Available Car's guide to selling your used car in the UK

While a private sale may seem like a way to get the highest price for your used car, it often comes with significant challenges and risks. From advertising and meeting with strangers to handling negotiations and paperwork, the process can be time-consuming and stressful.

Why Selling to AvailableCar is a Smarter Choice

• Convenience and Speed: At AvailableCar, we make selling your car fast and hassle-free. No need to create listings, take photos, or manage viewings — just bring your car to us, and we’ll handle the rest.

• Fair and Transparent Valuation: Our experts will provide a competitive valuation based on your car's market value, with no need for stressful negotiations.

• Secure Payment: We offer secure, immediate payment, so you don’t have to worry about scams, bounced payments, or awkward cash exchanges.

• No Hidden Costs: We handle all the paperwork, saving you time and ensuring a smooth, stress-free process.

The Downsides of Private Sales

• Time-Consuming: Listing, meeting potential buyers, and negotiating take time.

• Trust Issues: Meeting strangers and dealing with payment security can be risky.

• Paperwork Hassles: You’ll need to manage all the legal documentation yourself.

• Uncertain Price: Potential buyers may try to negotiate aggressively.

When you sell to AvailableCar, you skip the stress and uncertainty of a private sale. Our professional team ensures a smooth, secure, and straightforward selling process.

If you're thinking about selling your car, you've probably come across car-buying websites. These platforms promise a quick and convenient way to sell your vehicle by providing an instant quote after you enter your car's details. But are they the best option? Let’s take a closer look at how these sites work and why selling your car to AvailableCar can be a smarter choice.

Most car-buying websites follow a similar process:

1. Enter Your Car Details: You provide information such as your registration number, mileage, service history, and any accident history.

2. Receive an Instant Quote: Based on the information you provide, the site gives you an initial valuation.

3. Arrange Collection or Drop-Off: You can choose to drop off your car at a specified location or have it collected.

Benefits:

• Speed of Sale: Get an instant offer without the need for private buyers.

• Convenience: No need for advertising or handling buyer negotiations.

• No Admin Fees: Some sites claim to have no hidden costs.

• Finance Settled: If you owe money on your car, many sites will handle the settlement.

Drawbacks:

• Convenience Trade-Off: The ease of selling quickly may mean offers are based on a fair market assessment rather than speculative pricing.

• Accuracy Matters: Your quote may be adjusted if the vehicle's condition doesn't match your description.

Why AvailableCar is a Better Way to Sell:

• At AvailableCar, we make selling your car easier, faster, and more transparent.

• Instant Online Valuation: Get a free, instant quote for your car, valid for 7 days.

• Hassle-Free Process: No admin fees, no haggling, just a fair price.

• Convenient Collection and Drop-Off: Choose what works best for you.

• Outstanding Finance Settled: We take care of any remaining finance on your vehicle.

Ready to Sell? Choose AvailableCar

Don’t settle for less when selling your car. With AvailableCar, you get a fair, fast, and convenient way to sell your vehicle. Get your instant online valuation now and enjoy a hassle-free selling experience.

While auctions can provide a quick way to sell your car, they come with uncertainty, fees, and a lack of control over the final price. At AvailableCar, we offer a more secure, straightforward, and transparent alternative.

Why Selling to AvailableCar is a Smarter Choice

• Guaranteed Sale: With AvailableCar, once you accept our offer, your car is sold — no need to worry about reserve prices or unsold vehicles.

• Fair, Transparent Valuation: Our experts will value your car accurately, ensuring you get a competitive offer without the pressure of last-minute bidding wars.

• No Hidden Fees: Unlike auctions that take a commission, our process is completely transparent — the price we offer is the amount you receive.

• Speed and Simplicity: No need to wait for a specific auction date or compete for attention. Simply bring your car to us, and we’ll handle everything from valuation to payment.

• Secure, Immediate Payment: Avoid the uncertainty of waiting for auction payments. At AvailableCar, you receive your money directly and securely.

The Downsides of Auctions

• No Guaranteed Sale: Your car may not sell if it doesn’t meet the reserve price.

• Additional Fees: Commissions and listing fees can reduce your final payout.

