The automobile seller’s dilemma: Private sale or part-exchange?

Want to sell your auto? Possibly you are trading-up to a new auto (or a ‘new’ used auto) to mark the arrival of the 15 registration plates on March 1?

So how do you make sure you’re getting the greatest price tag for your current set of wheels?

Deal or no deal?

The easiest way to sell a automobile is to method a specialist dealer – particularly if you are prepared to portion-exchange your auto for a new one.

BUT you’ll only ever get the trade cost for your car this way. Promoting the car privately is the only way to get the full retail worth.

And that can make a big difference to the amount of cash you receive. You are most likely to get 10% or 15% much more from a private buyer than a dealer.

So say you are selling a vehicle worth about £5,000, you stand to make an further £500 or more undertaking the deal this way.

Private investigations

Private sales have disadvantages, although.

You will have to do the legwork – advertising the automobile, dealing with calls or messages from interested purchasers and arranging viewings and test drives.

You will also have to be on your guard against scams such as dodgy payments.

So which way of selling your car is appropriate for you?

Selling privately – the pros and cons

• The massive bonus with a private sale is that you will get much more money for your automobile (if you stick to your guns and get the proper cost – this can be up to 15% much more in some circumstances).

• BUT it’s up to you to advertise the auto and deal with interested parties, which will take time and comes with certain risks, such as tyre-kickers and timewasters, unrealistic purchasers trying to screw you on the cost and, if you’re really unlucky, con-artists and crooks.

Trading-in – the pros and cons

• The main advantage to trading-in a car rather than promoting it privately is ease and comfort. There’s no writing adverts or fielding calls, and if something goes wrong you can take it up with the dealership.

• You ought to get a slightly better deal on element-exchange than if you sell your vehicle outright to a dealer.

• BUT you’ll by no means get as a lot as you would have if you’d sold it privately.

Selling privately – top tips

• Advertise your automobile on-line as properly as locally. Websites such as Gumtree are a good location to start.


• Put a For Sale sign in the auto window to catch the eye of passers-by.


• Describe the automobile accurately in your adverts and make certain it is roadworthy ahead of putting it up for sale.


• Clean it inside and out, and get rid of any evidence of dog hairs or cigarette smoke.


• Collect all the relevant paperwork, including the V5C registration certificate, the service history and MOT certificate.


• Never ever let the purchaser go on a test drive alone – they may possibly not come back! And verify they are insured to drive the auto.


• Safeguard your self by selecting a secure payment method such as PayPal.

Trading-in – prime tips

• Diverse dealers will supply you distinct valuations, so shop about for a very good deal prior to agreeing to a sale price.


• Haggle – most dealers will work a bit of flexibility into their value as they know individuals feel much better if they believe they have negotiated a far better deal.


• Tell DVLA that you have sold the vehicle right away. That way, you will automatically get a refund from DVLA of any road tax you’ve still got left to run (full ‘unused’ months only).

This is crucial however you sell the car!

The automobile seller’s dilemma: Private sale or part-exchange?