by A well-prepared car is easier for a buyer to assess. Start with the paperwork and condition, then put together an advert that answers the questions you would ask if you were buying it.
Check the paperwork first
Find the V5C, service records and repair invoices. Check the registration and vehicle details match, and separate dated invoices from general maintenance notes. Do not describe a partial record as a full service history.
Our private-sale documents checklist explains what to have ready.
Review the MOT record
Note the latest result and any outstanding advisories. If repairs have been completed, keep the relevant invoices alongside the test record. Buyers are likely to ask about repeated faults and gaps.
Read how to interpret MOT history before writing the advert.
Clean the car and record its condition
Wash the exterior, vacuum the cabin and clear out your belongings. Photograph scratches, dents, worn seats and warning lights as well as the best-looking parts. Cleaning helps people see the condition; it should not hide a fault.
Check tyre condition and fluid levels using the vehicle handbook. Have a garage assess problems you cannot diagnose. Keep any work you choose to have done documented.
Take useful photographs
- Photograph the front, rear and both sides in daylight.
- Include the cabin, seats, boot and wheels.
- Show the odometer and any visible damage clearly.
- Use your own current photographs rather than stock images.
- Keep personal details and document reference numbers out of public photographs.
Write an advert that stands up to a viewing
Include the model and version, mileage, MOT details, service evidence, number of keys and known faults. Describe equipment you have checked rather than copying a specification list that may belong to another version.
Explain uncertainty plainly, including missing records or disputed mileage. Avoid claiming that the car is fault-free just because it has passed an MOT.
Decide your asking price
Compare cars with a similar age, version, mileage and condition. Asking prices are a starting point, not proof of what another car sold for. Allow for documented repairs and outstanding issues when setting your own price.
Prepare for the viewing
Have the keys and paperwork ready, agree a suitable time and avoid letting pressure rush the sale. Before any test drive, check the driver’s licence and confirm appropriate insurance is in place.
For the stages after the advert, see our private car sale guide. If finance is still attached to the vehicle, read our outstanding finance guide and confirm the position with the lender before arranging a sale.