How do I get the best Cash price for my car?

DublinHead54

Registered User
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Hi,

I have little experience when it comes to selling and exchanging cars and I don't want to do a private sale. I would like to understand the options to get the highest value for my car. I don't want to do a part exchange, as I am planning on importing a car from the UK. I assume that this will lower the value dealers will offer as they aren't going to make a sale as well. Are there specialist dealers / wholesalers to approach when only wanting a cash price?

For reference, I believe the car would be marketed by a dealer for around 18k based on similar models on Carzone, the car is a 171 with ~40,000kms. Is there a rough rule of thumb for the dealer purchase price vs sale price? i.e. 18k car dealer would offer 12k?

Cheers
 
I don't want to do a private sale.

Why not? It's not a difficult process and you'll gain extra thousands this way?

A dealer will give you minimum price... fine if you want a quick sale and if you want to lose out on thousands.

I've sold via DoneDeal and always got cash into my hand or into my account before I parted with what I was selling.
 
Why not? It's not a difficult process and you'll gain extra thousands this way?

A dealer will give you minimum price... fine if you want a quick sale and if you want to lose out on thousands.

I've sold via DoneDeal and always got cash into my hand or into my account before I parted with what I was selling.

Mainly because I have not done it before, and didn't want to go through the process of understanding it. Obviously, if there is a huge difference between a dealer price and private that would change things.
 
It's not as daunting as you think.

When you agree a price, they pay you and when you are satisfied, you fill in the new owner's details on the Registration Cert, sign it and you post it off to Shannon. Buyer doesn't get near the document.

Show car in a safe, neutral venue. Don't allow the prospective buyer to go on an unaccompanied test drive... be aware that they need to be properly insured to do so. Me, I'd drive the car in a large car park, with them accompanying me.

On the flip side... your car is a 171, so a dealer would be interested for a cash buy. You will take a hit but if they are happy they'll issue you with a cheque immediately.

If you bought new, did you ask the dealer if they'd take it off you?

I sold a car back to the main dealer I bought from once.. It was 2 years old at the time. I took a big enough hit on it but I wanted it gone as quickly as possible.

Bottom line, selling your car... you'll take a hit whatever way you go... if you're willing to take a big hit, then chance a dealer.

Don't tell them you want to buy an import.... spin a yarn.
 
It's not as daunting as you think.

When you agree a price, they pay you and when you are satisfied, you fill in the new owner's details on the Registration Cert, sign it and you post it off to Shannon. Buyer doesn't get near the document.

Show car in a safe, neutral venue. Don't allow the prospective buyer to go on an unaccompanied test drive... be aware that they need to be properly insured to do so. Me, I'd drive the car in a large car park, with them accompanying me.

On the flip side... your car is a 171, so a dealer would be interested for a cash buy. You will take a hit but if they are happy they'll issue you with a cheque immediately.

If you bought new, did you ask the dealer if they'd take it off you?

I sold a car back to the main dealer I bought from once.. It was 2 years old at the time. I took a big enough hit on it but I wanted it gone as quickly as possible.

Bottom line, selling your car... you'll take a hit whatever way you go... if you're willing to take a big hit, then chance a dealer.

Don't tell them you want to buy an import.... spin a yarn.

Thanks Paddy
 
Show car in a safe, neutral venue. Don't allow the prospective buyer to go on an unaccompanied test drive... be aware that they need to be properly insured to do so. Me, I'd drive the car in a large car park, with them accompanying me.


Good advice there, except I disagree with what I quoted above.

I know I would not ( and I suspect most people) buy a car from an unknown person after meeting them at a neutral venue, for many reasons, not least, do they even own the car. Being in possession of a VRC pertinent to the vehicle proves nothing. At their house at least the addresses should match.

Also most potential buyers will not be happy with being taken for a short spin around a car park and will, understandably, want to drive it themselves.
 
Try publicise on social media to friends or maybe friends of friends, or in private chats. You'll be less likely to get time wasters.

I bought my last car from a neighbour. He got a better price than on a trade-in. I was confident that it was in good condition as you wouldn't sell something with problems to someone you see every few days.

It worked out very well.
 
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