How to sell a car

Selling your car can be a difficult and stressful task. There are many options and so many things to consider, including getting an accurate valuation, where to sell your car, preparing your car to be sold, and much more. Often this leaves you with the question: “How do I sell my car?”

That’s why at Arnold Clark, we have a smooth, stress-free and easy process when it comes to selling your car to us. We’ve gathered our top tips that will help you with getting your car ready to sell quickly and conveniently. We also have great tips on getting a fantastic price when the time comes to sell your car.

How do I sell my car? Our top tips

Get a reliable car valuation

The first step to selling your car is getting a reliable car valuation. You should note that some car-buying companies inflate online prices when giving you a car valuation. This makes them seem more appealing. However, it is the physical evaluation that matters.

Car companies can take this as an opportunity to knock hundreds of pounds off the original valuation figure. Several factors go into getting an accurate valuation for your car. These include but are not limited to the vehicle’s:

Arnold Clark has a free-to-use online valuation tool if you decide you would like to sell your car to us. However, It’s important to be honest when detailing the condition of your car online. This will allow us to give you a more accurate valuation that won’t change drastically when our dedicated team physically appraises your car.

Using a trustworthy car company when selling your car is so important. At Arnold Clark, we have a proven track record of giving great prices and quotes – with over, 70 years of experience, we’ve been buying cars since 1954. Plus, we’re known to have one of the UK’s best online car calculators.

Consider where to sell your car

Choosing the best way to sell your car entails considering the different options available. There are many ways to sell your car:

Private sale

This can be a time-consuming process as it involves you handling the advertisement of the car as well as scheduling date and times of any viewers.

When it comes to advertising your car, you’ll need to take photos of the vehicle, detail all the information such as make, model, age, mileage, previous owners, and any faults or issues the car has.

There are online marketplaces that you can sell your car on, but these will charge a fee to create and post an ad. Some may also take a fee on the sale.

With a private sale, there is also a high chance that there will be people who won’t show up, time wasters who don’t have a genuine interest in the car, and hagglers that will try get the car for as cheap as possible.

Selling to an online car-buying company

This tends to be the fastest way to sell, but, because online car companies know you’re in a hurry to sell, you don’t always get what your car is truly worth.

These quick-cash sites normally involve a second appraisal by one of their employees visiting your house or agreed location to inspect the car.

If any faults are found, the final price you are offered could be substantially lower. However, the speed and convenience of selling through these sites can be a big plus for customers.

Sell to a dealership

Selling your car to a dealer is a convenient option as you can choose dates and times that suit you, and therefore sell quickly and conveniently.

Typically, you can get a guideline offer from the dealer's website and then book an appointment at one of their branches if you are happy with their initial quote.

At your appointment, the dealership staff will physically inspect your car to give you an accurate final offer.

Car dealers will also buy your car if you have outstanding finance left to pay. If the car is worth more than is owed on the remaining payments, the dealer may pay off any finance left on the car and deduct that from the amount the car is worth, which will leave you with the leftover balance.

Alternatively, they can help contact your finance company to get a settlement fee.

Part-exchange your car

Selling your car to a dealership and putting that cash towards buying a new car from them allows you to upgrade and change what you drive.

Part-exchanging your car is an all-in-one transaction that easily allows you to get rid of your old car and purchase a new one.

Whilst it might be convenient to buy and sell with the same dealer, it’s not always the way to get the best price for your car as some dealers can make more from part-exchanges.

The best route to take in this instance is to split the part-exchange transaction into two. Firstly, sell your car outright to the dealer and then, secondly, start a new transaction by using that cash to buy a new car.

Scrapping your car for cash

Selling your car to scrap could be the best option if your car is no longer roadworthy, has failed its MOT, the cost of repair isn’t worth restoring the car, or it’s a non-runner.

A dealership, private buyer or car-buying site may not give you an offer for a car that’s very old or not functioning, or if they do, the offer could be extremely low.

You may find that car scrappage schemes or websites will offer you more, as they can recycle and sell on the parts which a dealership or private buyer wouldn’t.

How to sell a car fast

If the speed of selling is your top priority, then you need to decide what’s the fastest route to getting your cash.

Selling privately can be a lengthy process, as you may have to wait for someone to offer a good enough price. You’ll also have to put in the work to advertise, meet with potential buyers and make sure all relevant sales paperwork has been completed.

Instant online car buyers are the best way to sell fast. However, with these companies, you’ll likely receive less money for your car. This is because they know customers are looking for a quick sale.

