Putting a bit of work in before listing and selling your secondhand car means you can ask for a better price – it could mean up to an additional £3,000 in your back pocket
If you’re thinking of selling your car then it’s a good idea to do a few things before you put it up for sale as it could make a significant difference to the price tag. Spending a few minutes on cleaning, minor repairs and finding documents can boost a car’s value by £2,800, according to an expert.
And while haggling on the price of a new car is standard, not putting effort in when selling could cost you thousands, warns Paul Barker, editor at Auto Express. According to Paul, a little effort can go a long way, with simple actions like cleaning your car, getting the paperwork up together and finding the spare key could add £1000s to your car’s estimated valuation.
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“Most dealers will judge the value of used cars using an industry wide grading system from a company called CAP,” explains Paul. “The condition is categorised into three main levels: Clean condition should have a full service history and minor wear and tear. The Average level will include multiple small scratches, scuffed alloy wheels and missing keys or manuals. Below condition will mean more damage and lots of missing paperwork.”
And the difference between the values is substantial. For example, a three-year old Ford Puma ST-Line will have a trade value of £11,550 in Clean condition, but only £9,200 if judged to be Below – that’s a difference of £2,350.
A Kia Sportage of the same age falls £2,700 from £17,400 to £14,700 while a Tesla Model Y drops from £23,050 to £20,250 – that’s a difference of almost £3,000 (£2,880).
Paul offers his expert insight into how to boost your car’s worth and potentially get £1000s more for your car. Clean it. “First impressions count,” says Paul. “You wouldn’t sell a house without a quick tidy, so do the same with your car. A dirty car in photos suggests a neglected one; expect to sell for 10 to 20% less if your car is not looking its best.”
Get a new MoT: “Many motorists try and sell their car before an MoT, but if you’re confident it’ll pass, getting it done can reassure buyers and save them a job,” advises Paul. “For a 10-15-year-old car, a valid MoT holds much of its value. Of course, there is a risk – if the car fails and it costs a lot to fix then you could be out of pocket, so this will only really add value if you are fairly certain it will pass.”
Get an EV’s up to date battery SOH report. Buyers are already aware that battery condition is a crucial part of a used electric car’s value and will be more confident if there is a State of Health (SOH) report,” says Paul, adding , “On some electric cars such as the Nissan Leaf and BMW i3 this is something you can photograph on the dashboard while others will have a SOH report in the service paperwork.”
Fix scratches and dents. This one can go either way – dealers are used to having to get repairs like this done – and can usually get them much cheaper than the general public – so it might not always make sense, but a good job could add more than £100 to the sale price. However,” warns Paul, “ don’t try and do it on the cheap – dealers will likely still knock down the value and then you have paid out twice!”
Ensure you have a spare key. “Buyers will expect a used car to be supplied with at least two working keys and a replacement can cost up to £1,100. If you can’t find it, the buyer will simply subtract the cost from the value of your car, so it is worth turning your house upside down for.”
Locate all the paperwork. “Selling a car without the V5C registration document is almost impossible,” says Paul , “so if you can’t find it you will need to allow up to 25 days to apply for a duplicate from the DVLA or take a big hit on the value. If you have a cherished plate, it’s also worth transferring it if you can before you sell.”
Provide a full service history. All buyers love seeing FSH in an advert, but they’ll want proof—stamps, receipts, or both,” says Paul. “For brands like Kia and MG, a missing service history can void the warranty, meaning buyers need to buy extended cover, which can cost £1,200. Some cars even store history digitally in the key, so it’s worth digging through emails to find records.”
Fix your windscreen. “This one is a bit of a no brainer,” Paul says. “A chipped windscreen can knock £1,000 off your car’s value, but most insurance covers repairs without affecting your no-claims. A small excess beats a big price drop—so fix it before you sell.”
Take decent pictures. “To get the best price for your car, sell it privately – the safest route is using a car buying service like Auto Express’ own Sell My Car, where dealers bid against each other for stock. “But whichever you choose, getting decent pictures will be essential. There is no need to glam it up, but you do need to show the car as it is, including any damage and paperwork. The Sell My Car portal guides you through the process. Just be honest – that way, you avoid problems down the line and get the best price for your car.”
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