How To Sell A Car On Finance

Selling a car on finance is not short of its pitfalls.

Depending on what type of hire purchase you have, the contract for selling a car with payment differs.

In most cases, you must have proof that your insurance provider has released all interest in the vehicle.

Below we will explore how to sell a finance car, what steps you need to take, the different types of hire purchases, and how to find the best price.

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Selling A Car On Finance: Type's Of Car Finance And Contract Leasing

Selling a car on finance isn’t as easy as removing a scrap car or putting up your car for salvage.

Firstly, to define a car in finance, we must understand the types of cars in finance and how they differ – As shown below by the different finance types.

In summary, selling a financed car isn’t as straightforward as selling an owned vehicle. Your options depend on the type of finance agreement you have and the terms associated with it.

In addition, if your vehicle has been written off by your insurance and assigned a category. This will also impact the next steps you can take for your car.

If you’re asking yourself, “Can I sell my financed car?” make sure you’ve reviewed your contract’s details thoroughly and consult your finance provider to avoid unwanted surprises.

  • Selling a Car on Hire Purchase

    A Hire Purchase (HP) agreement typically requires an upfront deposit, usually around 10%, followed by repayments plus interest over a set period.

    While this system provides the benefit of owning the car outright at the end of the loan period, selling the car before this time requires the lender’s permission.

    Potential pitfalls include repossession if a payment is missed, potentially higher costs compared to a bank loan, and uncertain service inclusion. Therefore, always carefully review all terms and conditions.

    If considering selling an HP-financed car, it is crucial to communicate with the lender to understand any limitations or conditions that might apply.

  • Selling a Car on Personal Contract Purchase

    Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) plans are appealing due to the low monthly instalments and flexibility at the end of the term.

    At the end of this period, you can choose to pay a lump sum (‘balloon payment’) to buy the car outright, return the vehicle, or sell it privately to cover the remaining balance.

    It’s a suitable choice for individuals who prefer to change their cars regularly.

    However, be cautious with PCP, as sticking to agreed mileage limits and maintaining the car’s condition are essential to avoid penalties.

    Moreover, it might not be as cost-effective as HP if you intend to keep the car. Therefore, when planning to sell a car on PCP, ensure you factor in these considerations to avoid unnecessary costs or penalties.

  • Selling a Leased Car (Contract Hire)

    Much like a PCP agreement, Personal Leasing (contract hire) involves low monthly payments but comes without the option to buy the car.

    The overall leasing cost is determined by the type of car, contract length, and agreed mileage limits.

    Despite the convenience and flexibility, you may have to pay a significant upfront deposit and adhere to strict mileage limits.

    Before selling a leased car, it is important to check your contract’s terms and conditions and consult with the leasing company to understand any fees or penalties associated with ending the contract early.

  • 0% Finance Deals: Are They Worth It?

    Often advertised to encourage the sale of slow-moving or outgoing models, ‘0%’ finance deals can seem like an attractive option. These deals can be affordable, as no interest is charged on your monthly repayments.

    However, they usually require a large deposit and may restrict further price negotiation. If a payment is missed, the scheme typically switches to a higher interest rate.

    If you’re considering selling a car purchased through a ‘0%’ finance deal, be aware that you may need to cover the remaining balance, which could be larger than expected due to the hefty upfront deposit.

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How To Sell A Car On Finance: A Step-By-Step Process

While it may seem like a complex task, selling a car with outstanding finance is a perfectly manageable process.

If you’re considering this option, it’s important to understand that we can buy your car, even if you’re still making repayments. Here’s a simple guide on how to navigate through this situation and what you need to do.

Selling Your Car with Outstanding Finance

Even with outstanding finance, selling your car is a viable option. After receiving our offer, the next step involves contacting your finance company.

It’s crucial to ask them if they will accept our offer against the total amount owed.

To proceed with the sale, we require written permission to salvage your vehicle. Once granted, you can settle the remaining balance with your finance company by their terms and conditions.

Here’s What We Require From You

We need some crucial information from you to make the process as smooth as possible. This includes:

  • Finance Company Details: The bank account details of your finance company, accompanied by a reference number.
  • Confirmation Letter: An email or letter from your finance company stating they will release all interest in the vehicle upon the completion of the payment.

Our knowledgeable team is ready to support you every step of the way. For further assistance or any questions you may have, feel free to call us on 01706 577574.

Together, we can make the process of selling your car, even with outstanding finance, straightforward and hassle-free.

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The Challenges When Selling A Car On Finance

Navigating the intricacies of selling a financed car can present several hurdles.

These can range from settling the outstanding debt to securing the lender’s permission, all the way to finding a trustworthy buyer who understands the complexities of purchasing a financed vehicle.

When the car in question is an insurance write-off, the challenges can further compound.

Here are some key considerations to bear in mind:

  • The Pitfalls of Selling a Financed Car

    One significant obstacle in selling a financed car involves clearing any remaining debt. Often, the sale proceeds may not be sufficient to cover this amount, requiring you to make up the difference.

    The procedure is even more complex when the car is a write-off since only specialist damaged car buyers are typically willing to purchase such vehicles.

    In addition, a financed car sale requires specific legal permissions and a higher degree of buyer trust, which can sometimes be hard to achieve.

    Further, the presence of outstanding finance can impact the car’s attractiveness to potential buyers, which might affect the sale price. And let’s not forget the potential issue of negative equity, where your outstanding loan surpasses the car’s current market value.

  • The Write-off Factor: A Specialist's Game

    Selling a car that has been written off by an insurance company introduces another layer of complexity.

    Not all buyers are willing to invest in a written-off vehicle due to the costs and work involved in repairing it.