So, while this way might be good if you’re pressed for time, it won’t be best for getting what your car is truly worth.

The quickest and best way to sell your car for a great price is to sell to a car dealer. Like with private selling, they can give you a competitive market offer for your car, but then you can make an in-branch appointment at a date, time and branch location that suits you.

1. Prioritise selling your car the stress-free way

   Convenience can be a huge factor in deciding how and where to sell your car. After all, selling should be a hassle and stress-free process. If this is a priority for you, we'd recommend selling to a car dealership like us - this means no meeting with potential buyers, dealing with timewasters, or spending time and money advertising your car

   At Arnold Clark, we make it easy. With us, you can get an online valuation for your car in under 30 seconds and book an in-branch appointment at a time and place that suits you. With over 100 branches across the UK, we’re always nearby.

2. Prepare your car before you sell

   Cleaning your car inside and out is an essential step when getting your car ready to sell. It can make a huge difference on the price you’re offered. Potential buyers will always look to inspect your car for any wear and tear, chips, and scratches to use as a bargaining tool for offering a lower amount. Fixing and repairing any of these cosmetic issues can help you get more for your car when it comes to selling it.

   When you hand the car over, make sure you have provided all relevant paperwork, such as logbooks, V5 documents, and previous service and MOT history. Any extra car appliances should also be included, such as both sets of keys and items like first aid kits.

3. Get the right payment

   No matter what option you choose to sell your car, you should always make sure you have payment confirmation before you hand the keys over. Never let the buyer pay by cheque or say they’ll transfer the money later, as that leaves you in a position where you might not get the cash for your car.

   At Arnold Clark, we provide proof of a secure bank transfer in-branch at your appointment and send a copy to your email address. It’s also completely free to sell to us, meaning there are no hidden admin or transaction fees.

   A trusted car buyer will show you proof of receipt to your bank account or have the exact cash amount ready to hand over. If they don’t initially provide this, ask them to.

4. Reclaim your road tax once you have sold your car

   This is a tip many people forget about. After you’ve sold your car, make sure you’ve cancelled your current car insurance and reclaim any road tax. To reclaim road tax, contact the DVLA and notify them that you no longer own the car. You’ll then receive a refund for any full months of remaining road tax.

   When selling to Arnold Clark, we do this for you. This is just another way we make the process easier. We’ll contact DVLA regarding the purchase of the car and let them know you no longer own it. They should then send out a cheque to your home address.

The best way to sell a car

Choosing where to sell your car is an important decision, and there are many factors to consider when it’s time to do so. However, if you’re looking for a smooth and hassle-free experience, then we’d always recommend selling your car to a dealership, like Arnold Clark.

Selling to a trusted dealer is undoubtedly the easiest option – it’s fast, simple and will ensure you get a fair, honest deal. In this article, we look at why a dealership is the best place to sell your car, what you can expect, the advantages of selling to a dealer and some top tips for when the time comes.

Why a dealership is the best place to sell a car - UK

If you’re looking for the best way to sell your car, there are many advantages of selling your car to a dealership.

• It's fast and convenient

Many people choose to sell to a dealership because of the convenience. If you sell your car privately, you have to advertise it, find a buyer, negotiate a price and organise viewings and test drivers. However, if you opt for a dealership, it takes far less time and effort, and you have the support of our experienced staff to guide you through the process from start to finish.

• There's less research required

If you’re selling your car privately, you will need to put a lot of research into ensuring you get a good deal for your car – from finding the best website to advertise it on, to getting to grips with the dynamics of the car market or to finding a dealer who will genuinely take it off your hands. However, if you choose an established dealer like us, we do most of the legwork for you.

• Arnold Clark is a trusted buyer

If you choose to sell your car to a well-known dealership, you can have peace of mind, knowing that you’re dealing with a reliable buyer. You’ll be protected from any potential scammers and you’ll get a fair and honest deal. We’ve been selling cars since 1954 – meaning we have plenty of knowledge and experience. We’re also the biggest independently owned car retailer in the UK, currently with 4.6 stars on Trustpilot – so you can trust us to get you the best deal.

• You can part-exchange your car

As we touched on above, if you have your eyes on a newer or more expensive model, you can trade in your old vehicle to a dealer in exchange for the new one, all in the one transaction. This is known as car part exchange. This saves you looking for another car elsewhere or dealing with any complex trade deals that involve lots of paperwork.

