Sell or value your car

Online car-buying services give you a free valuation from your registration and mileage, then dealers make offers. You don’t pay to list and you don’t have to accept. Here’s how they work and how to get the best price.

How online valuations work

You enter the registration and mileage, answer a few questions about condition, and get a guide price. Depending on the service, dealers then bid on the car or make a firm offer after an inspection. The final price can move if the car’s condition doesn’t match what you described, so be honest about scratches, warning lights and tyres up front.

What moves the price

• Mileage compared with the car’s age. The UK average is roughly 7,000–8,000 miles a year.
• MOT history. Buyers and dealers look it up. Repeat advisories and recent fails suggest money will need spending. Check your own car’s record first so nothing surprises you.
• Service history. A stamped book or invoices showing regular servicing supports the price.
• Condition: bodywork, interior, tyres and any warning lights.
• Specification and demand: engine, trim, colour and how many similar cars are for sale.
• Outstanding recalls. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer, so get them done before you sell.

Paperwork to have ready

• The V5C logbook in your name, with your current address.
• Service history and receipts for recent work.
• Both keys, the locking wheel nut and the owner’s manual if you have them.

After the sale, tell DVLA you’ve sold the car. GOV.UK’s sold or bought a vehicle service is free.

Last reviewed 22 October 2026. General information, not advice about a particular car.