Best way to sell a car?

[NinaDefoe]

I’ve looked at Autotrader, Motorway, WeBuyAnyCar etc. and I’m not sure what is the best way to go.

I have a car sitting on my drive. 10 years old, ave mileage, drives great BUT, if I was keeping it, I’d have some some minor work done.

It’s a great car and the dealer ads on Auto trader put it at 5-6K.
BUT, as I say, it’s not perfect.
I’d take the Motorway/WeBuyAnyCar valuation (3K) ifI knew it wasn’t going to be slashed further.

WWYD?

@Nordicwannabe

Perhaps your screeing or advertising isn't up to scratch if it isn't working for you?

How do you screen people calling, do you only let them come if they seem genuine?

We're likewise planning to sell a car - and auto trader does seem the best route, but a bit intimidating. Any advice welcome!

I don't seem have had had a problem with it. Each viewer has bought so perhaps I am honest in the faults and any issues or work done and don't sell cars with bald tyres?

I used Motorway to sell my 7 year old Astra this week.

Like you, I was worried about tyre kickers and con artists on Autotrader and gumtree, and I've heard that We Buy Any Car quibble over everything and knock off large amounts at the point of sale.

I found Motorway really easy, all online, the guide to what to supply and taking the photos was idiot proof, lots of email communication, allowed me to declare a couple of scratches so no surprises for the buyer. Then it was collected from my house a few days later (the man that came was really nice, not intimidating, just checked the car over and did a quick test drive) and the money was in my account by the end of the day. It ended up selling for nearly £1000 more than We Buy Any Car's initial quote.

We tend to buy cheap cars and sell when they starting costing a bit more. We always sell via Gumtree. Works for us. Ignore those that offer silly money. Always sold to nice people and no one else gets a big cut!

@NinaDefoe

Perhaps your screeing or advertising isn't up to scratch if it isn't working for you?

The car isn’t listed yet.
This thread is asking for advice from people who have sold privately.

I wasn't talking to you I was talking to the person who seems to have people round kicking their car tyres.

We buy any car is a complete rip off.

Put an honest description on something like auto trader, last time we put a video on it with close ups of the two bits of damage, filmed the inside, outside, tyres, boot, engine etc and had about 8 calls, which we were honest with as we were in France and would be coming back first week in March and we had a deposit in the bank in 3 hours. 3 hours after putting the ad on. Once we had the deposit we took the and down. If it had gone wrong we'd have called back everyone that initially called before putting the an back on.

Find out a good market rate and price it at that and if you don't get calls, and interest, then it is too high. If you get too much then it is too low. If calls aren't asking about specifics and seem vague, then they aren't serious.

You have to give a day to the phone to answer everyone and have a few days coming up when people can view it and if anyone kicks your tyres tell them to stop kicking your car.

Thank you so much for all the replies giving great advice and telling me about personal experiences with different companies!
It’s really appreciated!

I don't seem have had had a problem with it. Each viewer has bought so perhaps I am honest in the faults and any issues or work done and don't sell cars with bald tyres?

Who said anything about bald tyres AlisonDonut?

AlisonDonut

Just read your last post.

Thank you.

Getting hold of stock is difficult at the moment. Ring up some local garages, depending on the car they might just be delighted. Not main dealers if 10years old but car sales and independents. Alternatively you are likely to have a WBAC, or similar very near you, they will confirm a price.

@Essentialgarage

Getting hold of stock is difficult at the moment. Ring up some local garages, depending on the car they might just be delighted. Not main dealers if 10years old but car sales and independents. Alternatively you are likely to have a WBAC, or similar very near you, they will confirm a price.

I didn’t know that was the case! I think I’ve got the idea somehow that nobody wants a 10 year old car!

All I seem to see on the roads nowadays is 70 and 71 plates (not me!) 😅

A 12 plate, why even a 10 plate we'd think of as young.

@Essentialgarage

A 12 plate, why even a 10 plate we'd think of as young.

That’s interesting to know. I had no idea!

