How to sell your car

As a rule, the first step to getting a new car is to sell the old one. But what is the best way to do this? How much is your old one? What documents are involved? Here we answer these and other questions.

How can I find out the value of my car?

The first thing you need to know if you're considering selling your old car is its value, especially if you want to use that money to pay for a new car. You can check several websites to find out the value of your car by entering its registration number and mileage. Different websites will probably give you different numbers, but they should all be about the same. 

You can get an estimate for your current car from Cazoo. We will provide you with an instant online car valuation with a seven day guarantee and we will not refuse your offer.

What documents do I need to sell a car?

You must make sure that you have all the necessary documents before you can sell your vehicle. Ideally, this should include the vehicle's service book and owner's manual, MOT certificates, garage receipts, and a V5C logbook. These documents can prove to the buyer that the car model, mileage and service history are genuine. 

If you want to sell your Cazoo car, you will need: 

1. Valid red V5C that matches your name, current address and license plates 
2. Valid driver's license with photo or your passport
3. Confirming your vehicle's service history
4. At least one set of car keys
5. Any accessories or parts that came with the vehicle
6. Proof of address, such as a utility bill or bank statement if you're renting a car.

More guides to car financing

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What is vehicle depreciation?

Explaining auto finance jargon

Should I have my car repaired before selling it?

You should always be completely honest when describing the condition of your car to a potential buyer. This includes whether service is required or if there are any faults that require repair. Ideally, you should have your car serviced or repaired before you sell it. This will help you get the best price possible, but be aware that the cost of labor may exceed the cost that will be added to the vehicle.

Even if no maintenance or repairs are needed, it's still worth making your car look its best. A thorough cleaning is time and money well spent.

What happens to road tax when I sell my car?

The road tax on your car (officially known as car excise tax or VED) does not transfer to its new owner when you sell your car. When you submit a vehicle's V5C to the DVLA, any remaining tax on the vehicle will be waived and the new owner will be responsible for paying the tax.

If you have already paid your tax in full, you will receive a refund for any remaining time, and if you are paying by direct debit, payments will automatically stop. 

If you received a new car before the direct debit ended, you cannot transfer the debit to the new car - you need to set up another one.

Should I cancel my insurance when I sell my old car?

You will have to cancel or change your insurance when you sell your car. Many people simply stay with their existing insurer when they get a new car, renewing the policy to reflect the change. However, if you want to switch to a different insurer, you will need to cancel your old policy. 

If you sell your car before the policy expires, you may have to pay a cancellation fee. 

If you are not going to buy a new car, then be sure to cancel the insurance. Be aware that early cancellation of an insurance policy may affect your no-claims discount.

Ways to sell your car

Now that we've covered the basics, let's take a look at some of the ways you can sell a car.

private sale

A private sale is when you advertise and sell your car through an ad on a website, newspaper or magazine, or online auction. You can get a higher price for your car than with other methods, but it can be a hassle. You must take a picture of your car, write a description, and upload everything to your chosen selling platform. 

Once your ad goes on the air, you will need to receive emails and calls from potential buyers, some of which may be more sincere than others. Getting to know the people who come to see and test the car can be a stressful experience, at the end of which they may not offer or offer less than you want. The whole process can take a long time.

Some people choose to sell privately to feel like they have more control over the process. If this is the route you would like to take, present your car as best you can, take lots of photos and write a detailed description that is honest about its condition and includes details of any service/repair. Set a realistic price but expect a potential buyer to haggle!

Part exchange

A partial exchange means using the value of your old car as part of the payment for a new one. This is only available through dealers who will appraise your old car and then, if you agree, effectively buy it from you. Instead of giving you cash, they will deduct this amount from the price of your new car. Learn more about how part replacement works.

With Cazoo it is easy to exchange a car for parts. We will give you a fair price for your old car and we always give you our best price. You can leave your car at one of our customer service centers when you pick up your new car, or we can pick up your old car at the same time that the new car is delivered to your door.

Selling to a dealer or car service

There is a middle ground between selling your old car privately and partly exchanging it at the dealer, which is selling it directly to the dealer or to a car buying service like Cazoo.

Selling your car this way is easy and fast. Take it to the car dealer and it will be a case of price negotiation followed by a little paperwork.

Using an online car buying service can be even easier. You enter your car's registration number and some details and you'll get a score that you can accept or not. 

With Cazoo, selling your car is easy and without bargaining. If you are looking for your next car, there are many high quality Used cars to choose from at Cazoo and now you can get a new or used car with Kazu's subscription. Just use the search feature to find what you like and then buy, fund or subscribe to it online. You can order delivery to your door or pick up in the nearest Cazoo Customer Service Center.

We are constantly updating and expanding our range. If you're looking to buy a used car and can't find the right one today, it's easy set up promotional alerts to be the first to know when we have vehicles that suit your needs.