• You can sell to us even if your car is on finance

It’s possible to sell a car that still has outstanding PCP or HP finance, however, unlike selling a car that you own outright, there are a few things you need to do first. You need to settle any finance before selling as it’s illegal to intentionally sell a car when you’ve not yet paid off the entire loan.

Luckily, Arnold Clark will settle any finance on your car with your finance company, so you don’t have to worry. This will make the process much easier as we can settle your contract directly with the lender and pay you any surplus in cash – which you could then either use towards your next car or put straight in the bank.

• You'll receive payment quickly

If you sell to a dealer, it’s likely you’ll get your money very quickly. When you sell to Arnold Clark, we get the money into your bank account within three working days.

Will a dealership buy my car?

You’ll most likely find a car dealer that will buy your car, but the tricky part is finding the best price. Remember though, car dealerships are in the business of selling cars and will be looking to make a profit – so you may not get anything for a non-running car, a salvage car or a damaged car.

Demand will also play a big role too – if your car is in good condition, not too old and without any mechanical issues, they’ll probably make you a good offer.

At Arnold Clark, we buy any car make or model and we’re committed to finding our customers the best price for their car. We offer completely free car quotes, no hidden fees and a seven-day price guarantee, which means your car offer is valid for seven days. We also have over 180 branches across the UK – meaning you can find us at a location near you.

How do I sell my car to a dealer?

If you’re looking for the most convenient way to sell, then selling it to a dealership is widely known as the most straightforward. You can also decide whether you want to sell it for cash or part-exchange it for another vehicle.

A dealership is the best place to sell your car for cash

Selling a car to a dealership for cash is fairly simple. You can expect the following process:

Our tips for selling to a dealer

Give your car a clean

Remember, appearances count. Even if the car performs well, it’s important to make it presentable. Not only will this save the dealership time and effort, but it will also show your car in a more positive light – and encourage them to make a decent offer for it.

Get rid of any dirt and clean out any rubbish (including in the boot), giving it a proper wash and a wax. If your carpet, floor mats or interior fabric are stained or damaged, it might be a good idea to replace or repair them.

Gather your necessary documents

Make sure you’re prepared and have all the right documentation ready ahead of time. Not only will this make the whole process easier, but it will also show you’re trustworthy and up front about the car’s condition.

The most important is the V5 document or logbook which will prove you’re the registered owner of the car – without this, you can’t sell it and change the owner details. You’ll also need evidence of your service history to show it has been well maintained – this could have a big impact on the price you’re offered.

The dealership will also want to see MOT certificates to show that it has had these carried out regularly. You will likely need a passport, driving licence or utility bill as a form of personal identification – this will vary on the dealership and should be confirmed before you sell.

Have reasonable expectations

While your car may still look great and drive better than others, cars are still a victim of aging and will naturally depreciate in value. It’s said that a car’s value drops by 10% as soon as you drive off the forecourt and it will continue to depreciate from there. Remember, when a dealer buys your car, they’ll do so because they know they can make a profit from it.

• A guide to car depreciation

Conclusion: Why a dealership is the best place to sell your car

Of course, we believe that Arnold Clark is the best place to sell your car. We always aim to get you the best price, and our free, instant online valuation tool is easy to use. But why should you pick us?

• Get a free quote with no obligation to sell

We can give you a quick and free quote for your car online with our valuation tool – and you don’t need to share any personal details! Don’t worry – if you don’t want to go ahead with the sale, there’s no obligation to go through with it.

• We have 70 years of experience and we buiy any car make or model

We’ve been buying and selling cars since 1954, so we have plenty of experience and knowledge. Plus, we always put our customers first. Trust the experts! We also buy all makes and models of cars, so no matter what you’re selling, get in touch!

• Sell your car to a branch near you

As the largest independent car dealer in the UK, we have branches all over the UK. That means you don’t need to travel far to sell your car.

• No hidden fees and a seven-day price guarantee

The price we offer you will be valid for seven days, so you can book an appointment with us at a time that suits you best. The final price you see is always the price you’ll get – we guarantee no hidden fees!

Are you ready to sell your car?

By following these tips your car should now be ready to sell. If you want the best way to sell your car fast and easy for a great price, then sell your car with Arnold Clark.

Simply get your free online quote and then select your nearest branch for your appointment at a date and time that suits you.

You’ll receive an email confirmation of your appointment details along with what to bring with you such as your driver's licence, both sets of keys, and V5C logbook. Then all that's left to do is arrive at your appointment and get a great price for your car – easy.