The average dealer trade-in offer in Ireland is 10–20% below market value. That’s €1,000–€3,000 you’re leaving on the table for the convenience of not dealing with private buyers. If you’re willing to put in a bit of effort, selling privately almost always gets you more.
Use our price checker to see what your car is actually worth on the market right now.
Step 1: Know What It’s Worth
Before listing, you need to know the market. Check:
- Motorly price checker — compares against 280,000+ live listings
- Depreciation calculator — where your car sits on the value curve
- DoneDeal and Carzone — what similar cars are listed for (not sold for — asking prices are 5–10% above selling prices)
Price it right from the start. Overpricing by €1,000 means your ad gets fewer clicks and sits longer. Price at market or 3–5% above to leave negotiation room.
Step 2: Prepare the Car
First impressions sell cars. Budget €50–150 for preparation:
- Wash and wax the exterior. Clean the wheels, dress the tyres.
- Deep clean the interior — vacuum, wipe surfaces, clean windows inside and out.
- Fix cheap issues — replace dead bulbs, top up fluids, inflate tyres correctly.
- If the NCT is due soon, get it done first. A fresh NCT removes a negotiation lever.
Step 3: Take Great Photos
Photos sell the car before the test drive. Here’s what works:
- Shoot in daylight — overcast days give the best even lighting
- Clean background — not your driveway. A quiet car park or scenic spot works better.
- 12–15 photos minimum: front, rear, both sides, each wheel, dashboard, seats, boot, engine bay, mileage display, service book, NCT disc
- Show any damage honestly — nothing kills trust faster than a buyer finding scratches you hid
Step 4: Write the Ad
Good ads include:
- Year, make, model, engine, transmission, mileage (in km)
- NCT expiry date and road tax cost
- Service history (full, partial, none — be honest)
- Number of previous owners
- Any recent work (tyres, brakes, timing belt)
- Reason for selling (not required, but builds trust)
Don’t write “must be seen” or “no time wasters” — these signal desperation.
Step 5: Where to List
- Motorly — free listing with market intelligence
- DoneDeal — biggest audience, €29.99/listing
- Carzone — second largest, similar pricing
- Facebook Marketplace — free, massive reach, but more time wasters
List on all of them. More eyeballs = faster sale.
Step 6: Handle Viewings & Negotiation
- Meet in a public, well-lit place. Never give your home address in the ad.
- Have all paperwork ready: logbook, NCT cert, service history, insurance disc
- Let them inspect the car properly. Rushing them raises suspicion.
- Know your bottom price before they arrive. Don’t make emotional decisions.
- Accept bank transfer or cash only. Never accept cheques.
Step 7: Complete the Sale
- Sign the Vehicle Registration Certificate (logbook) over to the buyer
- Complete the change of ownership form (RF200) on motortax.ie
- Notify your insurance company
- Cancel your direct debit for road tax if applicable
Ready to sell? List your car free on Motorly and reach thousands of buyers.