There are countless places to sell your car on the private market. Whether you want to sell it as-is, part it out, auction it off or scrap it, we guarantee you there's a way to get it off your hands. These are the five best websites to sell your car online in the UK.
Explore the top five websites to sell your car online in the UK in 2023. Maximise your returns, reach a wider audience and sell safely and hassle-free.
5 Best Websites To Sell Your Car Online in the UK (2023 Update)
(Source)
There are tons of reasons you would sell your car online instead of taking it to a dealership. It's the best way to maximise your return and maintain as much control over the process as possible.
But there are a lot of things to consider when doing so. Where to list your car to attract qualified buyers is one of the most important decisions.
To help you cut through the noise, we've prepared a list of the 5 best websites to sell your car online in the UK.
The benefits of selling your car online
When it's time to sell your car, you have a few options.
You could sell the car to a dealership, but they'll take a cut. You can sell to someone in your network, but that requires you to know someone who wants it beforehand (highly unlikely). You might get on a few forums to advertise, but this can be tedious and time-consuming.
Or you can use a website to list your car for sale online.
These are the benefits of doing so:
- A wide audience of buyers. People who shop for cars online don't use forums. They look on websites they know they'll find multiple listings on. When you advertise on a listing site, it'll reach thousands of people. Some of them are bound to reach out.
- Best price for your car. Selling a car online allows you to control the price. You can make sure you get as close to your target as possible and walk away with a deal you can be proud of. Unlike selling to a dealership, you won't have anyone coming in between you and the proceeds of your sale.
- Buyer trust. Reputable car buying and classified sites give your potential buyers the peace of mind they're dealing with someone legitimate. Many sites also allow you to certify your car's condition and add icons that indicate you're a trustworthy seller.
- Manageable contact. You don't have to deal with countless calls or messages from strangers. You can manage your inquiries in one place and reply as needed.
- Easy listing process. Most websites make it very easy to list your car for sale. Anyone can sign up and list their car for sale in a matter of minutes.
- Convenience. When you sell your car online, you won't need to drive to multiple dealers to find an offer you're happy with. The buyers come to you. Some companies even take the car off your hands and handle the payment.
- Unlimited options. Dealerships won't accept every type of car. It needs to be in good condition and have a certain level of desirability. On the right online platform, you can sell a non-running car if you have to. You can even sell a salvage car.
Of course, you'll need to manage the listing yourself. And you might have to set up your own payment. But the truism that "hard work pays off" couldn't be more accurate when it comes to selling your car.
Top online platforms to sell your car
No two car selling platforms are created equal. Depending on your situation, you might want to use a different site than the next person.
That's why we've compiled this list of the 5 best websites to sell your car online in the UK:
1. Car.co.uk — best overall
Our platform makes it easier than ever to sell your second-hand car. You don't even have to list it — just enter some basic information about your car and receive an instant quote.
Our process is simple:
- Navigate to our home page.
- Enter your vehicle registration and postcode.
- Click 'Get Price'.
- Get an offer in 20 seconds.
- Accept the offer you like best and let us collect your car (free of charge!).
- We send you a text notification when we're ready at the pickup location. Same-day or next-day pickup, always.
- We pay you on the spot.
No matter where you live in the UK, you can use our service. Whether you're selling your car for scrap or as a fully functional vehicle, Car.co.uk is the fastest and easiest way to go from ‘unwanted car in your garage’ to ‘money in the bank’.
The hardest parts of selling a car online are preparing your car for sale, photographing it, creating a compelling listing and handling several enquiries at once. If you list it on more than one site to maximise your sales potential, you will also have to juggle different apps and messaging platforms.
Trust us. Getting an instant quote and having us pick it up for free helps you get all the benefits of an online sale while minimising the potential drawbacks. Plus, it’s risk-free!
AutoTrader is the UK's largest and most popular site for selling cars. It's easy to use, offers maximum exposure and allows you to showcase extra details about your vehicle.
