Advice
What can you do if your car is not selling? (2025 update)
If your car isn’t generating as much interest as you would like, there are two things that it’s really easy to change – and they’re almost certainly the two things that buyers look at first in any advert.
Words by: Andrew Woodhouse
Last updated on 2 October 2025 | 0 min read
Selling a car can sometimes take longer than expected. Maybe you’ve had plenty of views but no calls, or perhaps your advert has been live for weeks with little to no interest. Don’t worry, it happens to many sellers.
The good news is there are several ways to make your listing more appealing, reach the right buyers, and ultimately get the deal done. Here are 10 proven strategies to help your car sell faster.
The good news is there are several ways to make your listing more appealing, reach the right buyers, and ultimately get the deal done. Here are 10 proven strategies to help your car sell faster.
Check your asking price
Pricing is the number one reason most cars don’t sell. Even if your car feels special to you, buyers will compare it against hundreds of similar listings.
• Get a free, data-driven valuation: Use Autotrader’s free car valuation tool powered by millions of daily data points. • Benchmark against similar models: Search for the same make, model, and age on Auto Trader to see how your car compares. • Understand why some are cheaper: Lower-priced cars may have higher mileage, more owners, or damage – so don’t drop your price unnecessarily. It may be that your car is listed at a higher price when compared to similar cars in the market. To know how to correctly price your car, head to Autotrader’s car search and filter it by the same make and model to see how your car’s price compares to the others. If your advert has had lots of views but no enquiries, lowering the price slightly can often generate immediate leads.
• Get a free, data-driven valuation: Use Autotrader’s free car valuation tool powered by millions of daily data points. • Benchmark against similar models: Search for the same make, model, and age on Auto Trader to see how your car compares. • Understand why some are cheaper: Lower-priced cars may have higher mileage, more owners, or damage – so don’t drop your price unnecessarily. It may be that your car is listed at a higher price when compared to similar cars in the market. To know how to correctly price your car, head to Autotrader’s car search and filter it by the same make and model to see how your car’s price compares to the others. If your advert has had lots of views but no enquiries, lowering the price slightly can often generate immediate leads.
Upgrade your photos
Car buyers shop with their eyes. Strong images can make your listing stand out and build trust.
Make sure your car is clean and tidy, and follow the golden rules once it’s ready to be photographed: • Shoot in daylight – but avoid harsh midday sun. • Choose a clean, distraction-free background (no bins, no clutter). • Capture every angle: front, rear, sides, interior, boot, wheels. • Highlight unique features: sat nav, heated seats, panoramic roof, etc. • Pick a strong lead image: front corner, showing both grille and side profile. Consider adding a short walkaround video, as buyers increasingly expect one.
Make sure your car is clean and tidy, and follow the golden rules once it’s ready to be photographed: • Shoot in daylight – but avoid harsh midday sun. • Choose a clean, distraction-free background (no bins, no clutter). • Capture every angle: front, rear, sides, interior, boot, wheels. • Highlight unique features: sat nav, heated seats, panoramic roof, etc. • Pick a strong lead image: front corner, showing both grille and side profile. Consider adding a short walkaround video, as buyers increasingly expect one.
Write a description that sells
A bland description can kill interest. Go beyond the basics and tell the car’s story:
• Mileage, ownership history, and service record. • Any recent maintenance or upgrades. • Why it’s a great buy compared to others (low mileage, one owner, excellent condition). • Be honest about any issues – transparency builds trust. If you’re stuck for what to put, just think like a buyer: what would reassure you if you were scrolling through hundreds of listings?
• Mileage, ownership history, and service record. • Any recent maintenance or upgrades. • Why it’s a great buy compared to others (low mileage, one owner, excellent condition). • Be honest about any issues – transparency builds trust. If you’re stuck for what to put, just think like a buyer: what would reassure you if you were scrolling through hundreds of listings?
Prepare the car before listing
Think of your advert as a shop window: if the product doesn’t look its best, buyers will simply keep scrolling. A spotless, well-presented car signals that it’s been looked after.
• Give it a proper clean inside and out. A £20 valet can make a £200 difference in how buyers perceive your car. Hoover under the seats, wipe down plastics, and polish the paintwork so it gleams in photos. • Sort out the little jobs. Worn tyres, broken bulbs, or missing trim pieces can be red flags that make buyers wonder what else has been neglected. Fixing them before listing shows care and attention. • Get your paperwork in order. A full MOT certificate, stamped service book, and receipts for work done can reassure buyers your car has been well maintained — and make them more willing to pay your asking price.
