Sell My Car

There are many factors influencing a car’s value from the make, model, engine, trim level and options fitted, to its mileage, age, history and condition.

Auto Express draws on a range of information to create its instant car valuations, including live data from the market, industry insights and historic offers from dealers on Auto Express itself. The Auto Express experts then look at the specifics of your car, its history, specification and condition, before suggesting a reserve price and then offering it to dealers in the daily Auto Express online auction.

At the end of the auction, you are presented with the best offer received for your car. Most Auto Express sellers surveyed got an average £1,000 more vs part exchange quotes. You are completely free to accept or reject that offer, there’s no obligation to sell your car at any stage.

Yes. There are no fees for sellers on Auto Express. Dealers pay a fee to Auto Express when they buy your car but for you it’s absolutely free.

You can sell cars, vans and even some other classes of vehicle on Auto Express. Enter your registration number and get your valuation.

It’s possible to sell cars with outstanding finance and although Auto Express dealers do not buy insurance write-offs, the service will put you in contact with an online buyer who will. It’s a similar story with scrap or non-running cars. Auto Express’s scrap partner will offer you a price with free collection.

Motorbikes and scooters currently can’t be sold on Auto Express.

It usually takes between two and seven days to sell a car on Auto Express, that’s from completing the first enquiry to having the car collected and the money in your bank account. The whole process can take as little as 24 hours though.

Once you have accepted a dealer’s offer and arranged an appointment to have the car collected, you’ll need to have some documents ready. This is what you’ll need so that the dealer can check the validity of your car, transfer the payment to your account and transfer ownership of the car quickly and easily on the day.

• V5C vehicle registration document.
• MOT certificate (if your car has had one).
• All spare keys to the car.
• Photo ID, such as a driving licence or passport.
• Proof of address – a utility bill, bank statement or council tax statement. The address shown must match the address on the V5C document.
• Authority from your finance company. If there is any finance on your car, you need a letter from the finance company confirming the final settlement figure.
• Service record book.
• Car handbook/owner’s manual.
• Locking wheel nut key (if you have them).
• Radio and key codes (if applicable).
• Your UK bank details.
• Fuel in the tank – ensure there is enough fuel so that the fuel light is not on.

All the items above, plus:

• Written authorisation from the registered keeper that you are able to sell the car.
• Photo ID of the registered keeper.

A good set of pictures of your car will help attract interest from dealers and make sure you get as high a price as possible for it. Offers from dealers are guaranteed on the basis of the photos and information provided so it’s really important to do a thorough job when taking your photos.

Auto Express asks for a total of 16 photos of your car covering the exterior, interior wheels and tyres. In addition, they ask for pictures of any imperfections around the vehicle - scratches, chips, dents, etc.

It can all be done easily using the Auto Express photo app on your smartphone. Photos taken from third-party websites cannot be accepted.

Yes. Auto Express dealers will buy cars with finance outstanding. The dealer will settle the outstanding finance directly with the finance company and the remaining amount will be transferred to your account.

To complete the process you will need a ‘settlement figure’ from your finance company which the finance company is obliged to supply within 12 days, but is usually provided within one to three days in practice.

Yes. If you accept the offer on your car, the dealer who made it will be in touch to arrange an appointment to collect the car and complete the deal.

The agent collecting the car will check that it matches the details and photos you’ve provided and this usually involves a quick inspection of the bodywork, mechanicals and interior. It may also involve a short test drive.

When the dealer is happy that the car is as described, they will authorise the payment to your account, sign the paperwork and take the car away.

In most cases, the money is sent via bank transfer on the same day that the car is collected. You will confirm your bank details when you accept the offer on your car.

The time it takes for the funds to come through can vary slightly depending on the dealer and your bank. Dealers will not pay for cars in cash.

Yes. Auto Express is part of the Carwow Group working in partnership with Carwow. There are, of course, other car sales solutions available.