• Price Uncertainty: The final price depends entirely on buyer interest on the day.

• Limited Buyers: Your car is only exposed to those attending that specific auction.

At AvailableCar, you avoid these risks and enjoy a fast, secure, and hassle-free way to sell your car.

Part exchange is a long-standing option that lets you trade in your old car as part of the purchase price for a new or used vehicle from a dealership. This way, you’re selling your old car and buying a replacement in a single transaction.

You can also part exchange a car with outstanding finance. In this case, the dealer will settle the remaining finance balance and deduct that amount from the price offered for your vehicle.

At AvailableCar, we make it easy to sell and replace your vehicle in one smooth process – saving you time, hassle, and stress.

1. One simple, convenient transaction
Skip the hassle of selling your car privately. With a part exchange, you can hand over your current car and drive away in your next one – all on the same day.

2. Outstanding service, no obligation
We offer a free, no-obligation valuation for your car. You’re in control, with a dedicated team to guide you through the process clearly and transparently.

3. Yes – even if your car is on finance!
We can help settle any existing finance agreements as part of your part exchange. Just bring your settlement letter, and we’ll handle the rest.

4. A hassle-free, safe alternative to private selling
No advertising costs, no waiting around for viewings, and no dealing with time-wasters. Just a straightforward, secure transaction.

What is our Part-Exchange Price Promise?

At Available Car, we believe in offering our customers the best value for their vehicles. That's why we have our Part Exchange Price Promise – We are committed to beating any like-for-like quote, ensuring you get the most value when trading in your vehicle.

1. Best Price Guarantee:
We promise to beat any like-for-like part exchange quote, so you always receive the most competitive offer.Your valuation is guaranteed for 7 days from the data and time your received in on our website.

2. Hassle-Free Process:
Trading in your car has never been easier. Simply bring your vehicle to one of our locations, and our friendly team will inspect your vehicle and handle the rest.

3. Transparent and Honest:
We pride ourselves on our transparency. Our valuation process is clear and straightforward, with no hidden fees or last-minute deductions. You’ll know exactly what your car is worth from the start.

Whether you’re reluctant to part with your car or focused on getting the best sale, how you prepare it can significantly impact its value.

Here, we outline the best steps to ready your car for sale and maximise its price.

Making sure you have maintained a comprehensive service history for your car, can signal to prospective buyers that the vehicle has been well looked after in your care. 

Make sure you have all of your servicing documents in order which will give viewers the full picture, informing them of any oil changes, tyre rotations and repairs that have been carried out.

Additional documentation is essential in the car selling process are:

• The V5C logbook.

• The owner’s manual.

• Servicing paperwork.

• Purchase receipts for parts and labour.

• MOT certificates.

• Warranty and insurance paperwork.

Of all the documents listed above, the V5C logbook is the most important. If you do find it is missing, it can significantly reduce your car’s value. Therefore, we strongly recommend ordering a replacement from the DVLA.

There are numerous tips and tricks you can do to help improve the look of your vehicle and boost its sales value. From the unusual to the standard, we’ve gathered our top recommendations to help make a great impression on potential buyers.

Remove scratches with toothpaste

Toothpaste can be surprisingly effective for removing minor surface scratches on your car, as its mild abrasiveness works well on scratches that haven’t penetrated the paint and only affect the clear coat.

Before applying toothpaste, wash the car with mild soap and use a microfiber cloth to remove any dirt and debris around the scratch. Apply a pea-sized amount of whitening (non-gel) toothpaste onto a clean, soft cloth, and gently rub it into the scratch or scuff mark in a circular motion. Once the blemish fades, buff the area with a clean, dry cloth.

Toothpaste helps polish the rough surface and fills in minor scratches, effectively removing paint marks from other surfaces without damaging the car’s clear coat.

Use WD-40 for stubborn stickers and sap 

While personalised stickers are a great way to make your vehicle recognisable to you, prospective buyers may be less inclined to want them. Similarly, if you have left your car parked under a tree, it’s likely you have a stubborn sticky sap on your vehicle.

WD-40 works well to dissolve adhesives and sticky residues, like old stickers or tree sap. Simply spray a small amount onto the sticky area, let it sit for a minute, then gently rub or scrape it off with a soft cloth.

