what is the best way for an individual to sell a car?

Whether y'all're trading up to something newer, scaling downwardly to something smaller, or yous've had a change in lifestyle and transport needs, at some point y'all're likely to need to sell a automobile.

In most cases you'll want to maximise your return on the car because you'll be using the money to help purchase its replacement, but yous may simply want to become shot of information technology as quickly and conveniently as possible.

Either way, there are an increasing number of different means to sell a car – and a number of steps yous tin can take to ensure that you get the best toll for it.

Not sure what car to buy next? See which ones we recommend by taking a look at our best cars guide.

Half dozen top tips for selling your car

Before you start drafting upward an ad, at that place are a few things you can do maximise the appeal of your car. Here are our top tips on preparing a auto for auction.

1. Get the price right

Y'all don't want to undersell your machine. So before you concord to whatsoever office-exchange deal or put your automobile up for sale, search for similar models advertised online. Try to find cars that are of a similar trim level and age. It will give you a better thought of what your car volition sell for.

2. Consider an MOT (and get together your paperwork)

A car that has recently had an MOT is more appealing than one that hasn't. Non only does it hateful the buyer doesn't have to pay for a new MOT straightaway, simply your buyer can be more confident that the machine is in a good country.

You besides want to make sure y'all have all the relevant documentation to hand. Hither's a quick paperwork checklist:

• V5C (logbook)
• MOT certificates
• Service book
• Manual
• Pregnant invoices and receipts for work done or parts purchased.

If relevant, ensure y'all can prove any outstanding loans have been paid off and that the car is yours to sell.

3. Find all the keys and accessories

Collect together all the keys for your motorcar, including (if y'all accept locking wheel basics) the special socket-manner tool for unlocking alloy wheels. Also re-fit any parts or accessories y'all might have removed, such as a package shelf for the kick or a tool kit.

4. Get it looking spick and bridge

Earlier taking photos, and before anyone takes information technology for a examination drive, requite information technology a adept clean within and out. Pay special attention to the parts a driver is almost likely to see, such as the dashboard, steering wheel, seats, carpets and windows.

If your auto is relatively new and high value, it may exist worth investing in having minor bodywork damage and paintwork scrapes repaired, or renovating scuffed alloy wheels.

Or you could save money and gear up whatever shallow scratches yourself using one of our all-time auto scratch removers .

5. Delete your personal information

You might be thinking, what data? Only if your phone has Bluetooth, you may have copied your phone book to your car's memory, while a built-in sat nav may have the addresses of your domicile, work and friends all stored in its memory. That isn't data yous (or your friends) desire to share by accident, so delete it before you sell.

You will also need to revoke your access rights to the auto and provide evidence of this for the buyer.

Here's how information technology's done:

• Wipe your data – go to your car's infotainment unit of measurement and look in the Settings menu for controls to erase your business relationship and data. Check your manual if you can't find information technology easily on the unit itself. When you drive it to the dealer or buyer, don't reconnect your smartphone to the automobile, as otherwise you'll leave trace information that hasn't been deleted.
• Revoke access – deleting the auto'due south app from your telephone won't be enough to remove your access. You need to break the link between you and the vehicle. Again, you'll demand physical access to the infotainment system in order to trigger the main reset key. Follow the instructions on the unit of measurement or check the transmission to ensure your access is completely revoked before y'all sell it.

If you lot're still unsure how this is washed, give the manufacturer a ring to ask for help.

6. Honesty is the best policy (really)

It'south tempting to be a flake, allow's say, 'economical' with the truth. Merely if you are upfront near your vehicle and reply all questions truthfully, your sale should be straightforward and a buyer volition have little legal comeback should the car later develop faults.

Selling a car past role exchange

If your car is only a few years sometime, or if you're buying another vehicle from the same manufacturer, then part exchanging it may be the best and simplest pick. Franchised dealers are unremarkably keen to take on good-quality second-hand cars for their forecourts, merely may prefer models from the same brands it sells new. Independent dealers volition usually take on almost whatsoever good-condition car in function commutation.

If y'all choose to function commutation, yous should focus on the 'price to alter' – this is the difference between the part-substitution offer on your quondam car and the toll of the new one, rather than the individual price of either. A dealer may outset a discount on your new car against a poor valuation on your old ane, for example, or offer a very expert cost on your old one to tempt you into buying the new auto at shut to list price (the price shown in the brochure).

Bear in heed that virtually dealers will be looking to make a margin on any second-paw auto they take on, so the part-ex toll is unlikely to be equally high equally the cost you'd become from selling privately. However, it's undoubtedly much more user-friendly.

Using an online role substitution service

If you're buying your new car through an online banker or amanuensis, information technology may offer a part-exchange facility, too. Usually you will exist expected to complete a form detailing the automobile'due south condition, mileage and service history, and an offer will exist fabricated. This is unlikely to exist very generous, as your former car will but be sent to sale.

