Trading Into a Dealer vs Selling a Car Privately

What’s Best for You?

When it’s time to part with your current car, you’ve got two main options: trade it in to a dealership or sell it privately on DoneDeal. Both routes come with pros and cons, and the right choice depends on your priorities speed, convenience, or maximising value. Let’s break it down a little further:

Pros & Cons of Trading Into a Dealer

Pros:

• Convenience: It’s quick and hassle-free. Hand over your car, agree on a value, and drive away in your next one.

• Less admin: No ads, calls, texts, or test drives with strangers.

• Immediate offset: The trade-in value is deducted directly from the cost of your new vehicle, reducing the amount you pay or finance.

• Safer: No need to meet unknown buyers or worry about payments going wrong.

  
  

Cons:

• Lower price: Dealers typically offer less than you might get privately, to cover prep, warranty, and resale costs.

• Limited negotiation: The offer is based on trade value, not what you see cars listed for online.

Pros & Cons of Selling Privately

Pros:

• More money: You’ll likely get a higher price by cutting out the middleman.

• Full control: You set the price, vet buyers, and decide when to sell.

  
  

Cons:

• Time-consuming: Photographing, advertising, responding to messages, and arranging viewings takes time and effort.

• Safety risks: Meeting strangers and accepting payment can carry risk if not handled carefully.

• Delayed replacement: If you're planning to buy a new car, you’ll need to sell your current one first on DoneDeal or run two cars temporarily.

DoneDeal Choice Recommendation

If convenience, safety, and speed matter most then trading in is probably the best option for you. If you have time and want the best price, then selling privately can be more rewarding. It is important to consider your personal circumstances, timeframe, and tolerance for hassle before deciding. We wish you happy browsing on DoneDeal for your next vehicle.