The Ultimate Guide to Selling Your Car in Ireland

When the time comes to sell your car, it can be daunting knowing where to start. You may have questions about how to best sell your car and concerns about how to do it safely.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ve put together everything you need to know about how to sell your car in Ireland - like where to sell it, preparing your car for sale, how to get the best price for it and all the paperwork you will need for a safe and legal sale.

We’ve also talked to experts to get the lowdown on selling a car and how best to do it. So, whether you’re upgrading to a new car, downsizing or simply no longer need a car, our Chill guide will walk you through everything you need to know and keep things easy and stress-free.

Where To Sell Your Car

When it comes to where to sell your car, there are a few options. You can sell it to a dealer, perhaps as part of a trade-in if you’re buying a new or used car from them. This typically is the most straightforward way to do it.

There are also sites like AutoBuy and ZuCar who will value your car and make you an offer without you having to buy a car from them.

Or you can sell your car privately, which can be more time-consuming but could get you a better price for it in the end.

If you opt to sell it privately, you will need to create an online listing to advertise your car. There are several car sales websites that offer this service like CarZone, CarsIreland and DoneDeal.

When Is The Best Time To Sell Your car

Martin O’Neill of car sales website CarZone says that summer is typically the ideal time to sell your car.

“But if you have to sell outside of the summer months, it’s best to list your car around the beginning of the month when many buyers have just been paid and may be more motivated to make a purchase,” he says.

Pricing Your Car

Before you list your car, you will need to know its market value and price it accordingly. Research the market using online car sales websites that provide an overview of cars for sale from dealers and private sellers to find out how other cars like yours are priced.

Some Irish websites like Autobuy also offer a car valuation tool, which will give you the estimated market value of your car. All you must do is input some basic information about your car. Bear in mind that there are several factors that can affect the price.

“When we value a car, we look at a combination of factors – the age, mileage, overall condition and service history are always key,” says Mark Mooney, Founder and Managing Director of Autobuy, a division of Mooney's Hyundai who have been selling cars in Dublin since 1973.

“We’ll also check the market demand for that particular make and model and compare it to current trade-in and retail values. If the car has been well maintained, with no signs of damage or missing documentation, it will always stand out.

At the end of the day, our goal is to give a fair and realistic price that reflects both the value of the car and the costs involved in getting it ready for resale.”

How To Price Your Car To Sell

Price your car realistically but avoid underpricing it as to a buyer that might suggest an issue with the vehicle. Remember if your car has unique features, new tyres, fresh NCT or low mileage, you might be able to justify a higher asking price.

“Do your research to gauge how much the vehicle should go on the market for,” says Martin O’Neill, Carzone.ie. “You can also use our free evaluation tool to get the typical market value by simply entering your registration.”

Preparing Your Car For Sale

First impressions matter, especially when it comes to selling a vehicle. You want your car to look its best for potential buyers, whether that’s a dealer or a private buyer coming to view the car. Preparing your car properly increases your chances of making a quick sale and getting a good price for it.

“My advice to anyone looking to trade in their car is to present it as well as possible,” says Mark Mooney, Autobuy.

“A clean, well-maintained car with a full service history will always make a better impression. Even small touches like replacing worn tyres or fixing minor issues, can make a difference.

It’s also important to have all keys, manuals, and paperwork ready to show that the car has been properly looked after.

A well-prepared car gives us more confidence in its condition, which can ultimately lead to a stronger valuation.”

Clean Inside And Out

• Wash the outside thoroughly, including the wheels and underbody. There are special products you can buy to remove brake dust from alloy wheels for example.
• Clean the interior and don’t forget to clean places that gather dust and grime easily like cupholders and other storage areas. Wipe the dashboard and pay special attention to cleaning the parts you touch frequently like the steering wheel.
• Remove all rubbish from the car and take out personal items like child seats before test drives.
• If you really want to make a great first impression or your car is particularly dirty, you could consider a professional valet.

Fix Any Issues

• Small repairs can go a long way towards how you present the vehicle for sale and the buyer’s opinion of it.
• Consider repairing any small scratches or dents, make sure all the lights are working and fix anything that’s broken or worn-out like wiper blades.

Book A Service And Ensure NCT Is Up To Date

• To ensure your car is in top condition, have it serviced before advertising and keep the invoice to show prospective buyers.
• If it’s due an NCT soon, get that done too. A valid NCT is a major selling point and shows that the car is safe and roadworthy.

