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Anyone sold their car on Motorway.com?

43 replies

User5512 · 20/09/2023 20:23

Never sold a car before. So looking for advice.

We’ll be listing tomorrow on Motorway (mainly for convenience and decent price). What happens after a deal is agreed?

  1. Do I get paid before the dealer collects the car?
  2. At what point does the ownership transfer and how? Will I still be liable for a few days until the ownership transfers?
  3. can I cancel insurance on the car next day after the dealer collects it?
  4. what personal documents should I give to the dealer? Why do they need my driving license?
  5. anything I should be careful about?

grateful for any relevant advice, thank you

OP posts:
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roses2 · 20/12/2024 15:14

Last Saturday I listed the car on both Carwow and Motorway. Carwow gave me a reserve price of £1,900 and Motorway £2,100. Carwow auction closed at £2,100 and Motorway £2,360.

Had to chase the dealer as no contact after 3 days. He collected on 4th day, spotted a leak inside the boot which I hadn't noticed and deducted £200. DH wasn't happy but I accepted as it would have cost us £50 to list on Autotrader and more time. With the MOT due end Feb and the new car already arrived I just wanted this one gone.

Dealer said he bid on both Carwow and Motorway and he was the highest bidder on both. I'd recommend only listing on one site at a time and go first which whoever gives the highest recommenced price.

roses2 · 03/12/2024 14:20

Thanks, I am looking at selling in 2-3 weeks when the new car arrives although the MOT is due in Feb so I know the longer I leave it the less I will get!

Locutus2000 · 03/12/2024 14:09

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

MoreCardassianThanKardashian · 03/12/2024 13:52

roses2 · 03/12/2024 10:50

I am looking to sell my car. How long does it take via Motorway?

Not long. They have auctions most days. You're looking at a week max. If you want quicker, go to webuyanycar. Cost difference isn't massive.

roses2 · 03/12/2024 10:50

I am looking to sell my car. How long does it take via Motorway?

toomanydicksonthedancefloor1 · 09/09/2024 16:08

Most of the new procedures have happened within the last 18 months and are good news for reputable firms and for sellers.

toomanydicksonthedancefloor1 · 09/09/2024 16:07

@MoreCardassianThanKardashian I'm sorry that happened to you. Unfortunately there are a lot of crooks in the motor industry, its bad reputation is sad but true. This was a known practice and that's why Motorway have out a lot of new procedures in place to prevent this from happening. So if I go to buy a car and there's a massive rust patch on the bonnet that wasn't in the photos or declared (which has happened) or the seller said 2 wheels are scuffed and 4 wheels are Scuffed, I agree the reduced the price with the seller and explain why then I have to submit an alteration with Motorway with photos as evidence. The seller can of course refuse the reduced price and I walk away. If they decide we were wrong we get a black mark. Two black marks and I believe they kick you off. Although we've never had a black mark and I would say we have to adjust 1 in 10 prices.

MoreCardassianThanKardashian · 09/09/2024 15:58

toomanydicksonthedancefloor1 · 09/09/2024 14:24

No I haven't however I work at a motor dealers and I deal with the purchase of a couple of cars every week via Motorway.

Just make sure you've been honest on your description and photos and there's nothing to worry about. We do sometimes have to reduce prices but that's because a seller hasn't declared some damage. You'll be paid by the dealer before the car leaves you, once they have a driver with you who has appraised the car. DO NOT accept payment by any other means than bank transfer and check you've received it before giving them the keys. As a dealer if we adjust the price we have to provide photographic evidence to Motorway and get this approved, too many adjustments that aren't justified and they can bar you from buying.

A reputable dealer should provide a purchase invoice for you to prove sale of the vehicle to them.

You can notify DVLA online of the sale (legally it's your responsibility) the dealer will take the full V5 so take a photo of the front of it before they leave. Make sure to notify the sale to a motor trader, NOT a new keeper, otherwise they get added as another keeper.

And Motorway are very helpful if you get stuck.

This is very interesting. I sold once through motorway and once advertised but ended up going through wbac. The time I did sell through them, motorway themselves were wonderful but the dealer was exactly what I wanted to avoid. Two road men turned up and did the usual tyre kicking, ragged (and sped) my car on the test drive and tried to reduce the price for no reason. I'm certain they weren't covered on this guys insurance to test drive so I refused for them to take it any further than up and down the avenue which was still too much. They 100% didn't discuss any reductions with motorway and didn't get any either as I told them to pay it or leave but they will have ripped a lot of people off I reckon. I did complain but motorway did nothing.

MoreCardassianThanKardashian · 09/09/2024 15:54

Larsson11 · 05/09/2024 17:06

My electric seat is buggered - would cost over 1k to fix - do you think if they didn't pick up on after taking it for a test drive I would be ok?

Why be dodgy? Take it to we buy any car if you have concerns - they just drive it forwards and backwards and may not notice - but don't try and rip someone off.

Idontjetwashthefucker · 09/09/2024 14:33

Move22 · 20/09/2023 20:46

Be warned. They get you down on the ‘agreed price’. Find every little scra5ch and dent. Probably look at your insurance ( somehow they knew m6 had has been spray painted). Yes they check you are at the address on your DL and that it matches to the address on your V5. Once they pay the ownership goes to them and your are no longer responsible for insuring it. You post off the V5 slip to DVLC just like any sale. HTH. You could do a makeshift invoice or write on a piece of paper sold car make model registration number to ‘XXXX’ on DATE for the sum of £XXXX ‘sold as seen’.

