range of options are available to those looking to sell their old car. You can choose an online marketplace, trade it in at a dealership, or sell it through social media. 

Each platform has its own advantages and disadvantages, such as: 

Online marketplace or social media: 

Pros: 

• Can reach a large number of potential customers 
• You control the sales process and how much it sells for 
• Avoid dealing with salespeople 

Cons: 

• You'll have to deal with a lot of low-ball offers
• You might have to pay fees to list your car (depending on the platform)
• You have to do the marketing yourself 

Through a dealership: 

Pros: 

• Convenient and effortless, the dealership deals with most of the groundwork 
• Get paid instantly, as most dealerships will pay you on the same day 
• Part-exchange options 

Cons: 

• Limited room for negotiation in most cases
• Less money for your car due to it being more convenient 
• You might have to deal with pushy salespeople 

This is easier said than done, but there's nothing worse for a buyer than being unable to contact someone. 

Try to include a phone number and email address in your advert. If someone does try to contact you, try to keep your phone on loud to ensure you pick up or respond to them quickly. 

Don't set an unrealistic price for your car. Nobody will be interested if you do, and you'll eventually have to lower the price anyway. Set a competitive price based on your research, and be prepared to negotiate. 

If you plan on including a little wiggle room for negotiation, establish your lowest price in advance. This will give you more confidence when haggling with the customer as you’ve prepared what you’re going to say.  

For your safety and security, ensure you verify the buyer's information. Make sure the payment is made via cash or bank transfer before giving the buyer your car. If they are paying by cheque, wait until it clears before handing the car over. 

You should also ensure the sale is documented with a bill of sale and that you complete the necessary steps to transfer the title and registration. Notify the DVLA as soon as possible that you're no longer responsible for the vehicle, and follow the steps on their website. 

Looking for more motoring advice? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts produces a range of blogs on various topics, such as Dash Cams: Should I Get One for My Car and Cars With the Best Automatic Transmission for 2024. 

We are also one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers, offering a range of leasing deals to suit your every need. For more information, check out our leasing deals or call us on 0345 811 9595.