With AutoTrader, you have two options:
- List it on its online classified site
- Get an instant offer
Since the AutoTrader platform is so popular and widely respected, we say it's best to go with Option 1.
When you list with AutoTrader, you have a dedicated support team, a user base of millions and an instant online valuation to guide you when pricing your car for sale.
Here’s what the process looks like:
- Enter your registration number and current mileage.
- Describe your car’s condition, features and extras.
- Upload photos of the exterior, interior and noteworthy details.
- Disclose anything out of the ordinary with your car (e.g., "It's missing an MOT certificate").
- Set an asking price.
- Purchase your ad.
- Let the emails and messages roll in.
The main difference between selling to a company like Car.co.uk and listing it on AutoTrader is you're the one responsible for everything. You need to ensure you're available to meet with buyers for inspections and test drives. And you'll create the bill of sale. And, it costs money.
Most people prefer the safety, security and convenience of selling to a company online. But if you're experienced in the car selling process or ready to learn, AutoTrader should be your go-to choice.
3. Gumtree — best place to list your car for free
Gumtree is the beloved online classified site UK residents use to buy and sell everything from furniture to cars. Like AutoTrader, you can sell your van, car or motorbike on the site.
Unlike AutoTrader, Gumtree is a free listing site. For anyone who wants to maximise the scope of their online car sales without paying a cent, Gumtree should be the first site you use.
The process is easy:
- Create an account (or sign in, if you already have one).
- Navigate to the 'Cars & Vehicles' section of the site.
- Enter your vehicle's registration number.
- Gumtree will automatically populate the basic information for your car.
- Add details about the vehicle's features, condition and extras.
- Upload photos of your car from all angles.
- Post your ad.
- Buyers will email you, message you or reach out on WhatsApp.
On this platform, potential sellers can find your ad and contact you. You'll handle everything from there — writing up a bill of sale, meeting for test drives and accepting payment.
The downside is that Gumtree's reach isn't as big as AutoTrader's. Since Gumtree is also focused on second-hand items besides cars, it's less targeted than the other online car selling sites.
4. Facebook Marketplace — best place to part out your car
Facebook Marketplace is a good place to sell your car privately because it helps you tap into local buyers. The majority of people who use Facebook Marketplace live within a few miles of your listed location. Many will be able to arrange a pickup on the same day.
If you're selling a car that's in excellent condition, you probably won't find the best offer here. People tend to treat Facebook Marketplace like a digital flea market — tons of haggling, unserious offers and lowballing.
But if you're parting out your car or selling a damaged car, Facebook Marketplace could work in your favour. You can post each part individually for sale and quickly connect with people who are interested in buying them.
This is the step-by-step process for creating a Facebook Marketplace listing:
- Open up the Facebook app or open Facebook.com on your web browser.
- Navigate to 'Marketplace'.
- Tap '+ Create new listing'.
- Select 'Vehicle for Sale'
- Enter your vehicle details, upload photos and post it for sale.
- Respond to interested buyers via Facebook Messenger.
- Accept payment and complete the transaction.
Facebook Marketplace is an easy platform if you want to make some quick money for your car without too much hassle. It's also great if you just want to part out your vehicle, as it brings in more
The main drawback to Facebook Marketplace is it's a lot less formal. There are plenty of legitimate buyers on the platform. But due to its accessibility, there are also a good deal of car selling scams to be mindful of.
Common sense goes a long way on Facebook Marketplace. If you're able to sniff out dodgy situations and negotiate effectively, it's by far the best place to list a car (or its parts) that would otherwise be hard to sell.
5. eBay Motors — best place to auction your car
eBay Motors is the happy medium between an online classified and Facebook Marketplace. It's more formal than Facebook and less rigid than an online classified platform.
On eBay Motors, you can auction off your car or list it as a buy-it-now item. This gives you more control over the sale process and helps prevent lowballing.
Also, since eBay has a history of being an excellent avenue for selling cars in the UK, buyers tend to be serious on this platform. You won't get as many scammers or people looking for a quick deal.
Creating an eBay Motors listing is straightforward:
- Create a free account on eBay (or sign in if you already have one).
