Selling Your Car in Melbourne
Are you looking to sell your car in Melbourne? You probably know that the two most popular ways to sell are privately or to a dealer.
Whichever you choose, you’ll want the highest price and the least amount of hassle. To help make sure that happens, understanding the pros and cons of both approaches is key.
In this article, we will look at how private sale vs car dealers stack up so that you can make an informed decision on which route to take when selling your car in Melbourne!
Pros and Cons of Selling a Car Privately
Selling a car privately means selling it without the involvement of third parties or in other words, selling directly to an individual owner.
It usually involves listing your car online through websites such as Gumtree or eBay, placing physical adverts to attract potential buyers, negotiating with them and processing the payment.
Selling a car privately also involves doing all the necessary legwork on your own.
This includes pricing the car, photographing and advertising (which usually incurs a cost) as well as organising inspections which can be tricky when you are working full-time.
Here are the pros and cons.
Pros:
- Sellers can negotiate a higher price if they have the time wait
- Sellers are in control of the whole process
Cons:
- Sellers need to invest more time and effort throughout the whole process (including scheduling multiple inspections for every prospective buyer)
- Being responsible for everything- from taking care of paperwork to finding potential buyers and negotiating prices
- Higher risks of scams that could lead to huge losses
- Advertising costs that add up
Pros and Cons of Selling to a Used Car Dealer
Selling to a used car dealer is a convenient and often faster way of selling a car, as they are experts in the field and can process all the paperwork needed and provide you with an offer almost instantly.
Sellers can expect to get less money than they would if they sold privately, but it is often more hassle-free and buyers don’t have to worry about finding someone willing to buy the car.
Pros:
- Sellers don’t need to worry about finding buyers, advertising, organising inspections and dealing with paperwork
- Payment is almost instant- often within a day
- Safer- far less risk of being swindled
Cons:
- Sellers often get less money out of selling to a dealer
- Less control over the price they are offered, as dealers usually offer standard prices for cars
The Pros and Cons Of Selling Via Private Sales And To A Dealer
| Pros | Cons | |
| Selling Privately | • Get to negotiate the best price • Be in charge of the process | • Often takes longer (waiting for the right buyer/ right price) Higher risk of scams • Requires more time and effort (organising multiple inspections, negotiating and dealing with paperwork etc) |
| Selling To A Car Dealer | • Faster payment (usually within a day or two) • Less hassle- they take care of the paperwork • Safer- much lower risk of being swindled | • Lower price compared to private sales • Less involvement in the process |
How Do You Decide Which Method Works Best For You?
To help you decide, you’ll need to consider your current situation. These questions can be a good starting point.
Do you have time to work on listing your car and can you wait for a buyer?
Can you risk depreciation on your car after months of not being able to sell privately?
Can you manage the different aspects of private sales- including negotiations, the paperwork and all steps in adherence to state regulations?
Do you want a hassle free process?
Do you want cash quickly?
In general, if you can wait and have the capacity to go through the sales process step-by-step, you could opt to sell your car privately and fetch a better price.
Conversely, if time is not on your side and you want as little fuss as possible, selling to a dealer would be your best option.
A Better Alternative: Online Car Buyers
Online car buyers are a new category of car dealerships that use tech to create a more seamless and cost-effective process for sellers.
They are a great alternative for Australians who want to sell their cars quickly and without any fuss. Sales can be completed within a day or two without sellers having to leave their house!
Here are some of their benefits:
Seamless and convenient: The entire process is completed online, wherever you are. This means you don’t have to visit a dealership in person- saving you time and hassle. Most will even come to you to get your car inspected.
Competitive rates: They offer more competitive pricing due to access to pricing information from multiple sources allowing them to compare prices with other dealerships.
Transparent: Online car buyers are typically more transparent than traditional dealerships. They often provide detailed information about the condition of your car, its history, and any issues that may affect its value. This can help you make an informed decision about whether to sell your car and for how much.
Overall, online car buyers offer a convenient, competitive, and transparent way to sell your car quickly and easily, making them an excellent alternative to traditional dealerships.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both selling a car privately and selling to a car dealer have their advantages and disadvantages. Sellers must consider factors such as time, effort and the amount of money they want for their car before making a decision.
That said, if you want a quick and hassle-free experience, Carhops delivers excellent service and fair prices, not forgetting full payment by the end of the day*.
Get a free valuation and find out how much you could get for your car.
*Payment is completed upon inspection of the vehicle