Didn't with me, you need to ensure you take clear pictures from the angles requested, they review the photos and any paperwork, gave me a quote which I was VERY happy with. A woman turned up (on the train), gave the car the once over, rang Motorway, told them it was as the pics, money was transferred, car driven away. I completed the seller's part of the registration document and sent it off, that was it. Brilliant service

ATenShun · 09/09/2024 14:29

toomanydicksonthedancefloor1 · 09/09/2024 14:25

And yes we test drive it too to check the brakes are working, clutch not on it's way out, no warning lights, knocking noises etc. but I don't know if all dealers would.

I'm a motor trader but found Motorway too expensive as a buying platform for bread and butter stuff.

toomanydicksonthedancefloor1 · 09/09/2024 14:25

And yes we test drive it too to check the brakes are working, clutch not on it's way out, no warning lights, knocking noises etc. but I don't know if all dealers would.

toomanydicksonthedancefloor1 · 09/09/2024 14:24

No I haven't however I work at a motor dealers and I deal with the purchase of a couple of cars every week via Motorway.

Just make sure you've been honest on your description and photos and there's nothing to worry about. We do sometimes have to reduce prices but that's because a seller hasn't declared some damage. You'll be paid by the dealer before the car leaves you, once they have a driver with you who has appraised the car. DO NOT accept payment by any other means than bank transfer and check you've received it before giving them the keys. As a dealer if we adjust the price we have to provide photographic evidence to Motorway and get this approved, too many adjustments that aren't justified and they can bar you from buying.

A reputable dealer should provide a purchase invoice for you to prove sale of the vehicle to them.

You can notify DVLA online of the sale (legally it's your responsibility) the dealer will take the full V5 so take a photo of the front of it before they leave. Make sure to notify the sale to a motor trader, NOT a new keeper, otherwise they get added as another keeper.

And Motorway are very helpful if you get stuck.

ATenShun · 09/09/2024 13:52

If it's the drivers seat I'd say that would be noticed.

Larsson11 · 09/09/2024 12:54

Do they always do a test drive or drive it back to the garage as our electric seat is buggered - would cost over 1k to fix

Larsson11 · 09/09/2024 12:53

Do they always do a test drive as our car seat motor is buggered.

Larsson11 · 05/09/2024 17:06

My electric seat is buggered - would cost over 1k to fix - do you think if they didn't pick up on after taking it for a test drive I would be ok?

Larsson11 · 04/09/2024 15:54

Hi all

Do they check if the electric seats work as ours is broken?

Mynewnameis · 30/03/2024 07:56

They man who collected only drove it around the block.
It had to drive it before he arrived as brakes had been sticking. Not a fault just car was unused.
If they detect the noise they may try and negotiate on price. I was knocked down a small amount for paint chips I thought were dirt.

mateysmum · 29/03/2024 18:04

It's individual dealers who bid so they will do things their own way. The guy who bought my son's car did take it for a short test drive. I think it's important to be honest but many dealers won't care if they think its just a minor fault that they can fix.
I was really pleased with the price we got and it was a pretty smooth process.

Edwardandtubbs · 29/03/2024 17:31

I know this is an old thread but if any of you are still around …

I’m looking at selling to Motorway. The car is pristine in terms of body work and is a hi spec, low mileage, top of the range 4x4 - albeit 12 yrs old.

The thing is, it’s developed a couple of funny noises when I drive it.

How would Motorway deal with this? If they don’t test drive it and possibly tow it away, they won’t know this til later, possibly much later.

Any tips/insight? Thanks

SJB1604 · 04/11/2023 07:39

Thank you for your advice all

User5512 · 04/11/2023 07:23

Our car was in great condition and we declared every single scratch/dent.

The dealer who bought the car didn’t want to test drive. They towed the car away. This was surprising as we sold a good condition family car - 7yr old Ford Focus with no previous owners!

OP posts:
AllyCart · 03/11/2023 23:33

SJB1604 · 03/11/2023 21:28

Sorry quite new to this …

Do they test drive the car beforehand? I think I’d want my husband to deal with all of that as not keen on having a stranger driving me around in my car.

Also has anyone had a bad experience after payment given to you? E.g. them claiming the car is damaged after they’ve taken it and driven off like dents scratches etc - guessing it is sold but wary of scammers trying their luck playing silly games to get money back just want an easy life and no issues ideally

The buyers are businesses not general public so not the same risk as eBay etc.

Just be completely honest and accurate when declaring the condition and any damage for the listing.

It's amazing how many people think scratches and dents are normal and don't need to be declared but that's what results in you not getting the original quoted price from buyers on Motorway or WBAC etc.

Alargeoneplease89 · 03/11/2023 21:52

amanda171 · 21/09/2023 21:28

I've sold twice with Motorway - they exceeded everyone on price - and I checked all the usual sites, even driving to a couple of them for them to view. I was not knocked down on price either. Make sure you declare any damage. I gave both a thorough clean inside and out before taking the photos to upload to Motorways site. The log book that you have with your car they give you the slip back with their details on which you post back to DVLC just like any car sale. I cancelled the insurance as soon as they left. Money is transferred to you before they take the car.

Exact same for me, sold twice and had no problems and the best price.