Sell your car under finance. We pay out the lender.
Still paying off your car? You can still sell it. We pay out your lender and pay any equity into your account. Cars under finance usually settle in 2 to 3 business days.
Now buying: 2021+ and 100,000 km or less
Get your free valuation
Step 1 of 3: your car
- Licensed dealer MD 077404NSW licence. Run by a valuer since 1992
- Paid before pickupFunds clear before the car leaves
- An offer on the callA real offer, not an online estimate
- Australia-wideWe arrange collection in every state
How selling a financed car works
Owing money on your car does not stop you selling it. The loan simply has to be paid out as part of the sale, and we handle that with your lender for you.
Get your payout figure
Ask your lender for a payout letter. It shows the exact amount needed to close the loan and the date that figure is valid until.
Get our offer
We make a genuine cash offer for the car. Put it next to your payout figure and you can see straight away what you would walk away with.
We pay out your lender
Accept the offer and we pay the lender directly from the sale price at settlement. That clears the loan, so the car can change hands free of finance.
You get the rest
Any equity left over is paid into your bank account. As with every sale, the car is collected only after the funds have cleared.
When the car is worth more than you owe
Our offer for your car
- To your lender: the payout figurePaid directly at settlement. The loan is closed and the lender’s interest in the car is released.
- To you: everything left overPaid into your bank account before the car is collected.
Cars under finance usually take 2 to 3 business days to settle.
What sellers say
Roy’s sale involved paperwork and his lenders. Here is what he said, alongside other sellers, in their own words.
They helped me through the transaction of a high value car and made it very pleasant. From paperwork and working with the lenders, to a personal touch.
“I was paid before Autohaus took possession of my car, which from my experience normally doesn’t happen.”
Spiros Mercedes-Benz SLK 250 “I put my faith in the transaction going through while away on holidays and to his word Dean was honest, transparent and came through without any issues.”
Robert Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 d, Melbourne VIC
Sell Your Car Australia is run by Autohaus Australia Pty Ltd, so some reviews mention Autohaus Australia.
What affects your offer and your equity
Your equity is our offer minus your payout figure. Here is what moves each side of that sum.
Kilometres and condition
Finance does not change how we price the car. Lower kilometres for the year and a tidy car mean a stronger offer, and more equity for you.
Service history
A complete logbook is one of the simplest ways to protect your equity. More in what determines a used vehicle’s value.
Your payout figure
The amount needed to close the loan on a given day. It is often different from the balance in your banking app, because it can include interest up to the payout date and any fees in your contract.
Early payout fees
Some loans charge an early termination or break fee if you pay them out before the end of the term. Check your payout letter, or ask your lender, so there are no surprises.
Balloon payments
If your loan has a balloon or residual payment, it is part of what you owe and is included in your payout figure.
Timing
Payout figures are only valid until a set date, because interest keeps adding up. If yours expires before settlement, ask your lender for an updated one.
Free and no obligation. Or call 1800 73 55 73.
Guides before you sell
- Selling tipsIs it safe to sell your car for cash?Is it safe to sell your car for cash? How to sell quickly and securely in Australia, avoid common payment scams and know when to hand over the keys.Read the guide
- Selling tipsPreparing your car for salePreparing your car for sale? Learn how to clean it, fix small faults and get your service history and paperwork ready to attract buyers and a better price.Read the guide
- Selling tipsThings to know before you sell a second-hand carSelling a second-hand car? What to know first, from presentation and realistic pricing to safe advertising, honest disclosure, paperwork and getting paid.Read the guide
If you owe more than the car is worth
Sometimes the payout figure is higher than what the car is worth. This is called negative equity. It can happen in the early years of a loan, when a car can lose value faster than the balance comes down, or when a loan has a large balloon payment at the end.
Your lender has to be paid in full before the car can be sold free of finance. So if our offer is less than your payout figure, the difference (the shortfall) has to come from you, and it needs to be paid before settlement.
- Get your payout figure before you accept any offer, so you know exactly where you stand.
- If you can cover the shortfall, for example from savings, the sale goes ahead as normal.
- If covering it is not practical right now, you do not have to sell. Each repayment brings the balance down, and you can come back for a free valuation later.
- If you are unsure what you owe or what your options are, talk to your lender first.
What to have ready
Having these on hand keeps a financed sale moving.
- Payout letter from your lender, showing the payout amount, the date it is valid until and how the lender wants to be paid
- The lender’s name and your loan account number
- Photo ID, such as your driver licence
- Registration papers
- The service logbook and receipts for recent work
- Every key, including the spare
If the car is on a novated or business lease, or the loan or registration is in a company name or someone else’s name, tell us early. We will confirm who needs to sign the sale paperwork and how the payout works.
Not sure about something? Call 1800 73 55 73.
Selling a financed car: your three options
With a private sale, sorting out the payout is up to you. Here is how the options compare.
| 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 selling a car under finance
Straight answers. If yours is not here, call us and ask.
1800 73 55 73Can I sell my car if I still owe money on it?
Yes. We deal with your lender directly to pay out the loan, then pay you any equity left over. Cars under finance usually take 2 to 3 business days to settle. If you owe more than the car is worth, the difference has to be covered before settlement, and we show you the numbers before you decide.
How long does selling a financed car take?
Usually 2 to 3 business days to settle. The extra time is for confirming the payout figure with your lender and paying out the loan. Everything else works like any other sale: offer, deposit, inspection, the balance into your account, then collection once your funds have cleared.
What if I owe more than the car is worth?
That is called negative equity. Your lender has to be paid out in full before the sale can settle, so you would need to cover the difference between our offer and your payout figure before settlement. Get your payout figure first so you can see where you stand before you accept any offer.
What is a payout letter and how do I get one?
A payout letter (also called a payout quote or payout figure) is your lender’s written statement of the exact amount needed to close the loan, the date it is valid until and how to pay it. Most lenders provide one on request, often through their app, online banking or customer service team.
Why do you pay my lender directly?
With a secured car loan, the lender usually registers a security interest over the car on the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) until the loan is paid in full. Paying the lender directly at settlement clears the loan, so the lender can remove that interest and the car can change hands free of finance.
Is a balloon payment included in the payout?
Yes. A balloon or residual payment is part of what you owe, so it is included in the payout figure from your lender. If our offer is higher than the payout figure, the difference is paid to you.
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.
What documents do I need?
Photo ID, the registration papers, the service logbook and any receipts for recent work, your bank details for the payment, and your loan details if the car is under finance. We prepare the sale paperwork and help with the transfer of ownership, so you do not have to chase forms.
What cars are you buying right now?
We are buying cars, utes, SUVs and 4WDs built in 2021 or later with 100,000 km or less. Any make is welcome, and we have strong demand for European and prestige models, dual-cab utes and family SUVs. If your car sits just outside that, send it through anyway and we will tell you straight away whether we can help.
Find out what you would walk away with
Free and no obligation. Have your payout figure handy and you will know your equity as soon as we make an offer.