• Give it a proper clean inside and out. A £20 valet can make a £200 difference in how buyers perceive your car. Hoover under the seats, wipe down plastics, and polish the paintwork so it gleams in photos. • Sort out the little jobs. Worn tyres, broken bulbs, or missing trim pieces can be red flags that make buyers wonder what else has been neglected. Fixing them before listing shows care and attention. • Get your paperwork in order. A full MOT certificate, stamped service book, and receipts for work done can reassure buyers your car has been well maintained — and make them more willing to pay your asking price.
Consider the timing
The time of year can have a big impact on demand.
• Convertibles sell better in spring and summer, when the sun’s out and buyers start dreaming of top-down driving. • SUVs and 4x4s tend to get more interest before winter, when families and commuters start worrying about icy roads. • Electric vehicles and hybrids are hot topics right now, especially as more ULEZ zones appear across UK cities.
• Convertibles sell better in spring and summer, when the sun’s out and buyers start dreaming of top-down driving. • SUVs and 4x4s tend to get more interest before winter, when families and commuters start worrying about icy roads. • Electric vehicles and hybrids are hot topics right now, especially as more ULEZ zones appear across UK cities.
Highlight the things that matter to buyers
Car buyers are more cost-conscious than ever, and increasingly worried about regulations and emissions. So your advert should answer their questions before they even ask.
• Fuel efficiency: quote realistic mpg figures. • Running costs: highlight tax band and insurance group. • Clean air compliance: make it clear if your car meets ULEZ standards. • Electric and hybrid details: include battery range, charging time, cable type, and whether it comes with a home charger. The more transparent you are, the more confidence buyers will have that your car is the right fit for them.
• Fuel efficiency: quote realistic mpg figures. • Running costs: highlight tax band and insurance group. • Clean air compliance: make it clear if your car meets ULEZ standards. • Electric and hybrid details: include battery range, charging time, cable type, and whether it comes with a home charger. The more transparent you are, the more confidence buyers will have that your car is the right fit for them.
Refresh your advert regularly
An advert that never changes quickly blends into the background. Regular tweaks can bring it back to life.
• Swap your lead photo, sometimes a fresh angle catches more attention. • Rewrite your description to emphasise different features (“family-friendly SUV” vs “low-mileage diesel runabout”). • Adjust your price by even a small amount; it can bump your advert back into search results and signal to buyers you’re serious. Think of it as keeping your advert freshly stocked in the shop window.
• Swap your lead photo, sometimes a fresh angle catches more attention. • Rewrite your description to emphasise different features (“family-friendly SUV” vs “low-mileage diesel runabout”). • Adjust your price by even a small amount; it can bump your advert back into search results and signal to buyers you’re serious. Think of it as keeping your advert freshly stocked in the shop window.
Promote your listing
Even the best advert won’t get far if no one sees it. Don’t be shy about sharing it beyond Autotrader.
• Post the link on Facebook, local groups, or forums where buyers might be browsing. • Share it in WhatsApp or Messenger chats, as you never know who’s quietly looking for their next car. • Ask friends and family to reshare, as every click adds visibility. More eyeballs on your advert means more chances of the right buyer getting in touch.
• Post the link on Facebook, local groups, or forums where buyers might be browsing. • Share it in WhatsApp or Messenger chats, as you never know who’s quietly looking for their next car. • Ask friends and family to reshare, as every click adds visibility. More eyeballs on your advert means more chances of the right buyer getting in touch.
Explore different selling options
Private selling isn’t for everyone. If you’re short on time or patience, there are faster alternatives:
• Part-exchange: put the value of your old car straight into your next one. • Sell to a dealership: quick sales with less hassle, even if the price is slightly lower.
• Part-exchange: put the value of your old car straight into your next one. • Sell to a dealership: quick sales with less hassle, even if the price is slightly lower.
Stay flexible and responsive
Finally, remember that selling a car is as much about people as it is about vehicles.
• Reply quickly to messages. Buyers often contact several sellers at once, and the first response wins the viewing. • Offer safe, convenient test drives that fit the buyer’s schedule. • Keep documents ready (V5C logbook, MOT, service history) so you can close the deal on the spot if needed. The smoother and more professional you make the process, the easier it is for the buyer to say yes.
• Reply quickly to messages. Buyers often contact several sellers at once, and the first response wins the viewing. • Offer safe, convenient test drives that fit the buyer’s schedule. • Keep documents ready (V5C logbook, MOT, service history) so you can close the deal on the spot if needed. The smoother and more professional you make the process, the easier it is for the buyer to say yes.
If your car isn’t selling, don’t panic. With the right tweaks – from pricing and photos to timing and advert refreshes – you can significantly boost your chances.