There's no single right answer — it depends on how much time you have and how much the extra money matters.
Selling to a dealer
- Fast — often a same-day offer and payment.
- No strangers, no test-drives to manage, no ad to write.
- The offer is usually more conservative — the dealer needs margin to resell.
Selling privately
- Usually a higher sale price.
- More work: photos, ad, enquiries, meetings, and haggling.
- You handle the paperwork and payment safety yourself.
How to lift your price either way
- Clean it properly — a pre-sale detail often pays for itself (see our detailing guide).
- Gather the service history and receipts in one place.
- Take clear photos in good light: front, rear, both sides, wheels, dash, seats and boot.
- Be honest about faults — trust closes sales faster than a perfect-looking ad.
The shortcut
The easiest move is to get both at once: list your car and let dealers make offers while private buyers enquire. You compare, then decide.
💡 List your car free in a few taps — tick the boxes, add photos, done. Local buyers and dealers reach you.