The Hidden Costs of Selling Your Car Privately

Advertising costs

While listing your vehicle for free on digital marketplaces is simple, gaining traction can be difficult. With hundreds of uploads daily, your sale can be quickly drowned out as newer listings are uploaded. These platforms allow you to upgrade your sale to a premium listing (which increases your vehicle's exposure across their platform), but come at a cost of $50-$100 and do not guarantee an expedited sale.

Additional advertising platforms include social media and traditional print media outlets. Instagram and Facebook provide flexibility with their paid ads, which begin at $5 daily, but can quickly add up the longer your vehicle remains unsold. Print media has even less relevance, with some ads costing up to $150 and providing far less visibility than digital advertisements. 

While these costs may not take a massive chunk out of your budget, they’re essential to understand to avoid unnecessary and lengthy sale periods. To prevent this, many sellers opt to deal with a licensed motor car trader (LMCT), who will value, buy and collect your vehicle without any associated advertising costs.

Preparation costs

Getting your car ready for inspections and test drives is integral to making a good first impression on your buyer. This may involve cosmetic repair and cleaning as well as mechanical fixes.

Many people choose to have their car professionally detailed before uploading images to a marketplace and accepting viewings. This service can vary in cost depending on the condition of your vehicle, ranging from $200 to $500. Similarly, replacing wipers and fixing minor dents and scratches also come with their own costs, which can quickly add to your list of expenses. Some buyers may even request a mechanical inspection to ensure your vehicle is in good condition. This service may cost up to $300, but it can make your car more appealing for sale.

While these considerations are optional, the cosmetic appearance of your vehicle goes a long way in attracting buyers, and can make all the difference in receiving the asking price you’ve created.

Roadworthy certification

Many local governments across Australia require you to obtain a roadworthy certificate (RWC) prior to selling your vehicle privately. This ensures your car meets the minimum safety standards and can cost up to $200.

Should your car fail the certification process, you must address the necessary repairs to complete a sale legally. Typical fixes include brake and electrical maintenance and tyre replacement, all of which come with their own service fees.

While most good-condition vehicles may not need full-scale repair to obtain an RWC, understanding how quickly costs can add up is important to a successful sale. Alternatively, you have the option of selling your vehicle in its current condition without a roadworthy certificate to a licensed car buying facility, such as a local dealer, or our team at 1800 Car Buyers.

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Time and effort

While selling a car privately comes with many financial considerations, it’s equally important to understand that a commitment of time and effort is often needed to secure a great deal.

Multiple factors can chew up your time, such as organising test drives, screening potential buyers, and negotiating prices. While each component is necessary in a private sale, you can find yourself making little progress if you don’t streamline the inspection process. 

Whether dealing with time-wasting buyers or an extensive negotiation process, your time and effort are better spent elsewhere. Thankfully, an LMCT such as 1800 Car Buyers will purchase your vehicle based solely on the images and information you share.

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While private sales are a popular choice for Australians across the country, acknowledging that there are several related costs is key to a stress-free sale. Prefer to make cash on your car without the hassle? Choose a licensed motor car trader such as 1800 Car Buyers today! With no hidden fees and same-day pick-up, we offer the easiest way to sell your car in Australia. Fill out our online enquiry form to get started now.