Sell Your Car in Petersfield

Why Petersfield drivers are looking at a quicker way to sell

Living in and around Petersfield usually means the car does a lot of work. It handles the commute down the A3, the station run for the London and Portsmouth trains, the school drop-off and the trips along country lanes to the villages in the South Downs. When the time comes to move it on, few people want the sale to turn into a part-time job of its own. That is the main reason many local owners choose to sell your car in Petersfield through a car-buying service rather than going down the private route.

We are an independent guide, not a car buyer. We don't value cars, make offers or pay anyone. What we do is point you towards We Buy Any Car, a UK car-buying chain with more than 550 branches, and explain what to expect before you click through.

What a private sale really involves

A private sale can sometimes bring in a higher figure, and for some cars and some sellers it is worth the effort. It helps to be honest about what that effort looks like:

• Writing an advert and taking photos that show the car properly, in decent light.
• Answering messages, including the ones that never go anywhere.
• Arranging viewings and test drives, often in the evening or at weekends, with strangers.
• Haggling, then worrying about whether a payment is genuine before the car leaves your drive.
• Keeping the car clean, taxed and insured while you wait for the right buyer.

In a market town where plenty of people know each other, some sellers like the idea of a local sale. Others simply don't have the free evenings. If you would rather have a known process with a firm outcome, a car-buying service is worth a proper look.

The trade-off: speed against the last pound

Selling to a car buyer is about convenience. A buyer that has to cover its own costs and resell the car will generally offer less than a patient private buyer might eventually pay. What you get in return is certainty and speed: a free online valuation, an appointment at a branch, and payment into your bank account. You don't need to advertise or wait for the phone to ring. Whether that trade suits you depends on how much your time is worth and how soon you need the car gone.

Many sellers find the trade makes the most sense when the car is older, has a tired MOT history or is awkward to sell privately. WBAC buys cars in most conditions, including cars with no MOT or an expired one, cars that are SORN or off the road, non-runners, imports, cars with private plates, cars with damage and cars with outstanding finance. If your car has been on the drive since the last time anyone needed it, that flexibility matters.

Finance, plates and other complications

If you still owe money on the car, outstanding finance can normally be settled as part of the sale, so you don't have to clear it yourself before you start. You will usually need a settlement letter from your finance company. If there is a private plate on the car, mention it when you get your valuation and check what happens to it at the appointment. And if you're selling for a family member, a friend or a business, that is possible too, though it needs some extra paperwork.

There is also no obligation to sell once you have your valuation. You can look at the figure, compare it with other options and decide in your own time.