Here at CarTakeBack we like to think that we make selling your old car easy, but seeing as it’s what we do for hundreds of customers everyday, we probably take some of our knowledge for granted! To make sure you’re in the know, we’ve put together this simple step-by-step guide with everything you need to do to sell your car.
This checklist will apply to any car sale, however you choose to sell your car.
If you have a private number plate that you want to transfer to another vehicle, or retain for future use, it’s essential to tell DVLA before you sell your old car. These days it’s a relatively easy process that you can carry out entirely online, but DVLA advise not to begin the process of selling your current car until you’ve transferred your private number plate, as if the sale goes through, you could lose it.
* Don’t forget to call your insurance company and inform them of any changes to your policy so they can update their records, even if it’s for a short period of time!
Obviously we recommend CarTakeBack! With our free collection across the UK and instant prices online guaranteed for seven days. Whatever route you choose, our biggest tip is not to wait too long – it’s easy to let time go by and cars devalue quickly. You can check out our full guide to getting the best price for your scrap car.
Once you’ve got a deal for your car, it’s time to prepare for saying goodbye. Obviously you need to remove your personal belongings and maybe take that last selfie with the old motor, but something you may not have considered is removing your personal data. A car’s computer stores your data for convenience, but that data is at risk when your car changes hands. There’s no need to worry; just like your home computer or mobile phone, the data from your car can be wiped.
This is arguably the most important step in the car selling process, because otherwise, officially you remain responsible for the vehicle. We’ve put together a simple guide on how to inform DVLA.
Receiving a refund for any unused car tax is a lovely bonus of selling your old car! It’s so easy to sort out, but you may need to follow up with the DVLA and you don’t want to miss out. If you’re not sure where to start, we can help.
Don’t forget to cancel your car insurance – you don’t want to be paying for a policy you don’t need. Your insurance company will manage the paperwork, you just need to contact them and cancel any future monthly payments.
It’s worth keeping hold of the confirmation from DVLA that ownership of your car has been transferred. If your car was scrapped and you were issued a Certificate of Destruction it’s important to keep this document safe indefinitely. We know it’s frustrating having a lot of documents to file at home, but this is the proof that you are no longer responsible for the vehicle.
If you need some inspiration or advice for buying a new motor then you can check out our guide to buying a car online >
And if you plan to buy a new-to-you second hand motor, then you can take a look at our guide for buying a reliable used car >
