How To Sell Your Car To A Car Buyer Service

March 27, 2023

Have you decided it’s time to turn your car into cash? You’ve come to the right place. At Sell My Car, we have over 50 years of valuable experience in the automotive industry, making selling your car a far more seamless process than a private sale. 

Rather than waiting around to sell your car privately, organising countless inspections, negotiating and completing tedious paperwork, we take care of it all from start to finish. That way, you can rest assured you’ll be dealing with an honest and reputable car buying service that acts with integrity and guarantees payment once we have secured your car sale. Why go through the trouble of screening strangers online and organising car inspections when you can land a direct sale from our car buyer services and get your money sooner?

At Sell My Car, we’ve put together a handy blog that will talk you through all the basic steps of how to sell your car to a car buying service like ourselves, so you can get the best return. 

How to sell your car stress free

At Sell My Car, we make selling your car as simple as possible. Why wait for your car to sell online or with signs on the windshield as it devalues over time? The longer it takes to sell means costly ongoing maintenance, registration and insurance that could be better saved in your wallet or towards the cost of your new vehicle. 

At Sell My Car, the question of how to sell your car could not be easier. Simply take the following steps to secure your car sale with Sell My Car, a car buying service:

1. Get your estimate 

Receive a free car estimate now with Sell My Car. Fill in the online form by entering your car’s registration, vehicle details and personal information, and you will receive an estimate. If you’re curious about how it works, our website provides an estimated market value of your car based on industry sales. It’s powered by Kelley Blue Book data, which uses used car values, the information you’ve submitted online and our vast experience in the market. 

Our estimate is based on the assumption that your vehicle:

• Has a 12-month registration and is roadworthy.
  
• Contains a working odometer, a full-service history and service books.
  
• Is not a private import.
  
• It is in excellent condition, has not been subjected to a write-off, has no damage or defects, and has not been immersed in water.
  
• Has no non-factory approved parts, non-standard paintwork or colouring, and two car keys.
  
• If older than seven years, has travelled 15,000km per year and has not been used for public or private hire, rental, driving tuition or an emergency vehicle. 

The amount we offer to purchase your car is determined during your in-person appointment. 

2. Book an appointment 

Once we complete your free online estimate, you can request the most suitable time and location for us to inspect your vehicle. It’s a good idea to prepare for this inspection by cleaning your car for a great first impression. 

Choose from our local buying centres in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane, or arrange for one of our experienced buyers to come to your home or office if you’re eligible. We’ll be in touch as soon as possible to confirm your appointment time.

3. Bring your paperwork

When attending your appointment, it’s important to note we cannot inspect your vehicle without these essential items:

Current registration certificate

A current registration certificate is essential to prove that you own the vehicle. If you don’t have this certificate, contact your local transport of main roads to collect a copy. If your car is not registered, you must purchase an ‘Unregistered Vehicle Permit.’

100 points of ID (must include a photo ID and proof of address)

These 100 points of ID must include a combination of a current passport (70 points), a current Australian driver’s licence (40 points) or Medicare card, utility bills, bank statement, car registration, and council rates notice (25 points each).

Your bank details

Provide us with your bank BSB, account number and account name by supplying us with a bank statement to ensure we deposit your car sales funds into the correct bank account.

Evidence of no outstanding finance for your vehicle

Provide a letter from your finance company detailing the current settlement figure of your vehicle and the date it is valid.

How to sell a car on behalf of a business or another person

If you’re unsure how to sell a car on behalf of a business or another person, you must provide the following information:

• A letter signed by a company director, business owner or vehicle owner giving authorisation for you to sell the car on their behalf. Attached is a Business Authorisation Letter Template or a Private Seller Authorisation Letter Template for your convenience. 
• A tax invoice from the company or the supplier of the vehicle you’re selling.
• 100 points of ID for the vehicle owner.
  
• Statutory Declaration authorising the sale in VIC, NSW or QLD.

Recommended items

Aside from the above essential information required for your vehicle’s inspection, we highly recommend bringing service books, invoices, owner’s manual, spare car keys, remotes, CD stackers and other tools.

4. We complete a car valuation

During the appointment, our assessors will inspect your car’s condition, service history, and other features. Our valuation of your car depends on various factors, including the make, model, year, mileage and vehicle condition. To prepare for your car valuation and ensure you get the best value for your car, do your research in advance to understand the current market value of your car. 

Inspect your car thoroughly inside and out, and note any scratches or dents that impact your quotation. If your vehicle has modifications or extra features that make for unique selling points, mention these during your valuation. This could be alloy wheels, a sunroof or leather seats. 

If you have any questions about your car’s estimated value, don’t hesitate to contact our team, who would be more than happy to assist. With over 50 years of industry expertise, there is no one better to trust for an accurate valuation of your vehicle than Sell My Car.

5. Purchase offer finalised

Once you accept our offer to purchase your car, we will finalise the sale and guarantee payment to your nominated bank account. If you sell your car to us after 4 pm on a Friday, your payment will take an additional business day to be deposited. Alternatively, opt out of our Next Day Payment Guarantee to save $44 and receive your payment in four working days. 

With our safe and secure transactions and our instant offers at our buying centres, it’s no surprise that Sell My Car has built a name for itself as a renowned car buying service to sell your car to. 

Experience the perks of using Sell My Car’s car buyer services today

Supported by Cox Automotive Australia, Sell My Car is a trusted member of the automotive industry renowned for its honesty and transparency in the vehicle-buying process. We have excellent customer service records and guarantee payment upon sale completion, unlike other methods of private selling that don’t offer the same assurance. 

You no longer need to wonder how to sell your car — we have you sorted. Our valuation process is seamless and thorough in providing you with a competitive estimate in minutes. Secure your free estimate and book an appointment today to get this show on the road. 

To learn more about how we operate, explore our FAQs and don’t hesitate to contact our team for any further questions — we’re happy to help.