Advice
How to sell your truck on Auto Trader
Whether you are own a single truck or a whole fleet, there comes a time when you need to part ways with your truck. Luckily, it’s easy to make money from your old truck with Auto Trader, and with some going for hundreds of thousands of pounds, why wouldn’t you? Find out how to sell your truck on Auto Trader, hassle free.
Words by: Auto Trader
Published on 11 December 2020 | 0 min read
How to sell your truck on Auto Trader
There are three ways to sell your truck on Auto Trader. Finding the best route for you depends on the condition of your truck and how much involvement you’d like to have.
1. Advertise your truck
If you want to manage the whole process yourself from listing to sale, then placing an ad for your truck on the Auto Trader website is the most straightforward way. For a minimal fee, you’ll be able to list up to 20 images and the features of your truck and gain access to a growing base of 180,000 interested buyers. There are simple pricing plans for traders and private sellers, suited to your term preferences, and you can manage your listing through your own dashboard, including promoting your advert if you need to sell quickly.
2. Sell to a dealer
Sometimes you don’t want the hassle of managing the sale of your truck yourself. In which case, Auto Trader partner with national and local truck dealers who are ready to take your truck off your hands. You’ll find featured dealers on the Auto Trader website who will list the types of vehicle they’re looking for. Have a browse and see if your truck meets their requirements; if it does, get in touch and the dealer will arrange a viewing and provide a quote.
3. Sell for parts
If your truck isn’t in a driveable condition, there’s still a lot of value hiding in its parts and accessories. Auto Trader partner with companies who specialise in stripping HGVs for parts in an environmentally responsible way, ensuring that waste is reduced and you still make some income on the useful aspects of your vehicle. Simply browse our parts and accessories page and find a suitable parts dealer who will be able to provide a quote.
What you need to sell your truck on Auto Trader We’ve covered the various ways to sell, but what vital information should you know about your truck before you place an ad or contact a dealer?
What you need to sell your truck on Auto Trader We’ve covered the various ways to sell, but what vital information should you know about your truck before you place an ad or contact a dealer?
Know the essentials
This includes the body type, make and model, axel configuration, as well as its year of manufacture. Beyond those key details, buyers will want to know its mileage, cab type, gross vehicle weight (GVW), engine power and emissions class. It’s also important to have your MOT certification and vehicle registration documents to hand, as well as know the details of its full service and repair history if you can.
Keep things simple
You’ll only have a short amount of words to play with, and you want to grab your buyer’s attention early, so lead with your truck's best features and benefits. Bullet points can help you detail its important aspects before fleshing out, but remember to note the condition and any important issues the buyer should be aware of.
Give it a sprucing up
Photos without spec won’t sell your vehicle, but buyers will use your images to fill in any blanks from your description. You get up to 20 photos, so make sure they cover your truck from every angle and in the best lighting conditions so that all details can be seen. You want your truck to look its best, so make sure it’s had a thorough clean or valet from the cab to the tyres, lights and windows. Park it against a neutral background for the best images. However, don’t try to hide any imperfections if you want to make a successful sale, it’s best to be honest.
Viewings and test drives
A potential buyer may want to test drive or pay a visit to your truck. If so, ensure you take all their details, including full name and number, as well as their vehicle reg if they show up in a car. It’s best to see some ID or run a background check before you let someone drive off in your vehicle, and always make sure you accompany them. Make sure the buyer has all the details they need before they come to visit, otherwise you could end up wasting your time.
Know how you will accept payment
Payments can be facilitated easily via bank transfer or card payment, or via online means such as PayPal. In some cases, you may wish to accept a cheque. Any way in which the receipt of payment can be recorded is recommended (ideally not cash), and ensure you don’t hand over the keys until you have received full payment.
Final words
Selling your truck is easy with Auto Trader. Just follow our guidance above, and more tips on our site, including tips on how to prepare your truck before selling it. For more advice, reach out to us today.