Expert tips to get the best deal

I am planning to sell my car and if you’re thinking the same, there are numerous routes you can take.

With so much choice out there now, from part exchange and placing ads on classified websites to selling it to an instant online car buyer, you’re almost spoilt for choice.

But it can be confusing too – so how do you decide which option to pursue?

We’ve partnered with Motorway, a website where you can sell your car to a verified dealer for up to £1,000 more. Their tips here can help you work out the best way to sell your car fast, for the best price.

Private sale

Selling your car privately yourself can sometimes help you achieve the best price possible for your car – but be warned, it can often take a long time to find the right buyer. And as there are no guarantees, it can also be very frustrating.

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You may decide to look at placing an online ad on sites like Auto Trader. With 7 million monthly web visits, Auto Trader has a huge audience. However, if your car is over a certain value you’ll need to buy an advertisement package to place it on the site.

And bear in mind that with many of the ads on there placed by dealers selling cars, as a private seller, you may end up competing with professionals aiming to get their ads seen over yours.

eBay and Gumtree are other private sale sites worth exploring – Gumtree is also free to advertise on – although neither have the audience size of Auto Trader.

With any classified website, if you are able to generate interest in your car, you’ll have to show potential buyers
the car yourself and be prepared for some potential haggling to get your car sold.

Part exchange

One of the most popular ways of selling your car to a dealer is to part exchange when you trade in your old car for another one. While this is definitely low hassle, be mindful that you may not be getting the best price.

Unless you own a car the dealer really wants to buy to retail, you may not be able to secure a good offer, as they
often need to sell it on to another dealer or auction it elsewhere.

Therefore, to protect their margins, you may get a low offer which is great for them, but not for you!

Instant online buyer

If you just want to get your car sold fast and may be willing to sacrifice a bit on the end price to remove the hassle, then you can sell your car quickly to an online buyer.

The growth of instant online car buyers has exploded over the last decade. Part of the reason for this growth is due to its simplicity. You just value your car online and then arrange a collection or a drop-off appointment.

Following an inspection, the sale is done with money sent to your bank account.

However, be aware that the price you get quoted by some online buyers may not be the price you end up getting after the inspection. This is because the quote is sometimes based on the car being in good or even ‘showroom’ condition, rather than its most likely condition for its age and mileage.

Selling directly to a dealer

To ensure you get a great deal from a professional car dealer, you can also use Motorway can help you through the process to get a great result.

Motorway’s smart technology matches your car with a nationwide network of over 4,000 verified dealerships looking for cars just like yours. They’ll make competing offers for it and Motorway will find the best offer for you, in less than 24 hours.

It’s by far the easiest and safest way to sell your car – no need to negotiate with someone on a forecourt, it’s all managed from the safety and comfort of your own home – including with free collection of your car once you’ve sold it, including same-day payment in most cases.

By cleverly matching your car with professional dealers looking for one just like it, Motorway can secure you an industry-leading price and reduce the time and effort it takes on all sides. They often beat part exchange quotes too – and you could get £1,000 more than by trading in for another vehicle.

Whether you are looking to sell your car right now or just thinking ahead, when you are ready to sell, above all, make sure you’re informed and consider all your options before making a decision.