- A + A print
Home > Motoring > Buying & Selling > Selling advice >  

How to sell


How to sell your car

sample

There are four ways you can sell your car, each with pros and cons. The best option for you depends on how keen you are to get the highest possible price.

Method Advantages Disadvantages
Private sale
  • Can usually get the best price
  • Taking phone calls
  • Negotiating face to face
  • 'No shows'
  • Home phone number and car details are published
Auction
  • Usually fast & easy
  • No negotiating with buyers or sellers
  • You won't get your best price
  • You're charged an entry fee
  • There's commission payable on sale price to the auction house
Trade-in
  • Generally fast & easy
  • A dealer won't give you what you could sell it for privately
Consignment
  • It's sold for you
  • You won't get the best price as the seller takes a cut

Once the vehicle is sold

Documentation

When a used car changes hands, the registration has to be transferred from the seller to the buyer. Make sure your documents are in order for a smooth transfer.

NSW

It's the buyer's responsibility to make sure the registration is transferred according to the law. But don't rely on this! Make sure you fill out the seller's disposal notice and submit it to the RTA as soon as possible. Ask the RTA for a stamped photocopy. If the new owner doesn't transfer the registration and gets a traffic fine, you then have proof you are no longer the owner.

The seller must provide the buyer with:

  • the current certificate of registration, signed in the appropriate place as 'the disposer'
  • a roadworthiness inspection report (pink slip) not more than 42 days old at date of sale


The seller is then required to:

  • complete, tear off and send the 'Notice of Disposal' section of the car's Certificate of Registration to the nearest Motor Registry.
  • The buyer must, within 14 days of purchase date, provide in person at the nearest Motor Registry:
  • proof of identity
  • an 'Application for Transfer of Registration' form
  • the Certificate of Registration
  • the roadworthiness inspection report (pink slip)
  • transfer and stamp duty fees

ACT

The seller must provide the buyer with:

  • the signed, current registration certificate

The buyer must, within 14 days, provide in person:

  • a passed, vehicle inspection report, if the car is more than six years old
  • the signed, current registration certificate
  • a current ACT photo licence or primary and secondary proof of identity
  • proof that the car is normally kept in the ACT.

Issuing a receipt

Save time and print out our used car sellers' receipt (PDF 157KB/1 page). Simply fill in the appropriate details.

For more information call NRMA Motoring Advice on 13 11 22.

Find a review

Search through hundreds of car reviews
Make
Model
Year
Review type

Service Finder

  • Car Maintenance

  • Emergency Maintenance

  • Products & Services

Online Shop

Join thousands of others following NRMA

  • rss

    RSS

  • rss

    Twitter