Where can I sell my car

Selling Your Car

Trying to sell a car in Australia can be daunting, especially if you do not like to negotiate. However, when it comes to the process of selling your vehicle, many options are available to you. In this article, you will discover information that will guide you through the choices you can explore when you want to sell your car in Australia.

Where To Sell Cars In Australia

Online Car Forums

Some cars belong to a particular niche, and finding a fair resale value in the market can be difficult. They're certainly worth more than a daily driver, but they're not nearly (yet) considered a classic capable of commanding high pricing. If you have a car similar to this, the best place to look to sell them is on an online forum where you can meet like-minded and fellow car enthusiasts who understand the value of such kinds of cars and are willing to match the price you are asking for.

This can be a challenging way to sell your car because it means that you have to get a buyer who is also searching for the kind of car you are selling and is also willing to match your asking price.  Another challenge with online car forums is logistics. You could be in Sydney, and the only buyer interested in your car is in Adelaide, which could be a big obstacle.

However, there is always a way out. Most buyers in this category are very optimistic and are willing to travel all the way down to check out the car and discuss further details about the transaction.

Australian Car Shows

If you have unique or rare cars, you can explore the option of selling them at a car show. However, you will have to always bear in mind that only a tiny fraction of Australians do go to car shows to look for a car. Therefore, before choosing to sell at a car show, be sure that your car is unique or rare and capable of attracting a buyer's attention at first sight.

Even with these challenges, car shows are sometimes the best place to sell certain types of rare cars. For example, if you have a Mercedes you want to sell classified as a vintage car, you can take advantage of a car show celebrating the history of Mercedes in Australia to find buyers for the vehicle. Such occasions will surely attract many fans of the Mercedes brand, and some will be interested in buying your car to have their own slice of history.

It is essential to state here that not all car shows accept cars from individuals to be listed for sale, so always cross-check with the organisers. Also, when going to the car show, make sure you go with all the necessary documentation, including roadworthiness certificates, as some prospective buyers may be interested in driving it around for testing.

Car Buying Sites

This is the easiest and most preferred place for many Australians to sell a car. Car buying sites are preferred for many reasons. First, it saves you from the agony of negotiation, which can be stressful for some people. Again, most of these sites, especially the good ones, get thousands of visitors every day.

The disadvantage of selling here is the competition. There are over 19 million vehicles registered for sales on these sites, and ensuring yours stands out can be a bit challenging. The implication is that your listing can stay for a very long time before getting any attention or may not even get any attention at all.

If you decide to go this route when selling your car, you must go the extra mile to ensure that your listing stands out. This includes using a high-quality picture and a comprehensive description of the vehicle. Also, ensure you respond to all enquiries on time.

Some Popular Car Buying Sites In Australia

Quik Car Buyers

Quik Car Buyers make it super straightforward to sell your car. All you are required to do is enter your car's details into the Quik System. An alert is then sent to their in-house car-buying consultant. They instantly share and connect your vehicle with their extensive car buying network across Australia.

They will get in touch with you for a friendly chat about your location and a few extra details on your car. These details include things such as general condition, any added accessories, tyre tread, service history, etc. You can then leave it with them to organise a certified buyer.

CarSales

This is Australia's largest online listings site for used automobiles, with 196,974 used cars at the time of writing. Trucks, trailers, and motorcycles are also listed on the site.

CarsGuide

CarsGuide allows you to market your current vehicle for sale for free or by purchasing a Premium Ad package. A free ad permits you to include three images and a brief description of your car, but for AUD 15, you can upgrade to a Premium Photo Ad, which increases the photo limit to 20.

For an additional AUD 15, you can purchase the Featured Ad Listed, which maintains your ad listing near the top of the website page for seven days. However, you should read the small print before joining up because there is no disclosure on the CarsGuide website of whether they take a percentage of a successful car sale, which could cost you more than simply advertising expenses.

Drive

Like most renowned auto websites, Drive helps car owners sell their unwanted car to make room in the garage. To sell your automobile through Drive, fill out the form on the website with information on the vehicle you want to sell. Drive will then connect you with a registered partner who will propose a price, which you can accept or reject and negotiate.

Once you've decided on a price, the certified partner will handle the entire sale. This includes how to deliver your car to the buyer and how the money will be transmitted. Drive also provides a free car valuation to give you an idea of how much money you're working with. Still, it doesn't outline any selling fees involved in the process, so it's best to iron this out during the negotiation phase to avoid any surprises.

