Frequently Asked Questions
How to sell my car in Coventry with Bristol Street Motors
Selling your car in Coventry with Bristol Street Motors has never been easier. Get your free instant valuation by simply entering your reg online. Your personalised valuation is valid for seven days. Then pop into your local Coventry dealership so that we can confirm the condition of your car. All paperwork will also be completed, and the payment processed during this visit.
What paperwork do I need to sell my car in Coventry?
To make the process as smooth as possible, make sure you bring the following items:
- Vehicle Registration Document (V5C) with your name as the seller on it
- Service history records for the car
- Valid driving licence
- Bank statement, addressed to your name and current home address, dated within the last three months
- All keys your vehicle should have, including spares
- Vehicle accessories, such as the user manual or locking wheel nut key
What to be careful of when selling a car
A crucial step is ensuring your car is in the condition described. Your valuation can change depending on the condition of the vehicle. Having a complete service history that can be proved with receipts and dealer stamps can improve the value of your vehicle too. Making sure you have all the correct accessories with your car can also help.
What do I do with the V5C when I sell my car to a dealer?
When you sell your car to the dealership, you hand over your vehicle's V5C document. You will fill out the 'selling, transferring or part exchanging this vehicle to a motor trader' section. This will confirm ownership is given to the Bristol Street Motors dealership.
Can I sell my car from anywhere in Coventry?
You can. Thanks to how straightforward our Sell My Car feature is, you can get a free, instant valuation from the comfort of your living room. Simply enter your reg and complete the process. Once confirmed, you will visit your local Bristol Street Motors dealership to process the payment and paperwork. Easy!
Is selling a car with Bristol Street Motors free?
It is! We don't charge admin fees or charge for a valuation. Selling your car is free with Bristol Street Motors.
Is it worth selling my car to a dealer?
Choosing whether to sell privately or through a dealer is one of the first choices you'll make when selling your car. By selling to us, you ensure a routine, stress-free experience and you know you're getting a fair deal.
How much time does it take to sell my car with Bristol Street Motors?
At Bristol Street Motors, we're focused on making the process stress-free and straightforward. Our instant valuation is valid for seven days, to give you time to make your decision. Once you've decided, the dealership visit to process the paperwork will take as little as an hour. Then your money will be sent to your account in three to five working days.
How and when will I be paid for my car?
Your payment will be made by bank transfer and will take three to five working days to appear in your account. This will be taken care of during the dealership appointment.
Can I sell my car on finance?
Yes! With our help, you'll be able to sell your financed car without a hitch. The process will vary depending on the type of financial cover you have. Our aim is to give you complete peace of mind throughout the process.
If I sell my car, can I keep the insurance running and my number plate?
Keeping your private plate is just a matter of applying to the DVLA with a V778 retention document. The DVLA will then give you ten years to put it on your next vehicle.
Leaving your insurance running on a car that's not yours is never advised. You don't receive any benefit from doing it, as you simply waste your money. If the new buyer gets into an accident while your insurance is running on it, you could be liable too.
If I sell my car, do I have to pay taxes in the UK?
Not at the moment. Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is applied to specified possessions over £6,000. Thankfully for private car sellers right now, private car sales don't fall under the 'specified possessions' category. Instead, they include:
- Taxis
- Racing cars
- Single-seat sports cars
- Vans, lorries and commercial vehicles
Can I sell my car to Bristol Street Motors without buying a new one?
Of course you can. We don't hold you under any obligation to buy your next car with us after selling your old one. We will simply hand your money over for the worth of your old car, no strings attached.
What happens if I sell my car with a private plate?
There are a couple of options if you have a private plate on your vehicle:
- Ownership of the plate can be transferred to the buyer of the vehicle.
- You can apply to the DVLA with a V778 document to retain the registration plate.
Once it has been confirmed that the plate is yours, you have up to ten years to assign it to a new car. Plenty of time!