    However, specialist damaged car buyers can see the potential value and are more likely to offer a fair price.

    As such, if you’re looking to sell a cat s car or even find a buyer to purchase your faulty car, a specialist may be the solution for you.

  • The Role of Expert Brokering

    Securing the best price for your financed car, particularly a written-off one, necessitates careful sourcing and brokering. Having a trusted expert on your side to facilitate this process can be a game-changer.

    They can help you navigate the market, avoiding the hassle and haggle of contacting unlicensed dealers who may attempt to unfairly lower the price.

    Avoid falling into the trap of “tyre kickers” – buyers who show interest only to nitpick and negotiate aggressively, reducing your car’s price far below its value.

    With a professional broker, you can be confident in obtaining a fair price from local buyers, making the process smoother and more profitable.

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Maximizing Value: How to Get the Best Price for a Financed Car

Selling a car on finance can be a challenging task, but with the right approach, you can secure a fair price that meets your expectations and those of your insurance provider.

Here’s how you can make this process seamless and ensure you get the best possible offer for your financed car,listed below.

Selling a financed car doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. By being transparent, detail-oriented, and engaging with specialist buyers, you can ensure you secure a fair price for your vehicle.

  • Complete Transparency is Key

    When it comes to selling your financed car, remember that knowledge is power.

    The more information you can provide about your vehicle, the better the chance of securing a fair deal.

    This involves details like the vehicle’s make, model, age, condition, and any specific issues it may have. Transparency fosters trust, making prospective buyers more comfortable in offering their prices.

  • Emphasize on Details

    Engage with your potential buyers emotionally by presenting a thorough and engaging history of your vehicle.

    Highlight its unique features, journey, and reasons why it would make a fantastic purchase.

    This not only provides enhanced information that could trigger higher offers, but it also makes the sale more personal, encouraging buyers to see beyond the figures.

  • Show, Don't Just Tell

    A picture is worth a thousand words, especially when selling a financed car.

    Encourage specialist damaged car buyers to see the value in your vehicle by providing them with high-quality images.

    This will ensure they don’t ‘buy blind’ and are able to make an informed decision based on the car’s current condition.

    Well-lit, clear, and detailed photos can make a significant difference in attracting buyers and securing higher bids.

  • Find Specialist Salvage Car Dealers

    Rely on specialist damaged car buyers who are experienced in dealing with financed cars.

    These buyers understand the unique circumstances surrounding such sales and can offer competitive prices that an ordinary buyer may not.

    They are also more likely to agree with your insurance provider’s valuation, making the process smoother and more efficient.

Seize the Opportunity: Sell Your Car with Outstanding Finance Today!

Are you keen on selling your car with outstanding finance? Look no further than Scrap Local. Our network of salvage specialists and damaged car buyers are skilled in dealing with insurance write-offs, cars on finance, and modern salvage. We offer a simple, fast, and reliable service that guarantees you peace of mind and the best possible price for your car.

Your Advantage with Scrap Local

Not only do we guarantee prices upon online assessment, but we also ensure fast collection, sometimes even on the same day! Plus, we’ll take care of all the necessary paperwork and documentation to provide a seamless, hassle-free experience for you.

How to Sell Your Financed Car in 3 Steps.

  1. Instant Online Valuation: Enter your registration number on our website to get an immediate, no-obligation valuation of your car. We will ask for more images and information to secure you an even better offer from our salvage buyers.
  2. Free Pick-up or Drop-off: we provide a convenient pick-up service nationwide with our local buyers.
  3. Instant Payment: As soon as you hand over your car to us, the payment is processed instantly and transferred directly into your bank account.

Benefits of Selling Your Car to Us

If your car’s valuation is higher than your outstanding finance (positive equity), we will buy your car. In cases of negative equity where the outstanding finance is higher than your car’s valuation, we offer the option to part exchange.

We ensure:

  • No Price Chipping: Provided your car matches the description you give us, we won’t change our offer – Gauranteed with no hidden fees.
  • Fast Process: Get your car picked up or drop it off in as little as 24 hours.
  • Paperwork Provided

So, why wait? Seize the opportunity to sell your car with outstanding finance today! Enter your registration number on our website to get started. Enjoy the convenience, speed, and reliability of our service.

Say goodbye to the stress of selling your financed car and let Scrap Local handle it for you.

Question's On Selling A Car On Finance

Here are some popular question’s on Selling a car on finance.

  • Can I sell my car if I still have finance outstanding

    Yes, you can sell your financed car if the amount you owe is less than the car’s valuation. Scrap Local offers a quick and easy process to assist you with this.

  • What is the process of selling my financed car with Scrap Local?

    The process involves three steps: get an instant online valuation, arrange a free drop-off or pick-up of your vehicle, and receive instant payment on the handover day.

  • What happens if the amount I owe is higher than the car's valuation?

    If your outstanding finance is higher than your car’s valuation (known as negative equity), we currently offer the option for you to part exchange your car instead.

  • Will the price change after I've received my online valuation

    As long as your car matches the description you’ve given us, there will be no price chipping. The initial valuation is guaranteed for seven days.

    How fast can I expect the process to be? Scrap Local ensures a speedy process. We can pick up your car or have you drop it off in as little as 48 hours, and you’ll receive instant payment on the handover day.

  • Does Scrap Local deal with damaged cars or insurance write-offs?

    Yes, Scrap Local’s network includes salvage specialists and damaged car buyers who handle insurance write-offs, cars on finance, and modern salvage vehicles.

  • What information should I provide about my car for the best valuation?

    To get the best price, provide as much information as possible, including your car’s make, model, age, condition, any specific issues, and high-quality photos showcasing its current state.

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