There's no single right way to sell a car. Selling privately, trading in, and selling to a buyer like us all have trade-offs. Here's an honest comparison to help you decide what suits you.
Selling privately online
Listing your car yourself — on an online marketplace or classifieds site — puts you in control of the price and the process. Some sellers achieve a higher price this way, particularly for popular cars in good condition.
The trade-offs are time and effort. You'll photograph the car, write the ad, answer messages (many of them not serious), arrange inspections and test drives, and handle negotiation and paperwork. Some sellers are also uncomfortable with strangers visiting their home or driving their car.
Trading in
Trading in is convenient when you're buying another car from a dealer — one transaction, one visit. Trade-in offers on older or high-kilometre cars can vary a lot, and some dealers aren't interested in older vehicles at all.
Selling to a car buyer
Selling directly to a buyer means one conversation with one party. There's no ad to write, no messages to manage, and no test drives with strangers. It can suit owners of older, high-kilometre, unregistered or damaged cars that are harder to sell privately.
The trade-off is that you're comparing fewer offers. It's sensible to know roughly what your car might fetch elsewhere so you can judge any offer you receive.
Questions to help you decide
- How quickly do you need to sell?
- How much time are you willing to spend on the sale?
- Is the car easy to sell privately (registered, running well, popular model)?
- Are you comfortable with strangers inspecting and test-driving the car?
- Do you need to sell before buying another car?
Our approach
We focus on Honda and Mazda vehicles from 2000 to 2013 — including older, high-kilometre and unregistered cars. Enquiring is free and there's no obligation to accept an offer, so it can be one useful data point while you decide.
This guide is general information only, not legal or financial advice. Vehicle values depend on the individual car and market conditions. Check Service NSW for current registration and transfer requirements.
