I've sold my car - what now?

Congratulations on selling your car! Now it’s time to get it ready for collection and payment. 
The next steps are:

1. Accept offer
2. Document upload
3. Arrange collection
4. Collection
5. Payment

Accept offer

Once you've confirmed your offer, we let your purchasing dealer know. They can access your details at this point and may get in touch to introduce themselves.

Document upload

You need to upload copies of your ownership documents and a form of ID. Depending on your circumstances, the documents we ask for may vary. The standard list is:

1. Driving license
2. V5C log book
3. Bank details

But you may also be asked for:

1. Finance settlement letter (if selling on finance)
2. Letter of authority (if selling on behalf of someone else)
3. Proof of address (if the addresses on some of your documents don’t match)
4. Proof of purchase (if you’ve only owned the vehicle for a few months)

Once uploaded, our team reviews them. This is done within a day, although can take longer if we need you to resupply any document or provide additional ones. See our tips on how to get your documents reviewed and verified the first time.

Arranging collection

Once your documents have been checked, you can arrange a collection. You may have heard from your purchasing dealer by now, and some may have already discussed collection, but collection should not take place until after your documents have been reviewed.

Your dealer can choose to use our transport service, Motorway Move, to collect your vehicle, or manage the collection themselves.

• If they use our collection services, we will be in touch with you to find your preferred dates and times for collection.
• If they manage the collection themselves, they will be in touch with you to discuss the collection, and find a time that works best.

We will stay in touch throughout and be on hand to help, if needed.

Collection day

On the day of collection, the collection driver checks your vehicle to ensure it matches the profile you created. They may also ask to take it for a test drive. 

What you need to have to hand on the day:

If you are the registered keeper of the vehicle:

• V5C vehicle registration document (your log book).
• MOT certificate (if your car needs one, i.e., it is three or more years old).
• All spare keys.
• Photo ID (driving licence or passport).
• Proof of address – a utility bill (gas, electricity, or water), bank statement, or council tax statement. The address shown must match the address on the V5C document.
• Authority from your finance company, if applicable. If you have any finance on your car, we need a letter from the finance company confirming the final settlement figure.
• Service record book, car handbook, locking wheel nuts (if you have them), radio and key codes, if applicable.
• Your UK bank details (or that of the registered keeper).
• Sufficient fuel – car dealers don’t require a full tank of fuel, but please ensure there is enough so the fuel light is not on.
• If you have an electric vehicle, please make sure it is fully charged.

If you are not the registered keeper of the vehicle:

All the items above, plus:

• Written authorisation from the registered keeper that you are able to sell the car.
• Photo ID (driving licence or passport) of the registered keeper.

Price changes

There won’t be any last-minute negotiations at collection, as long as you’ve listed your car accurately, including declaring all damage, service history, and accessories. 

However, if additional damage is found, your purchasing dealers or representative may reduce their offer, providing you with the reason why. It’s up to you to decide if you are willing to accept their proposed price. We're here to support you in the event this happens, so please call or chat with us with any issues.

Your service fee is calculated on the final price at collection. If you choose not to proceed with the sale, there’s no fee to pay.

Payment and service fee

In most cases, dealers use our in-house payment system, Motorway Pay, to send payment for your car. It’s fast and secure for both you and the dealer. In this case, your service fee is automatically deducted from your final payment. The dealer sends your payment right on the doorstep, which can reach your bank account within a few minutes. 

If your dealer makes a bank transfer directly to your account, you’ll need to pay the service fee after your sale. We’ll email you with a secure, online payment link once your sale is complete. Read our full guide on service fees here.

Important things to note

• You'll need to then tell the DVLA you’ve sold the car, along with the details of the buyer. If you don't, you might not get the full entitlement of any car tax refund you're due. For full information, visit the DVLA's website and learn about transferring ownership when selling your vehicle on Motorway here.
• If you have a private plate and are planning on keeping it, you'll need to contact DVLA for a new V5C logbook and VV8 form.