Before you start shopping for a car, you’ll need to do some homework. Spending time now may save you serious money later. Think about your driving habits, your needs, and your budget. 

You can learn about car models, options, and prices by reading newspaper ads, both display and classified. There is a wealth of information about used cars on the Internet: enter "used car" as the key words and you’ll find additional information on how to buy a used car, detailed instructions for conducting a pre-purchase inspection, and ads for cars available for sale, among other information. 
Libraries and book stores also have publications that compare car models, options, and costs, and offer information about frequency-of-repair records, safety tests, and mileage. Many of these publications have details on the do’s and don’ts of buying a used car.

General guidelines to selling a car.

 
  • Decide how quickly you wish to dispose of your car.
  • Compare prices of similar vehicles advertised so you can determine your asking price.
  • Presentation is important.
    1. Clean your car prior to visits from prospective buyers.
    2. If possible, replace any worn looking accessories interior car mats etc.
  • If applicable, ensure you have a valid MOT certificate and make available any documentation verifying the history, servicing and mileage of the car.
  • Should you accept payment by cheque, ensure the transaction has cleared in your bank before you release the vehicle to the buyer.

 

Selling a car privately

This method can be time consuming but will generally achieve the highest price.
There are many ways of advertising your car for sale but repeated advertising can be costly.

Weekly car magazines are usually more successful than newspapers and prices can range from £22.00 plus VAT per week for a basic picture with text, to £90.00 plus VAT for a larger full colour boxed advertisement.

Be aware that your car may need to be advertised more than once before it is sold and resulting costs could reach anything from £100 plus VAT to £450 plus VAT for one months advertising.
Wherever you advertise always price your car sensibly not many people will buy an overpriced car.

Be available to accept telephone calls and arrange viewing times for people interested in you car.

Never allow a test drive without adequate insurance cover - DO NOT accept verbal confirmation that this is the case.

Always have any documentation available for the potential buyer, e.g. service invoices, MOT certificate and any other relevant paperwork.

Selling a car to The Motor Trade

This is the quickest means of disposal without recourse.
While easy and relatively stress free, a poor price is likely.

Selling a car through A Car Auction

This is also a method of quick disposal but can be costly. 
Car Auctions are ideal for the disposal of mechanically defective or poor quality vehicles. 
There can be fees of up to £30.00 each time the vehicle is entered for sale, with commissions to pay of up to 7.5% plus VAT on the selling price. 
There can also be further hidden costs, for example:

A car valued at £5000 entered for sale 3 times would cost:-

 

Entry Fees    £

90.00

Sale Commission £

403.00

Sundries   

5.00

Sub Total £

498.00

VAT £

87.15

Total £

585.15

This is more than 10% of the car's value and a generally poor trade price is achieved.