Selling a car to a dealer

If your motorcar is relatively new, has low-mileage and is a model in high need 2d-hand, or if it has particular specialist or niche appeal, then a dealer (franchised or contained) specialising in that marque or type of vehicle may be interested in ownership it outright. Well cared-for mainstream vehicles are also valued by minor local traders, especially if it'southward a car they know they tin sell on once more quickly. This may be a quick and like shooting fish in a barrel way to sell, if not the most lucrative.

Selling a car via private classified ads

Traditional classified ads – now online as well as in newspapers and magazines, of course – remain a popular way to sell used cars. For sports, performance or archetype cars, for example, consider advertising in a specialist magazine or on a related website; for a low-value older auto, one of the gratis-ad websites (such every bit Gumtree ) or local free papers may be a better bet.

Brand sure your advert describes the machine accurately and gives all the necessary information: specific model and specification, age, mileage, length of MOT and service history. Avoid unnecessary waffle, but put in any highly-seasoned data, such as 'but ane possessor', 'contempo cam belt change' or 'new tyres', if applicable. Also provide a good selection of decent-quality photographs, including interior shots.

Be prepared for people who fail to plough up, time wasters and aggressive hagglers. Make sure that buyers are insured for test driving and have a valid driving licence. About importantly, be wary of crooks: be careful giving out your personal information online, practise non leave people in your car lone with the keys or paperwork, and be mindful of your own personal security and safety at all times.

Top tip When taking payment in a private sale, write out 2 receipts for any deposit or payment fabricated, signed by you and the heir-apparent, including the car'south make, model and registration number, agreed price and how the coin was received. Write down both your and the buyer'due south full names and addresses, with date and time. Be on your baby-sit for forged banknotes; a banker's draft is more secure, but could take two weeks or more than to clear, and forgeries do occur. Practise non hand over the keys until the funds are safely in your business relationship.

Selling a car at an sale

Sending your car to an sale is a more than impersonal mode to dispose of it, although in that location are no guarantees of a sale and prices are not generally loftier. You volition need to pay an entry fee and set a reserve toll; if it does not achieve this price, y'all will have to have it home or effort again in another sale. Although you should receive payment from the auction company promptly, commission will be deducted.

Online auctions

Auction websites, such as Ebay , are a popular way to buy and sell second-hand cars of all types and ages. Y'all'll usually have to pay a small fee and tin set a reserve price; Ebay also allows a 'purchase it at present' function at a set price. Bidders can ask questions prior to the auction, but equally long as the machine is described accurately, bids are legally binding. Follow the same approach to writing an Ebay ad as you lot would for a classified ad, as described in a higher place.

As the buyer may be purchasing unseen, don't look to achieve a summit value. Be wary of bidders with no Ebay history, or without positive feedback, and do not do business concern with anyone offer you a suspiciously high price to settle up outside of Ebay's payment system (ie handing over your bank account details).

Selling a auto using an online service

There are an increasing number of companies that offer to buy your car, such equally webuyanycar . Yous enter your car'due south details on the company'due south website (such as historic period and mileage), receive a valuation, and so take information technology to a local depot to accept it assessed. If all is well the coin is unremarkably paid direct into your bank account, just admin fees may be payable.

Such companies just offer a cost giving margin for profit one time they sell the car at sale. Online valuations are only conditional prior to the car'southward inspection, and may be substantially reduced once the automobile has been seen.

Alternatively, you could use an online service such as Thruway , which gives you a valuation for your car then presents information technology to dealers. If y'all choose to have the highest offering, your auto will exist nerveless for complimentary.

Comport in mind that while online car buying services such as these are very user-friendly, you're near certain to get a better price selling the car privately or sending information technology straight to sale.

Donate a car to charity

If you lot are stuck with a low-value auto or you lot but can't face the tyre-kickers, you could donate it to a charity. Many charities, from big household names to small-scale local fund raisers, are signed up to schemes whereby a donated car can be collected and either auctioned (if information technology's roadworthy), or scrapped and recycled, with the charity receiving the price paid. This is sometimes done in partnership with social enterprises, such as those providing work experience for disadvantaged people.

You will be able to declare the donation as Souvenir Aid, which will increase the money your chosen charity receives. Inquiry the different schemes, nonetheless, considering some deduct fees for administration and vehicle collection, reducing the money a clemency gets.

Other things to consider

• Y'all are legally responsible for your automobile until the DVLA is notified of its sale, either via sending role of the V5C (logbook) or notifying the DVLA using their online service .
• Any future full months' auto tax (VED) y'all have paid will be refunded to the person named on the V5C. The new buyer volition need to tax the motorcar themselves.
• Settle any outstanding finance with your lender.
• The buyer should notify a warranty company, if applicable, of the change of buying. Products such as servicing packages, if originally bought, may also be transferable.
• Call up to notify your insurer that y'all no longer ain the auto.

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Source: https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/new-and-used-cars/article/how-to-sell-a-car-aTQAT5T1ZKuT

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