Sell a Car Privately or to a Dealer in Ireland?

What a private sale involves

You decide the asking price, prepare the advert, answer enquiries and arrange viewings. You also need to check suitable insurance arrangements before a test drive and agree a secure payment and ownership-transfer process.

There may be room to achieve more than a dealer offer, particularly if the car is well presented and you have time to wait for the right buyer. The advertised figure is not guaranteed, though: enquiries may not become appointments and a buyer may negotiate.

• Prepare photographs and an accurate advert
• Allow time for enquiries and viewings
• Decide how to manage test drives and payment
• Agree and document the final sale

What a dealer’s purchase offer represents

A dealer buying the car for resale has to allow for preparation, possible repairs, stockholding costs, business overheads and margin. That is why a purchase offer will often be below the price of a similar car advertised by a dealer.

The amount you are offered should be clear about inspection conditions, collection costs and any finance settlement. With Give Me The Reg, you can sell without buying another vehicle. Collection is free within Leinster after an agreed purchase, and payment is by AIB bank transfer.

Compare offers on the same basis

Check whether an offer is for the car as it stands or assumes repairs, a new NCT or a complete service history. A higher conditional figure may leave you with more to spend before the buyer will pay it.

If you are also changing cars, compare a trade-in deal using the total cost to change, including the replacement car’s price. A large trade-in allowance on its own does not tell you whether the overall deal is better.

• Is the price subject to inspection or further conditions?
• Are there advertising, preparation or collection costs?
• When is payment confirmed?
• What will remain after any finance settlement?

Choose the route that suits your priorities

If maximising the possible sale price matters most and you can manage the work, a private advert may be worth considering. If you value a direct decision and fewer arrangements, get a dealer offer and decide whether the difference is worthwhile for you.

You do not have to commit to find out what we would pay. Request a free valuation, compare it with the alternatives and ask about the conditions. We confirm the final figure after inspection and history checks, before you decide to complete the sale.

Useful next steps

• Get a direct purchase offer
• Understand asking prices and valuations
• Dublin collection and inspection options