Remove bird droppings with baking soda

Like tree sap, some marks can be tough to remove, and a car covered in bird droppings isn’t likely to attract many buyers.

A simple solution of baking soda and hot water can effectively tackle this common stain. In a spray bottle, mix warm or hot water with four tablespoons of baking soda. Shake well, spray onto any dried stains, and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse with a hose, and repeat if needed.

Apply peanut butter to your faded black trim 

Black plastic trim is a common feature on modern cars, but it can fade over time due to sun exposure, weather, wear and tear, and certain cleaning products.

To restore your car’s black trim, you can use a dedicated black trim restorer to bring back its original gloss and colour. 

Alternatively, smooth peanut butter can work well due to its natural oils. Simply rub a small amount onto the trim, let it sit for a few minutes, then buff it off with a clean cloth and rinse away any residue.

Use dish soap to clean your windows

Streaky windows can detract from your car's appearance, impact its value, and pose a potential safety hazard.

An unexpected solution for streaky windows is a mixture of dish soap with warm water or white vinegar. Add a few drops of soap to the water or vinegar in a spray bottle, then dampen a sponge and gently rub it over the glass.

Baking soda is another effective option for removing stains and scuffs. You can sprinkle it on a wet cloth or mix it with water to create a paste, then apply it to the stained areas using a sponge.

To prevent streaks, wash your windows on an overcast or cloudy day, as direct sunlight can dry the glass too quickly and lead to streaking.

Clean your cup holders 

Cup holders are often among the dirtiest and stickiest areas of your car's interior. It's important to clean them regularly to prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria, especially before selling your vehicle.

For removable plastic cup holders, soak them in soapy water, rinse thoroughly, and dry them off. If your cup holders aren't removable, use warm, soapy water and a brush to clean the hard-to-reach spots.

Eliminate odours with charcoal

Whether you’re a dog owner, a smoker, or your car has experienced periods of dampness, unpleasant odours can be a significant turnoff for potential buyers.

Fortunately, there are several simple hacks to eliminate these odours. One low-effort solution is to place pieces of charcoal in a shallow dish and leave them in your car overnight. Charcoal acts as a natural deodoriser, effectively trapping and neutralising bad smells.

Another handy method involves sprinkling baking soda on fabric surfaces like car seats and floor mats and letting it sit for at least 15 minutes. This can help remove odours from food, pets, and spills, but be cautious, as it can damage leather upholstery.

Use a rubber glove to gather any pet hair 

While hoovering the inside of your car is another cleaning essential, some hairs can be tougher to remove. 

Pet hair can be particularly stubborn to remove, so using a wet rubber glove can in fact be a better solution to the vacuum. 

Rubber gloves can create static, which helps pull pet hair off seats and carpets. Wear the glove and rub your hand over the surface. The hair will cling to the glove, making it easier to collect.

Clear out personal items

When selling a car, clearing out personal items is a crucial step that ensures the vehicle appears clean, spacious, and ready for its new owner. 

Start by thoroughly removing all belongings from the glove compartment, centre console, and door pockets, including any paperwork, electronics, and loose change. Don’t forget less obvious areas like under the seats, the trunk, and storage compartments. 

It’s also a good idea to take out personal touches, such as bumper stickers, air fresheners, and custom seat covers, which can help potential buyers visualise the car as their own. 

Fixing current issues

Addressing any existing problems before selling a car is essential because it not only increases the vehicle's value but also builds trust with potential buyers. Buyers are more likely to negotiate a lower price if they notice any issues, so fixing them upfront can save you from significant price reductions and help sell the car faster.

Replace faulty lights, repair dents and address any other issues that could potentially become a blocker to your sale.

If there are less than three months left on your MOT, it is recommended that you get a new one. Getting a new MOT not only shows that the car is safe and road-legal, but it also demonstrates to buyers that you’ve taken care of the vehicle and are confident in its condition.

Lastly, ensure that your tyres are not worn or show any signs of damage. New or well-maintained tyres give the impression of a car that has been properly cared for, which can help build trust with buyers.