Selling a car privately is often seen as the best way to get the best price, but new research suggests the reality is not quite as straightforward as that. A survey of 1,700 UK drivers, conducted by short-term car insurance provider Tempcover, has highlighted some of the pros and cons of managing the sale of your car yourself.
Why Do Drivers Choose To Sell Their Car Privately?
For many people looking to sell their car, the main appeal of a private sale is that they control how much money they make. The common thought is that you can get more money for your car by selling it privately than you can by working with a dealership. According to the survey, 26% of drivers chose to sell privately in the hope of achieving a higher final price than they would through a dealer or online car-buying service.
Speed also played a part in their decision, with 24% believing a private sale would be quicker. Others said that having more control over the process (12%) or simply repeating a positive past experience (10%) were also factors in their choice to sell privately.
Pricing And Negotiation
While expectations of higher returns drive many sellers, the final figures show a more mixed result.
- 59% of sellers achieved their full asking price
- 39% accepted less than they originally wanted
- 2% sold for more than their asking price
On average, cars were listed at £6,826. However, those who negotiated down accepted around £908 less than they originally wanted.
For many sellers, accepting a lower price came down to practical considerations rather than poor preparation. Nearly half (47%) said they wanted a quick sale or needed the money urgently, while 39% wanted to avoid the hassle of additional viewings. Others said time wasters, uncertainty around the car’s true value, or buyers negotiating after inspections led them to take a lower offer.
Time And Effort
On average, it took 13.5 days to sell a car privately, although experiences varied widely.
- 20% of cars sold within three days
- 28% sold within four to seven days
- 8% took over a month to sell
Beyond the time taken, there’s also the effort involved. Sellers reported spending nearly six hours on average managing the sales process, from creating listings and responding to enquiries, to arranging viewings and negotiating with buyers.
Lessons learned From Private Sellers
When asked what they would do differently next time, the survey participants made a few points.
17% said they would allow more time for the sale, and the same number said they would be firmer during negotiations. Others would use multiple platforms to increase exposure (16%), improve presentation with better photos or detailing (14%), or set a more realistic asking price from the start (13%).
Interestingly, 37% said they wouldn’t change anything, suggesting many sellers are actually satisfied with their experience. However, convenience is clearly becoming more appealing. Over half (57%) said they would consider using an online car-buying service next time, even if it meant accepting a lower price.
Claire Wills-McKissick, short term insurance expert at Tempcover
“Selling privately may offer a way to get a better price for your car, but it’s important to remember the legal and safety obligations too. Our survey found that nearly one in four drivers didn’t check if they were insured for test drives, an oversight that could leave both buyer and seller exposed. Using short-term insurance for test drives is a simple way to give both the seller and the buyer peace of mind. By planning ahead, feeling confident in your price and presenting the car well you can make sure the perks of selling privately aren’t spoiled by an easily avoidable insurance risk. Taking a few extra steps can protect sellers legally, safeguard the buyer, and ultimately make the sale process smoother and less stressful.”
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