Selling a Damaged Car – What You Need to Know

Before you put your car up for sale, it’s useful to get an estimate to repair the damage. If this is just cosmetic then it’ll likely be very affordable, and you may find it easier to sell for a competitive price. A mechanical failure or more significant body damage may cost more to repair than you’d gain from an increased sale price, so won’t be a good investment. Get a couple of quotes as costs can vary depending on the garage you go to.

Knowing what your car could be worth will help you decide whether it is worth repairing. You can look at the selling prices of a similarly spec’d models from the same year to see how much you could get if your car was in better condition, and then lower the price to reflect its damage. However, be prepared that you may need to negotiate on the final selling price.

If you’re looking for a specific selling price to go towards your new ride, it may take you a bit longer to sell your car privately. Struggling to get any interest? It might be worth taking a look at other selling options such as putting it in an auction or going through a dealer. Take a look at our handy guide on how to choose an asking price for your car for tips.

For a quick sale or if your car is not roadworthy, contacting a scrapyard may be a good option. It must be registered as an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) and there’ll be some paperwork to complete. After your car is scrapped, you’ll need to notify the DVLA using a Certificate of Destruction (CoD). This can be done at the scrapyard – you’ll just need to sign and keep it so you have proof that the car has been disposed of correctly. You’ll also need to show your ID to complete the sale.

The prices you’ll get are dependent on the car’s model, where you live and whether the car has resalable parts. After it’s been disposed of, you’ll be able to claim back any remaining months of road tax or insurance premiums you’ve already paid.

If you had an accident and your insurance company has written off the car, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t keep it. In older cars especially, even minor damage can cause your insurer to write off the car. There are various categories given to insurance write-offs, and if your vehicle is assessed to fall into C, D, N or S, you’ll have the option to buy it back. You can usually negotiate a good settlement figure from the insurer that’s reflective of the car’s worth. As long as the car is repaired to a roadworthy condition, you can use it again, which also means that you can sell it on. However, it will need to be declared as a write-off to the DVLA – you could face a fine if you fail to do so.

It’s important to always let prospective buyers know that the car was written off as this could affect their insurance premiums, and they may want a professional vehicle inspection to reassure them of its roadworthiness. If possible, make sure it has a valid MOT, too, as this will help you achieve a sale.

There’s no point misleading potential buyers only for them to be disappointed when they come to view your car; visits from unrealistic buyers will be a waste of your time and theirs. To avoid this, be upfront and clear in your advertising by showing the damage in photographs and include a detailed description. When you speak to a prospective buyer, make sure they’ve read the advert and understand the car’s flaws. It’s always a good idea to have all of your paperwork handy too, including any receipts for work carried out, to make it as easy as possible to make the sale.

Explain to the buyer if the car doesn’t run or have an MOT. They may need to arrange to transport it, which will have extra costs, so expect more negotiation on the selling price if this is the case. For more guidance, take a look at our tips on selling your car.

If your car is too good to be scrapped but you don’t want the hassle of selling it privately, you could consider putting it in an auction or using an online car buying company. You may end up getting a lower price than a private sale, but it should be more than a scrapyard will offer. You can get an estimate in just a couple of minutes by completing a few details online.

Both auctions and car buying sites will have administration charges to cover, so make sure you factor these in and read the fine print before agreeing on any deal. You may also be able to trade in your damaged car as part of a new purchase with a car dealer, which will offset some of the cost of your new car.

Selling your damaged car doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you’ve got a beat-up run-around or an insurance write-off, there are plenty of ways to find a buyer. By taking time to research the options, you’ll be able to make a sale that works well for you. Take a look at our handy info on how to sell your car to get the best deal for you.