I'm thinking about selling my car.  My partner never uses his car and its just really stupid to have two cars when one is enough.  His car is a better "dog car" so that's the one that we'll keep.

I am nervous about how to sell the car though - I've never sold a car before and I honestly do not know how to do it; other than take it to a used car place and sell it to them. 

What I am nervous about are strangers showing up and wanting to test drive the car.   Dealing with timewasters.   And just the whole process really.

What is the easiest and quickest way to sell a car?

The easiest and quickest way is through a dealership who have second hand cars. They will check the car out and give you a price, you may be able to haggle with them. Though you won't get the best price doing it this way, but defo easiest and quickest way.

It depends on the value of your car but you will get the best price by selling it privately and something like auto trader can give you the most coverage.  If you have a look at their site I think they offer advice to sellers which will be worth a read.  also try Gumtree, Loot etc

Dealers aren't buying much at the moment as they are finding it difficult to shift stuff BUT diesels are still holding their own as are some hatchbacks and estate cars.  4x4's are very difficult to sell now.

Best advice for a new seller is to use a mobile number in your advert - you can buy one just for this if you prefer.  Only answer the phone between your limit hours eg 9 -7pm.  Don't call back, don't arrange to meet anywhere, arrange viewings in daylight hours where possible and make sure you have someone at home with you when anyone visits to view.  If the buyer wishes to test drive your car let your partner go with them.  It's mostly common sense and although you will prob get some nuisance calls they will stop once the advert has finished.

You might also want to consider an auction site like eBay - set a reserve - and you can sell to a fixed timetable.  Do your research online first to see what prices you car is making.  Good luck

We've always found Autotrader to be good.  You put your advert and photos on online to go on the internet site and, if you want, can put them in the magazine too.  Good luck.

Simone

>We've always found Autotrader to be good.

We had the opposite experience, and would never, ever recommend them. :-(

I sold mine through autotrader, didnt have a problem other than a few dealers phone up.

When/if you sell it do 2 copies of a receipt that gives Reg, Make, Model, taxed till ???, Mot till ??? price paid and also 'sold as seen and tested'. Get buyer to sign both, you sign both and have 1 copy each.
Chris

I would use your local newspaper to start with, and if anybody wants to view, make sure they come when your OH is home.

If you advertise on autotrader/gumtree/loot make sure you put 'no canvassers please' or you will be bombarded with calls from companies who have 'a buyer interested in your car plus a free holiday within the UK.' ALSO- please be careful if you use email as a point of contact. I received about 50 dodgey emails from people wanting me to ship the car to Ireland, send them more pictures even though there were 9 on the website and people willing to pay above the asking without even seeing the car.

The second hand car market in the UK really is not at it's best so be prepared to really lower your asking price if you are desperate to sell (which you don't sound to be). I have recently tried to sell my car in the UK and only got one legitimate phone enquiry in three months... so have subsequently shipped my car to Australia to sell it. The international shipping companies are having a field day with car shipping from the UK as people are struggling to sell.

You are right to be nervous as there are so many dodgey people out there looking to scam car sellers. Be really careful about giving out your details and never let someone test drive your car without at least one person accompanying them.

If it was me, I would utilise the free advertising sites first, post loads of pictures and be tough on anyone who sounds like a time waster. If you have no luck with that, go for autotrader as it is by far the most well known site- make sure your price is competitive or you will get no where. Best of luck and be safe!

Funnily - we've always the easiest sales by putting notices in the car window !.
The one time we posted on a car sales website we were successful, it sold easily, but we received so many scam messages, you know the sort - transfer ex.amout to our bank (always overseas) and they'll forward a bank draft with the change !.

No, for us it will always be posters in the car itself - it's easier for people, they can see what they are getting as well. Twice it's turned out to be friends of neighbours who have bought them !. The neighbours have known people who are looking for cars and let them know !.

>for us it will always be posters in the car itself - it's easier for people, they can see what they are getting as well.

Ditto - that's always been the quickest and easiest method for us too.

Thanks for the tips.  I think I will ask the used car sellers first - that will get me the lowest price offer :-)  and then I will use the "sign in the window" to see if that drums anyone up. Don't think I can deal with Autotrader and lots of strangers coming to test drive the car.   My husband is disabled and it would be me that has to go with the potential buyer on the test drive and although I am no lightweight (arggghhhh) I still do not want to take the chance.

I have sold many cars, put it in the local paper or bargin paper, a woman can sell a car better than a man. If the car has an obvious problem, point it out. If you want say £900.00 for it advertise it at £1120.00 when they ring and ask to see it, make sure someone eles is home with you, but, remains inside the house. Go over the car like, it is m.o.t. taxed ect. say you didn't want to sell it but you need the money! The will ask you what the lowest you will except. Don't give them an answer, ask them what they are offering. If they say £900.00 do not jump at it. Let them haggle with you, you say £1000.00 Then say Oh!! well it owes me more than that but! go one take it, if you have it now. Do not except a cheque, do not hold the car without a good deposit that you give a reciept for. If they don't give a deposit tell them money speaks and if anyone comes you will have to let it go. I have let them test drive the car on there own just down the road but I hold on to there car keys untill they return. Always say you have other people coming to see the car.Best of luck. Dealers will give you rock bottom price. At the price they give you the car would sell in a day, in the paper. Always give a reciept brought as seen, date, price and signed.

Denese

Denese,

How about you sell my car for me - and I give you a commission!   LOL

Thanks for the advice.

Stacey

Cairnmania,
If you lived local, I would, you see they think all women are idiots when it comes to cars, so let them think it. lol

Denese