Sell your car: Set the price

Set your car’s price too low and you could lose money – set it too high and it might struggle to sell.

In the first part of our guide to selling your car, we show you five easy ways to set the right price for your car.

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1. Check price guides

Car price guides are a good indication of how much your car is worth, and include up-to-date prices on different model variants.

A quick look at Glass’s guide will tell you:

• How much a dealer will sell the car for
• How much you’ll get in a part exchange deal
• Any fluctuations in the used car market which could affect price

Bear in mind prices calculated in guides tend to be an average rather than a definite amount.

View our step-by-step picture guide to selling your car:

2. Browse car adverts on Auto Trader

A quick look through our car advert listings will help you set the price effectively. Search for your car and find out its current going price.

Take into consideration the mileage, model type and overall condition of your car, and search for adverts with similar aspects.

Browsing adverts is ideal if you’re selling an old or rare car, since these may not be listed in up-to-date price guides.

Consider any extras your car has. Is it a rare model, one in current demand or no longer manufactured? There could be other aspects which may affect the price, such as low mileages, popular colours or sought-after special editions.

3. Do some market research

It’s a good idea to visit car dealers and get an idea of your car's trade-in value – anything you get over this will be a profit.

Don't expect to get a similar price to cars at a dealer forecourt however. They offer warranty, guarantees and other services, so set your price lower for a quick sale. Check out manufacturer websites – some offer online trade price valuations.

You might even want to ask an owners club as some offer valuation services. Enthusiasts may know your car better than you do, and can account for any extras, including your car’s mileage and overall condition.

Bear in mind you may have to pay a fee or become a member first.

4. Understand car depreciation

Depreciation is a term used to explain how a car loses its value over time with some losing value quicker than others. Try and figure out how much your car will be worth in a few years time – if the figure is high, it’s more likely your car will sell.

The cars which lose the least value over time are either the best in their class, highly sought-after or rare.

“If you manage to buy a Ferrari F430 or an Audi R8 today you could sell it tomorrow and make £10,000 or £15,000 profit,” says TV’s used car expert Jason Dawe.

“People will do anything to get them.”

5. Get the best price – advertise on Auto Trader

Auto Trader is the best place to sell - simply because we have the most buyers.

The way you write your advert will also impact on how many responses you receive from buyers. Read our guide on wording your advert for more advice.

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Video: Setting the price

Watch TV’s used car expert Jason Dawe show you how to set the right price for your car:

View our step-by-step picture guide to selling your car

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