Selling a used vehicle

Selling your vehicle can feel like a tricky process. The easiest way to sell your vehicle is to a licensed motor dealer.

If you are selling a vehicle privately, knowing the steps to take before and after you find a buyer can make it a lot quicker and easier.

Selling an unregistered vehicle privately

If you are selling your vehicle unregistered, you do not need to have the vehicle inspected, but if you plan to move it you will need an unregistered vehicle permit to do so.

Selling a registered vehicle privately

When selling your registered vehicle privately, there are steps you need to take before you put it up for sale and when someone agrees to buy it.

Getting ready to sell your vehicle

• repair all the defects, or
• sell it to an auto dealer, or
• sell it to an auto parts dismantler, or
• sell it unregistered.

When you sell your vehicle

When you sell your vehicle make sure:

• you have a current inspection certificate (unless the vehicle is exempt from needing one). For most light vehicles this is a safety certificate (from an approved inspection station). For heavy vehicles, licensed tow trucks, buses and public passenger transport vehicles this is a Certificate of Inspection (COI) .
• you give the buyer's copy and registration transfer copy of the inspection certificate, or for an electronic certificate, a copy of the certificate or the certificate number. The new owner cannot transfer the registration without an inspection certificate, and you will remain liable for any tolls and fines for a vehicle registered in your name. There are also on-the-spot fines for not giving a current inspection certificate to the new owner when selling a vehicle.
• if your vehicle has gas fuel systems or other gas systems, you will need to get a gas certificate from an authorised gas installer—the issue date for your gas certificate must not be more than 3 months old when the registration is transferred.

If the registration is currently paid by direct debit, make sure you remove the registration from your direct debit so a payment is not deducted after you have sold your vehicle.

Transfer your registration

Find out how to transfer your registration.

Selling a heavy vehicle in the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS)

If you are selling a heavy vehicle participating in the NHVAS maintenance module you will need a COI unless the buyer is also in NHVAS and intends to add the vehicle to the maintenance module. More information on transferring the vehicle on the scheme is available from the NHVR.

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