Gather Your Documentation

Gather all the documentation you need to sell your car in Ireland legally. Place them all in one folder so you have everything together.

What You Need To Sell Your Car

• Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC) also known as the logbook
• NCT certificate to show your car’s roadworthiness
• Service history including records of oil changes, tyre replacements and any major repairs
• Receipts for recent work or new parts
• Any warranty documents if applicable.

Advertise Your Car

After all that, it’s time to advertise your car if you’re selling your car privately. A well-crafted ad can mean the difference between weeks of waiting and a quick sale.

What To Include In Your Advert

1. Detailed Description Of The Car

• State your car’s make, model, year, engine/battery size, mileage, NCT and tax expiry dates, service history, number of owners, features and your asking price.
• Highlight any modifications or features that make it stand out.
• Avoid using acronyms that not everyone might understand like FSH (full service history).

“Be up-front in your ad about any small issues with the car like a scratch or worn tyre because it makes your advert seem honest and trustworthy,” says Martin O’Neill, Carzone.ie.

2. Good Quality Photos

• Make sure the windows are up and take photos of different angles of the car like the front, back and side, as well as the wheels, boot, back seat, interior and dashboard with mileage.
• Make the car the sole focus of the photos with no distractions in the background.
• Take photos in an empty car park or other isolated location in good light for the most flattering finish.
• Don’t hide the number plate as potential buyers may want to run a car history check before making an enquiry.

“Images are one of the most important aspects of your advert,” says Martin. “Choose a bright, dry day and take pictures from all angles, making sure to highlight special features such as optional extras, infotainment systems or alloy wheel condition.”

3. Your Contact Details

• Make it easy for people to get in touch with you by including your full contact details.
• Mention your preferred method of contact and availability for viewings.

Arranging Viewings And Test Drives

Once your ad is live, you’ll hopefully begin getting calls and messages from potential buyers. Aim to respond to enquiries quickly and be honest about the car’s history and condition when asked.

Tips For Arranging Viewings/Test Drives:

• Meet in a public, well-lit area like a shopping centre or filling station with CCTV around if you want to be extra safe.
• Bring someone with you like a friend or family member.
• Ask to see the buyer’s driver’s licence before allowing a test drive and make sure it’s valid.
• Always go along for the test drive. Don’t hand over the keys to your car without supervision and make sure to separate your house key from your car key.
• Let the buyer choose their own test drive route unless they ask you.
• Ensure your insurance policy or the buyer’s covers test drives, or the buyer may need to arrange temporary cover.

Negotiating And Finalising The Sale

The buyer will likely want to haggle with you over the asking price. Before negotiating, know the lowest price you are willing to accept and stick with it.

Once you’ve agreed on a price with a buyer, you’ll need to finalise the sale, take payment and do the legal transfer of ownership.

How To Take Payment

• A bank transfer is the safest option. Always wait for the funds to clear before handing over the car or paperwork.
• Only accept cash as payment in a bank where you can count and deposit the money immediately and check for counterfeit notes.
• Avoid cheques and online payment links, which could be fraudulent.
• Write two copies of a sales receipt: one for you and one for the buyer with the names and addresses of buyer and seller, vehicle details (make, model, registration number and mileage), sale price and payment method, date and time of sale. Make sure they are signed by both the buyer and the seller.

Transfer Ownership

Before selling your car, get familiar with the forms you’ll need to transfer your car's ownership and make sure you’ve got your Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC) or logbook handy.

Transferring ownership is a legal requirement and can be done through the Online Change of Vehicle Ownership service or at Motortax.ie. This replaces the need to post the Vehicle Registration Certificate or visit a motor tax office in person.

Follow the prompts to complete the ownership change. Once confirmed, the buyer will receive a new VRC in the post.

How To Sell Your Car Safely

When selling your car privately, you need to be extra vigilant about scams and fraud. Here are our tips to protect yourself while selling your car:

• Always meet the buyer in person
• Never hand over keys or documents until you receive full payment for the car
• Don’t accept partial payments or deposits without a clear agreement
• Trust your gut. If something feels off, just walk away.

Inform Your Insurance Company

Once the car is sold and ownership transferred, you can cancel your insurance policy or transfer it to a new vehicle.

Our Final Thought

Selling your car in Ireland doesn’t have to be stressful or risky. With a bit of preparation, you can handle it confidently and securely. By using trusted websites and selling platforms, following up with paperwork and being vigilant against scams, you’ll be well on your way to a successful sale.

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