Selling privately usually gets you more than a part-exchange, but you manage the advert, viewings, payment and paperwork yourself. This step-by-step guide covers the whole process, from deciding whether a private sale suits you to telling DVLA once the car has gone.
Last reviewed: 14 October 2026. General information, not legal or financial advice. Always follow the current GOV.UK instructions.
Quick checklist
| Stage | What to do |
|---|---|
| Before listing | Clean the car, gather the V5C, MOT and service records, check for outstanding finance |
| Pricing | Compare similar cars by age, mileage, condition and history; set your lowest acceptable price |
| Advert | Current photos, honest description, known faults, MOT and service evidence |
| Viewings | Sensible time and place, someone with you, licence and insurance checked before a test drive |
| Payment | Confirm cleared funds in your own bank account before releasing keys or paperwork |
| Handover | Signed receipt, green new-keeper slip to the buyer, tell DVLA, update your insurer |
Should you sell privately?
A private sale often achieves a higher price than trading in, but it takes more time and you deal with buyers directly. If you need a quick, low-effort sale, a dealer or car-buying service may suit you better, usually for less money. Decide which matters more to you before you start.
1. Get the car and records ready
Clean the vehicle, gather the keys and paperwork, and note known faults. Review the MOT record and service invoices so you can answer questions accurately. Our guide to preparing a car for a private sale covers this stage in detail.
If the car is on finance
If you bought the car on hire purchase (HP), PCP or conditional sale, the finance company usually owns it until the agreement is settled, so you normally cannot sell it until you have paid it off or agreed the arrangements with your lender. Ask the lender for a settlement figure first. Our outstanding finance explainer covers the questions worth asking.
2. Gather your documents
The key document is the V5C (log book), which shows the registered keeper. Buyers will also expect MOT details, service history and all the keys. See our checklist of documents you need to sell a car privately for the full list, including what to do if the V5C is missing.
3. Set a realistic asking price
Compare similar cars by version, age, mileage, service evidence and condition. Decide your asking price and the lowest you would accept before negotiating. An advertised price or online valuation is an estimate, not a guaranteed sale price.
4. Write an honest advert
Use current, well-lit photos of the outside, inside, tyres, dashboard (showing the mileage) and any damage. Include the mileage, MOT details, service evidence, number of keys and known faults. Check the equipment fitted to your car before listing it. Explain missing records rather than making claims you cannot support.
5. Handle enquiries and viewings safely
Agree a sensible time and location, ideally at your home or another place you know, and have someone with you. Give the buyer time to inspect the car and documents. Before a test drive, check their driving licence and confirm they have appropriate insurance; do not assume your policy or theirs covers them. Go with them on the test drive and keep the keys when you are not in the car.
Common warning signs
- A buyer offering more than the asking price and asking you to refund the difference.
- Pressure to hand over the car before payment has cleared.
- A buyer who will not view the car but wants to send a courier or “agent” to collect it.
- Requests to photograph your V5C or for personal details beyond what payment needs.
- Payment “confirmations” sent as screenshots, emails or texts.
The used car buying checklist shows the questions a well-prepared buyer is likely to ask.
6. Agree the sale and get paid safely
Record the price, included items and any known issues in writing. A bank transfer is the most common method: check that the full amount has arrived and cleared in your own banking app or online banking, rather than relying on anything the buyer shows you. Only hand over the car, keys and new-keeper slip once you are satisfied the money is yours. If anything about the transaction seems unclear, pause.
7. Complete the V5C and tell DVLA
You must tell DVLA when you sell a vehicle. GOV.UK says you can do this online to change the registered keeper; after you tell DVLA, the vehicle tax is cancelled and you get a refund for any full months remaining. Give the buyer the green new-keeper slip, follow the instructions on your actual V5C (section numbers differ between versions), and keep the confirmation. If you do not have the log book, GOV.UK explains how to write to DVLA instead. See Tell DVLA you’ve sold, transferred or bought a vehicle.
8. Finish the handover
Remove belongings, saved addresses and paired phones from the car. Hand over the agreed keys and records, and tell your insurer about the sale. Vehicle tax does not transfer to the buyer: they must tax the car before driving it, and arrange their own insurance. See our car tax guide.
After the sale
Keep your advert, agreed terms, signed receipt, payment record and DVLA confirmation. These help if any question comes up later about what was agreed or when the car changed hands, such as a parking or speeding notice dated after the sale.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get paid safely when selling a car privately?
Most sellers use a bank transfer. Log into your own banking app to confirm the full amount has cleared before handing over the keys or paperwork. Never rely on a screenshot or email.
Do I need a log book (V5C) to sell my car?
The V5C is the normal way to transfer the car to the new keeper. If yours is lost, apply for a replacement before you sell, or follow the GOV.UK instructions for selling without a log book. Our documents checklist explains more.
Can I sell a car that is still on finance?
Usually not until the finance is settled, because with HP, PCP and conditional sale the lender normally owns the car until the final payment. Contact your lender for a settlement figure and agree how the sale will work.
Who is responsible for tax after I sell?
The buyer. Tax does not transfer with the car, and once you tell DVLA, your tax is cancelled and any refund due for full months is sent to you.
Sources checked 14 October 2026: GOV.UK, Tell DVLA you’ve sold, transferred or bought a vehicle; GOV.UK, Vehicle registration certificate (V5C log book).