You lot are great!
You can tell I’ve not done anything like this before...

I’m going to get it cleaned this morning & take some photos.

Anyone want a VW Golf? Absolute bargain! Form an orderly queue! 🤣🤣🤣

That was a joke by the way! MNUsedCars 😅

The market for golf's is always buoyant. Good luck

@Essentialgarage

The market for golf's is always buoyant. Good luck

Thank you! 😊

I would expect more than 3k for it (obviously I don't know history condition etc)

A lot of private sales in that price range have moved from Autotrader to cheaper platforms such as Gumtree and FB Marketplace. True, you do get more idiots and scammers there but it obviously works well enough for most people. Personally I’d go with Autotrader for the most serious shoppers or WBAC if I was happy to lose out £750-+ for the convenience.

I've always sold via auto trader, I compare to other cars that are the same age, compare the mileage and go from that.
What minor issues need done? It's a 10 year car so it's not going to be perfect. If you sell to a garage they under charge you and they make a profit. As long as the car has a valid service and MOT I don't see the problem.
I always ask for cash and when buying also.

@Essentialgarage

I would expect more than 3k for it (obviously I don't know history condition etc)

It’s a difficult one.

If I was keeping it, I’d get the cam belt replaced this year and would take it in for a service.
The only other problem is the wheel trims (not alloy). They’re the original ones and very worn. Paintwork is good, interior good, never been in an accident. It’s not got the latest Touchscreen radio etc. Just Radio/CD

I think the price has to reflect this which is what I’m finding hard.
It drives beautifully but I don’t need it any longer (long story) so hopefully someone will get a decent car.

I’m writing a description now.

Re. Cam belt... I’m assuming it will need replacing soon. Most cars that age have had it done once so I’m guessing it is due!

@CockingASnook

A lot of private sales in that price range have moved from Autotrader to cheaper platforms such as Gumtree and FB Marketplace. True, you do get more idiots and scammers there but it obviously works well enough for most people. Personally I’d go with Autotrader for the most serious shoppers or WBAC if I was happy to lose out £750-+ for the convenience.

This is what I want to avoid. I’m trying to avoid dealing with scammers.

Loads of great ideas here! Thanks again everyone!

In the nicest possible way, you're inventing problems. A 10 YO Golf is always going to be popular and the wheels and radio are minor issues. People are more interested in condition and reliability at that age and many would get it serviced and the belt done anyway unless it's been done very recently. What is the mileage and service history?

Replacement wheel trims don’t cost very much. You could probably get a new set of these off ebay for not very much. Likewise the radio. It might be fine for a lot of people. If it has aux capability, you can get a cheap Bluetooth connector that connector that goes in the cigarette lighter socket to allow people to connect their phones. Or if someone wants more, they could get the whole head unit replaced for £2/300.

You could probably easily get £5k+ for that car from the right buyer.

@NinaDefoe

Re. Cam belt... I’m assuming it will need replacing soon. Most cars that age have had it done once so I’m guessing it is due!

So 'cam belt will need replacing soon' in the ad.

@NinaDefoe

Re. Cam belt... I’m assuming it will need replacing soon. Most cars that age have had it done once so I’m guessing it is due!

Don't guess, find out. It says in the service schedule.

But definitely contact local dealers of that sort of car, that might be a hassle free way to sell. They'll be please to cut out the middle man of auction fees and will have arrangements with garages to get the work done cheaply. Also, some garages sell cars so they might be interest as they can do the work and sell the car, there's a couple of independent workshops near me that do that. A garage with a few cars for sale too.

^This is what I want to avoid.
I’m trying to avoid dealing with scammers^

You can tell a lot from how someone will be from their initial contact. A genuine buyer will ask questions in sentences in their messages or ask for a phone number so they can chat. Scammers tend to write in text speak, make low offers without seeing the car or offer to swap the car for something ridiculous like a quad bike.

On the matter of payment, no need to insist on actual cash. Just get them to pay by bank transfer on their phone. That's what we've done for any sales and purchases in the last few years.