Trade Your Car

While the name implies a trade element, Trade Your Car focuses particularly on buying your car. However, Trade Your Car wants to distinguish itself from the rest of the crowd by offering to purchase your car from you on the spot with cash, which may be beneficial if you need to sell a car urgently.

Simply schedule a valuation and inspection online, and a representative will travel to you or meet you at a Trade Your Car site to assess the vehicle and begin discussions. If you agree to the price, they'll pay you immediately and handle all the ownership paperwork, letting you hand over the keys and walk away. However, you can arrange a value and sell later if you need to keep your ride for a few more weeks.

AutoTrader

AutoTrader collaborates with CarsGuide to assist motorists in selling their cars by increasing visibility, and they provide a free ad listing for you to use. After you enter your car's details into the site, Autotrader generates a portion of your ad for you and gives you a recommended selling price based on your information and what other cars are currently listed for sale on the website.

If you want to make your car stand out even more, you can purchase a paid ad package; however, the ultimate price will be determined by how much you're selling your car for, so check the fine print when buying ad space, as the fees can rapidly add up.

Specialist Dealership

If you have a unique car, you should take it to a specialist dealer shop. Although it is possible to go through traditional car dealership sales, an expert dealer will leverage his past experience of selling similar cars and will more than likely offer you a better deal for your vehicle.

Car Manufacturer

Last but not least, you can also sell your car at your car manufacturer's shop. For instance, if you bought the car you want to sell from a local dealership and want to purchase a newer model, then the best place to sell the existing vehicle is where you bought it.

This is because they know you, the car model, the history of the transaction, and everything about you as a former customer. Again, if you are looking at using the money gained from the sales to fund the purchase of another model, it will be easier to do a trade-in transaction.

Different Ways To Sell Your Car

Consignment

Selling a car by consignment means handing over the vehicle to a dealership that will sell the car and then remit the payment to you. One of the biggest worries that most individuals have when selling their car in Australia is making sure you are dealing with a genuine person instead of a scammer. This is why selling by consignment has become one of the most popular ways to sell cars offline.

• Pro - The car is sold for you, so you don't have to worry about negotiation and dealing with time wasters and scammers.

• Con - You don't get the best price as the sellers take some commission after the transaction.

Trade-In

Selling a car via trade-in involves swapping your existing car for a new one and paying off the balance. For instance, if you want to sell your old car and buy a new one, you can approach a car seller who will value your current vehicle against the price of the car you want and ask you to pay the balance.

So, if you want a new car that costs AUD 35,000 and the value of your existing car is AUD 9,000, you will be asked to pay the balance of AUD 26,000.

• Pro - Best way to sell your car fast.

• Con - Most times, the car dealer will value your existing vehicle less than what you will get if you decide to sell it privately.

Auction

As the name suggests, selling a car by auction simply involves advertising the car, asking for bids, and choosing the highest bidder. Selling cars by auction is often associated with government agencies, organisations, and corporations who, from time to time, dispose of their old fleet of vehicles.

That being said, this doesn't necessarily mean that individuals cannot sell their cars through this means. If you want a quick sale of your car and are open to a new experience, selling by auction is a good option, especially for vehicles proving too difficult to sell privately.

• Pro - The process is swift and easy, and there is no need to negotiate with buyers.

• Con - You may be charged entry fees and may not always get the best price.

Private Sale

This is the primary method of selling and buying cars. This process involves transferring the ownership of a vehicle from one individual to another. Moreover, this is done without the aid of a third party.

• Pro - This is the best way to get the best price for your car.

• Con - You have to handle all the transaction processes, including advertising, receiving phone calls from prospective buyers, scheduling vehicle inspections, dealing with time wasters, etc.

Selling Your Car Shouldn't Be Hard!

With the influence of technology on almost every business today, selling and buying cars in Australia has become more accessible in recent times. There are many companies that you can submit your car's details, and they will offer you an instant price for your vehicle.

The best part of it is that you submit these details on their website from the comfort of your home, and they will respond within a few hours with a price. So, you don't have to worry about negotiating or losing your car to a scammer. However, if going through the lengthy process of selling your car privately, you can always consider reputable car dealerships to assist you.