Can I sell a car on someone else's behalf?

You can sell a car on someone else’s behalf if you have their permission. It doesn’t matter whether the person is a family member, a friend, or simply someone who needs help– as long as you’ve got their consent, you can help them sell their car.
Keep reading to learn how to successfully sell a car for someone else.

To sell a car on someone else’s behalf, you will need a letter of intent from the person you’re selling the car for.
The letter of intent should include the following information: • The full name of the car’s owner • Your full name as the person authorised to act on behalf of the owner • Clear statement that the owner has given you permission to sell the car for them • Details of the vehicle, including the make, model, registration number, VIN and mileage • Signature of the owner • Your signature • The date the document has been signed This helps prove that you’re acting with proper permission and it helps keep things transparent. If you want to be extra careful, you could also get a Power of Attorney (PoA). This is a legal document that gives you the official right to act for the owner in all matters of the sale, including signing legal papers and transferring ownership. PoA is particularly useful if the owner can’t be present, or if there are added complexities such as outstanding finance. It provides peace of mind to buyers too, since they know you have full legal authority. Lasting Power of Attorney remains valid in instances where a person becomes mentally unable to make their own decisions, making it a way to plan for future incapacity and helping to sell their car when the right time comes. However, obtaining a Power of Attorney involves extra paperwork and costs money to arrange, compared to a simple letter of intent. And if the owner later wants to revoke it, they’ll need to go through more paperwork to cancel the PoA. One should only appoint someone under Power of Attorney if they know them well, are confident in their abilities, if they trust them to make decisions in their best interest and if they believe they’ll be happy to make decisions for you.

You’ll need the following documents when selling a car on someone else’s behalf:
• The owner’s V5C logbook showing their name • Service history book • MOT certificates • Proof of ID such as a driving licence or passport for you and the car’s owner • Any receipts or paperwork about maintenance or fixes • A letter of intent (as mentioned above)

You may face a few challenges when selling a car on someone else’s behalf.
Buyers might hesitate to buy the car if the paperwork isn’t clear or if they’re unsure that you have the right to sell – this is where having a letter of intent will help. Also, if there are any mistakes with documents, then it can cause delays or even cancel the sale, so make sure you and the owner of the car double-check all documents. You may also need to discuss the lowest price the owner is willing to accept – having this conversation beforehand can help avoid any confusion later.

Yes, you can sell a car on someone else’s behalf on Autotrader. To do so, you can either:

Register the account in the owner’s name

With their permission, you set up the account using their details and place the advert. If Auto Trader needs to confirm anything, the owner must be available for checks. Or,

Register the account in your own name

You can create the listing under your details, but you must be transparent. Clearly state in the advert that you’re selling on behalf of someone else and that you are not the owner. Both options work - just make sure you’re honest in the listing so buyers know the situation upfront. Ready to sell? Start your selling journey on Autotrader today.