Selling your car can be a stressful experience if you’re unfamiliar with the process, but by following these simple steps you can ensure you get the best deal.

First it’s worth noting that the easiest way to sell your car is simply to trade it in when you buy a new one. You could also sell it to a car buying service like Car Planet. But if you do want to sell privately, you might be able to secure a higher price—although at the sake of convenience. And if you can even find a buyer in the first place. Because you’ll have to arrange and pay for advertising, find space for two cars at home or on the street while maintaining insurance cover and car tax on both, and deal with potential buyers, each of whom will have lots of questions and want viewings and test drives.

Get your car ready for viewings

Preparing your car for sale is vital if you want to sell it fast and for the best price. Presenting it well and clearly displaying its service history and mechanical condition will make all the difference.

• Clean and tidy the interior of your car
• Repair minor paintwork damage and mechanical faults
• Get a new MOT, especially if the current one has less than 3 months on it
• Consider getting a full professional valet service. This will save you a lot of time, and the results will probably far exceed what you can do yourself.

Ensure you conduct the process legally

• You must have the right to sell the car

• The car must match the description as advertised
• The car must be roadworthy

Enjoy a smooth sale

Price

• Price your car realistically, especially if you want to sell it quickly
• Check the prices of similar cars
• Include a margin for haggling. That way the buyer will have the satisfaction of having negotiated you down, while in actual fact you’ll still get the amount you wanted.

Finance

• You can’t sell a car with outstanding finance. This includes outstanding hire purchase or conditional sale agreements.

• If you do want to sell the car, you must either get the finance company’s permission or settle the finance first.

Claims

• Never make false or reckless claims about your car.
• Be careful how you word your ad. Lines like First to see will buy convince no one, and make you look like you’ve got an ulterior motive for wanting to be rid of the car ASAP.

Facts

• Describe your car accurately. Lying that it’s in better condition wouldn’t only be clearly immoral, but would also be pointless, because a prospective buyer will easily sniff out any falsehoods, and perhaps alert others to your untrustworthiness.
• Quote the car’s year or numberplate, and state how many months are left on its MOT.
• Beware thieves pretending to be potential buyers. If you give them details like the car’s VIN or share identifying information about yourself, they could create a cloned ad.
• Remember, a genuine buyer will always want to view the vehicle and check for themselves that it matches the ad.

Condition

• Describe your car’s exact condition both in the ad and on the receipt.
• If you’re selling the car for spares only or it needs major repairs, state this clearly. Include this information on the receipt once a sale’s been agreed.

Documents

• Have all documents to hand, including service records and MOT certificates.
• Never let prospective buyers make copies or take photos of your documents.
• Keep receipts of any work carried out during your ownership.
• Include your fully stamped dealer service record if you have one, as this adds value.
• Remember to hand over all relevant documents upon sale.

Test drive

• Take the buyer’s contact details when arranging a test drive. A genuine buyer will be happy to provide these.
• Ask to see their driving licence if they expect to test-drive the car.
• Check they’re insured to test-drive your car. Your own insurance may cover this.
• Always accompany potential buyers during test drives. If you change seats partway through the drive, take the keys with you, and hand them over only when you’re back inside. These two measures help prevent the car being stolen.
• If it makes you feel safer or more confident, have someone else present during viewings and on test drives.

Receipt

• Provide a so-called “sold as seen, tried and approved without guarantee” receipt. This doesn’t affect the buyer’s legal rights—the car must match the description written in the ad or given verbally during the sale. This receipt cannot be used to cover the possibility that the car may be unroadworthy in some way.
• Source and print off a buyer’s–seller’s contract.

Payment

• Bank transfers are the fastest and most secure way to get paid. This can be done immediately through CHAPS (with a fee). CHAPS payments are irrevocable.
• Never let a buyer drive off with your car until you’re satisfied you’ve been paid in full. If you’re paid with a personal or building society cheque, wait for it to clear in your bank before handing the keys over.
• Beware emails from abroad offering to buy your car without a viewing, and offering overpayments.
• Consider using an escrow company, a third party that holds the money on behalf of the transacting parties. Just make sure they’re legitimate by checking the FCA’s register of payment services firms authorised in the UK.
• Remember that banker’s drafts can be forged, so if you’re paid this way make sure the funds have cleared into your account before letting the buyer drive away

Draw up a buyer’s–seller’s contract to protect yourself

• Print off two copies, one for you and one for the buyer.
• Complete contracts at the same time as the buyer and sign and date them.
• Keep a signed copy as proof of purchase.
  

Inform the DVLA of the sale

• Tell the DVLA you’ve sold your car. You can do this easily online. It’s in your interest to do this fast, as you’re no longer responsible for the car. Otherwise you could find yourself landed with the new owner’s offences and convictions.
• The car’s vehicle record will be updated immediately, and you’ll be refunded any unused vehicle tax in the next few days.
• Alternatively you can inform the DVLA by post by completing the new keeper details on the V5C and signing the declaration along with the buyer, then sending it. The process of updating the vehicle record and refunding you your unused vehicle tax will take longer than if you inform the DVLA online.
• Whether you inform the DVLA online or by post, you must give the buyer the V5C/2 section, which is their proof of keepership until they receive a new V5C from the DVLA.

Sell your car today with Car Planet

Save yourself the hassle of advertising and arranging viewings for your car. Car Planet are trusted experts in used cars in Watford and Hertfordshire. We buy cars as a service, too—in fact, our buying team will travel across the country to collect your car, and we offer a free we-come-to-you service within 75 miles!

Our virtual viewings mean you can check out a car from the comfort of your own home, or you can come in and view our cars in person. Every car goes through a thorough 150-point check to ensure it’s totally roadworthy. We’re transparent, too: we always display the details of a car’s imperfections. We care about sustainability, which is why we plant a tree for every car we sell, and we provide a 7-day money-back guarantee to any customer who isn’t absolutely satisfied with our service. With our competitive finance deals and part exchanges, you’re sure to find what you need, so start your search today and let’s get the ball rolling!