- Click 'Sell'.
- Type "car" when eBay prompts you to tell them what you're selling.
- Select the corresponding categories for your car.
- Use eBay's clickable tools to help you curate a listing for your vehicle.
- List the details about your car, including its features, condition and extras.
- Upload photos of the vehicle from all angles.
- Set a start price or an opening bid on your auction listing (optional).
- Choose whether you want to list it as a buy-it-now item or an auction item.
- Submit the listing and wait for offers to come in.
- Finalise payment and complete the sale.
eBay Motors is perfect if you're looking for a less-invasive way of selling your car without sacrificing any of the details or photos that make it stand out. It also processes payments for you, which is a huge plus.
With proper timing and a bit of luck, you might even be able to sell your car for a higher price on eBay Motors (if multiple people enter a bidding war).
The downside to eBay Motors is the fees. You'll have to pay a listing fee (£19.99 for a classified ad or £14.99 for fixed price/auction-style). You will also pay 1% of the final transaction with a maximum of £45.
Is it safe to sell my car online?
Yes. Selling your car online is safe, but you need to exercise common sense.
When you list your car online, there will always be the risk of car selling scams. An "interested buyer" may send you an email or DM offering to provide you with a seller in exchange for a fee. Scammers may also advertise your car on other sites without your knowledge.
Payments are also a concern when selling your car online. On the private market, people buy cars with cash. So there is always the potential risk of a bounced cheque or payment with counterfeit notes.
You can avoid these risks by taking steps to protect yourself. Don't disclose your car's details or the associated documents until you receive payment. Only accept cash payments in person, and carry out the transaction at a bank to have them verify the authenticity on the spot.
The best way to protect yourself is to use a reputable buyer like Car.co.uk. On our platform, you won't have to worry about shoddy deals or buyers who want to dodge the paperwork. We'll pay you upfront and take the car for you.
Wrapping up
Dozens of online platforms are available to you, and there are plenty of specialist ones we didn't mention. There are endless nuances when it comes to selling your car online.
If you're listing a classic, for example, it would be a good idea to check out our guide to selling a classic car before finding the best platform to do so.
Regardless, the key takeaway here is to do your research before listing. For most, the five websites we listed above are the best places to start if you need an easy and safe way to sell your car online in the UK.
Want to learn more? These are the questions our buyers ask us the most.
Can I sell my car online if I still have an outstanding loan on it?
You cannot sell a financed car in the UK. You must first settle your outstanding balance with your lending institution. Once that's done, you then use any of the websites we discussed here to list and sell your car. If you decide to sell the car with outstanding finance on it, your lender can pursue criminal charges.
How long does it usually take to sell a car online?
That depends on where you're listing it and what condition your vehicle is in. On Car.co.uk, you can arrange a same-day pickup and see your bank balance updated later that day. If you choose to list your vehicle on a classified site or marketplace, you should expect it to take at least a few days.
What should I do if someone is interested in buying my car online?
If someone contacts you expressing interest in your vehicle, you can invite them to inspect it. You can also offer video tours or send more photos so they can get a better idea of what they're buying. If the buyer is genuinely interested, they'll accept your request.
Once the buyer has seen your car and decided they like it, you can start to negotiate a good price. For more information on what to do at this point, check out our guide on how to sell your car privately in the UK.
Can I change the price of my car after listing it online?
You can (and sometimes should) change the price of your car after listing it online. Base your decision to raise or lower the price on the attention your listing has been getting and the type of offers you're receiving. If you notice others selling their cars while yours gets no traction, it's a sign your price is different from the market's.
How do I handle test drives and inspections for online car sales?
Test drives are a must when selling your car online. They give the buyer an opportunity to get familiar with the vehicle and make sure it's as advertised. You should sit in the passenger's seat when the buyer drives your car, and offer to turn the ignition yourself. Never let go of the keys. Before they get into your car, ask them for valid ID and proof of Driving Other Cars cover. Photograph both pieces of information for your protection and theirs.
