Thinking about selling your car from home? You’re not alone. Thousands of people every year decide to take the DIY route — avoiding middlemen and keeping that little bit of extra profit for themselves. But selling a car privately can feel daunting if you’ve never done it before. So, we’ve pulled together some real-world advice from our Honest Cars NE video series to help you prepare, photograph and sell your car confidently — just like the pros at Redgate Lodge, Newcastle’s leading used car dealership.
Step 1: Choose the Right Car to Sell
If you’re starting out, begin with something simple, reliable and easy to prepare. Small, well-loved hatchbacks like the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa or Hyundai i10 make ideal first sales. They’re affordable to buy, easy to maintain, and always in demand.
Our own Will started small — selling a tidy Fiesta from home before moving on to a Corsa and a Hyundai i10. The key is to look for cars that are mechanically sound, have a good service history, and need only light cosmetic work. You don’t need to be a mechanic, but you do need to know a good one, like our specialist team at our Bosch Service Centre in Newcastle.
Step 2: Get the Car Ready for Sale
Preparing your car properly is what separates the amateurs from the experts. A clean, well-presented car always sells faster — and for more money.
At Redgate Lodge, we treat every car the same way, whether it’s an economic run-around or a £60,000 M3. Give your car a proper valet inside and out, check all fluids and tyre pressures, and make small cosmetic fixes that make a big difference.
Simple touches like polishing the wiper arms, spraying wheel trims silver and painting the steel wheels black behind them instantly make a car look fresher. Remove stickers and personal touches — that Scooby-Doo decal might have made you smile, but it won’t help your resale value!
If there’s a small dent or scratch, get a paintless dent repair or a smart repair done, as carried out by our team of Technicians at our Bodyshop in Newcastle. These are affordable and make the car look loved, not neglected.
Step 3: Give It a Proper Mechanical Check
Before you list your car for sale, make sure it’s roadworthy. Nothing kills a sale quicker than a buyer finding a fault on the test drive.
Check your MOT status, tyres, brakes, and fluids. Listen out for noises from suspension, clutches or gearboxes. Our Bosch Car Service Centre team check everything from wheel bearings to brake pads to make sure a car’s safe before it’s handed over.
Even if you’re selling privately, a quick service (oil, filter, and brakes) will give buyers confidence. And if your car’s recently had a new clutch, service or MOT, make sure to mention it — these are great selling points.
Step 4: Take Brilliant Photos That Sell
Photography is everything when it comes to selling cars online. Whether you’re listing on Facebook Marketplace, Auto Trader or both, your pictures are what grab attention.
Here’s how to take dealer-quality photos at home:
• Pick your location carefully – avoid cluttered driveways. A clean car park, office block or industrial backdrop works best.
• Shoot on a bright day, but not direct sunlight – it highlights scratches.
• Get low angles – crouch down to make the car look more dynamic.
• Capture every side – front three-quarter, rear, both sides, interior, boot, and engine bay.
• Mind your shadows – if you’re appearing in them, step back and zoom in instead.
• Straighten seats and lower headrests – presentation matters!
As Will says, “You can have the best car in the world, but if your photos are rubbish, it won’t sell.”
Step 5: Write an Honest Description
Your listing should tell buyers what they need to know without the waffle. Be honest about condition — that builds trust. Include:
• Make, model, year, mileage
• MOT and service details
• Number of owners
• Recent work (new tyres, clutch, etc.)
• Key features (air-con, Bluetooth, alloys)
• Condition notes (any small marks or wear)
Use positive phrasing: “Clean, reliable car with great service history and long MOT” sounds far better than “a bit rough but runs alright.”
And don’t forget your keywords: people search for “cheap used cars,” “first car,” or “low mileage hatchback,” so naturally weave those into your advert.
Step 6: Price It Right
Research is key. Look on Auto Trader or Facebook for cars of the same make, model, year and mileage to see what they’re selling for.
Price your car realistically — slightly below market value if you want a quick sale, or mid-range if you’re happy to wait. Remember, buyers love a small bit of negotiation room, so build that into your price.
Step 7: Handle Enquiries Professionally
Once your ad is live, you’ll start getting messages. Reply quickly, be polite and answer questions clearly. Arrange viewings in a safe, public place and always accompany test drives.
Have your documents ready — V5C logbook, MOT certificate, service history, and receipts for any work done. The more prepared you are, the more professional you’ll look.
Step 8: Close the Deal
When it’s time to sell, agree the price clearly before signing anything. Accept payment via bank transfer where possible — it’s instant and traceable. Once the money’s in your account, complete the DVLA online logbook transfer with the buyer.
Hand over the keys, documents, and service book, and that’s it — you’ve officially sold your car!
Step 9: Reflect, Learn, and Repeat
Every sale is a learning curve. As Will found out with his first few cars, you’ll pick up little tricks along the way — from how to spot good stock to which angles sell best in photos.
And who knows? That one-off sale might just turn into a new hobby or even a business. After all, most of the successful dealers we’ve met started selling cars from home.
Final Thoughts
Selling your car from home doesn’t have to be stressful. With a bit of time, care and honesty, you can make the process smooth, professional and even enjoyable.
At Redgate Lodge, we believe in doing things the honest way — preparing cars properly, photographing them beautifully, and being transparent with buyers. Follow these steps and you’ll not only sell your car faster, but you’ll earn the reputation of someone who does it right.