Car selling tips

There’s no exact science to selling a car quickly and for the best price, but there are some general rules to follow that can help.

Before selling the car

Make sure you have all the paperwork, including the most recent MOT certificate, log book, V5C registration documents and service history. Getting these in order now will save you time and money later on in the sale.

If your car is in need of a repair, consider having it done before selling it. Or, at least get a quote that you can discuss with the person who would like to buy it from you.

Get your car valued so the price you list it for is accurate. This is all done for free as part of your listing through AutoVolo. You can also check the prices of other cars on the website to give you an idea of how much you should ask for it.

Listing the car

To show off your car, always take photos, preferably of the interior as well as the exterior. Wash it before taking the pictures and always take them in daylight.

Be accurate when writing about the car, including the condition, mileage and year the car was registered. It’s essential that you declare any serious problems or state if the car isn’t roadworthy.

During the sale

If a potential buyer would like to view the car, make sure you are with someone. Before allowing the potential buyer to test drive the car, check their driving license and make sure you go with them, preferably also taking someone else along for extra safety.

They may ask to make copies of your car’s documents, or take pictures, but do not allow them. They may also want to haggle the price, which is normal when selling a car so don’t be surprised if it sells for less than it’s listed.

If they would like to go ahead and buy your car, try to organise an online bank transfer or cash. Some people prefer to pay using a cheque, and sometimes with a cheque from the building society, so make sure it has cleared before giving them the car.

During every sale, it’s best to wait until you have all the money before handing over the keys.

List your car today

Our site helps you through the whole process of selling your car. Register today to get started with a listing.