Private sale or dealer: which leaves you ahead?
A private sale can fetch a higher price, but it costs money, time and weeks of waiting. Put in your own numbers and see how the two compare.
- Private sale, after costs
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- Offer in hand
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Enter your expected private price and an offer to compare them.
Your own estimate, using only the numbers you enter. We never see them.
What the numbers leave out
Some of the cost of a private sale never shows up in a sum: who comes to your door, and whether the payment is real.
| Compare | Sell Your Car Australia | Private sale | Dealer trade-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your time | About a minute online, then one phone call | Photos, listings, calls and inspections, often for weeks | An afternoon at the dealership |
| Strangers and test drives | No | Yes, at your home | No |
| Payment risk | Funds clear in your account before collection | Fake transfers and scams are common | Low |
| Do you have to buy a car? | No | No | Yes, the price is part of a new-car deal |
| Car under finance | We deal with your lender | You sort out the payout | Handled |
| Paperwork | Handled, including the transfer | Yours to do | Handled |
Swipe the table sideways to see all three options.
Questions about comparing offers
Straight answers. If yours is not here, call us and ask.
1800 73 55 73What costs should I count for a private sale?
Anything you would not spend if you sold today: detailing and small repairs, photos, advertising, a roadworthy or safety certificate if your state requires one for a private sale, and the loan interest, rego and insurance you keep paying while the car is listed.
Should I count my own time?
That is up to you. Listing a car, answering messages, showing it to buyers and handling test drives takes hours. Put in what an hour is worth to you, or leave it at zero to compare on money alone.
How do I get an offer to compare against?
Get a free valuation from us. It is a genuine offer from a licensed motor dealer, not an online estimate, and there is no obligation to accept it. We are buying cars 2021 or newer, with 100,000 km or less.
Why not just sell privately?
You can, but a private sale means photos, listings, calls from scammers and tyre-kickers, strangers test-driving your car, and the risk of fake payment. Selling to us takes a few minutes of your time, and you are paid before the car leaves your driveway.
When do I get paid?
Once we agree on a price, we can often pay a deposit the same day. After an inspection, the balance is paid into your bank account by bank transfer. The car is collected only after you confirm the funds have cleared, so you are never left without the car and without the money.
Get an offer to compare
A genuine offer from a licensed dealer, free and with no obligation. If your car is 2021 or newer, with 100,000 km or less, we want to hear about it.