Skip advert
Advertisement

Haggling, time wasters and disputes over condition: the most common private car sale pitfalls

Selling a car privately can yield a better price than part-exchange, but our survey underlines that there are potential risks

Person inspecting a car's bodywork

Two thirds of motorists have never sold a car privately, with the fear of pesky hagglers potentially the biggest disincentive when it comes to going it alone in the car market.

That’s the takeaway from the latest survey by Auto Express which has shown that the prospect of dealing with low offers and buyers determined to negotiate hard on the asking price is the most common negative that potential sellers face.  

Advertisement - Article continues below

The survey revealed that 35 per cent of over 500 respondents had never sold a car privately. The 65 per cent who had engaged in a private car sale before revealed the most common pet hates around the process. It turns out that 28 per cent of those car sellers have encountered unreasonably low offers and haggling from buyers, making it the most common issue in the poll.

The next most commonly reported problem was that of no-shows; 17 per cent of those who had sold privately (11 per cent of the 509 people surveyed) encountered time wasters on their car-selling journey - people who arranged viewings or test drives but ultimately failed to show up. Almost one-in-10 (eight per cent) of sellers encountered disputes over their vehicle’s condition, while a surprising six per cent reported concerns about their personal safety when engaging with potential buyers.

While the majority of those surveyed who had sold a car privately (63 per cent) said they hadn’t encountered any of the most common private sale issues listed, the results do underline the range of pitfalls car owners face when navigating the open market on their own. 

Last year, there were over seven million used car transactions in the UK – up from the 2022 total but still down on pre-pandemic levels. Private sales remain hugely popular, particularly on lower-priced cars, but a part-exchange directly through a dealer or use of an online car selling service can help mitigate the risk of things going wrong. 

Did you know you can sell your car with Auto Express? Get the highest bid from our network of over 5,500 dealers and we'll do the rest. Click here to try Auto Express Sell My Car now...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Head of digital content

Steve looks after the Auto Express website; planning new content, growing online traffic and managing the web team. He’s been a motoring journalist, road tester and editor for over 20 years, contributing to titles including MSN Cars, Auto Trader, The Scotsman and The Wall Street Journal.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

How does mileage affect car value?
Volkswagen Golf Mk4 odometer

How does mileage affect car value?

Mileage is a big factor in car depreciation so let’s explain the effect that the miles on the clock have on the value of a car
Tips & advice
29 Sep 2025
When is the best time to sell a car?
Car keys being handed over to a car buyer

When is the best time to sell a car?

When selling a car, timing is crucial! We take a look at the best and worst times to sell your car…
Tips & advice
19 Aug 2025
How to SORN your car with the DVLA: full guide to avoid hefty fines
Rusty Toyota Corolla

How to SORN your car with the DVLA: full guide to avoid hefty fines

Taking your car off the road? You’ll need to abide by the 'SORN’ laws. Our guide explains all
Tips & advice
15 Jul 2025
Buy A Car
Auto Express Find a Car logo

Buy A Car

Expert guidance and our best car deals – stay ahead with Auto Express.
26 Mar 2025

Most Popular

Britain’s catalytic converter theft epidemic is nearly over
Mazda RX-8 catalytic converter

Britain’s catalytic converter theft epidemic is nearly over

Exclusive Auto Express data has revealed that catalytic converter thefts fell by an average of 98 per cent over the past three years – but criminals a…
News
17 Oct 2025
MG IM6 vs Tesla Model Y: has Tesla’s popular SUV finally met its match?
MG IM6 vs Tesla Model Y - front tracking

MG IM6 vs Tesla Model Y: has Tesla’s popular SUV finally met its match?

Should Tesla be worried by MG’s arrival in premium territory? Our M25 trip sets the scene for head-to-head
Car group tests
18 Oct 2025
High prices from Audi, BMW, Mercedes and others have opened the door to Chinese brands
Opinion - Chinese brands

High prices from Audi, BMW, Mercedes and others have opened the door to Chinese brands

China has become the third best-selling car-producing country in the UK, and Mike Rutherford thinks it’s only a matter of time before it passes Japan …
Opinion
19 Oct 2025