You can sell any car with a valid V5C that matches the number plates that are on the car you want to sell. You’ll need to make sure that your V5C is a red certificate and not a blue one.
If you have personalised plates that you’d like to keep, the car will need to have the original number plates attached and a matching valid V5C on the handover day. See how to update your V5C with original plates.
Some dealers may not accept cars that:
Are different from the description you gave us
Have issues identified by a car history check
Have extensive damage or are beyond repair
Have structural damage such as to the sill, roof or boot floor
Have dents larger than a football or holes in the panel
Have electrical damage, such as to the engine, bodywork or steering
Have mileage discrepancies
Have tyres that aren’t road legal
Have been used for taxi, private hire, chauffeur or rental purposes
Have been used for driving lessons
Have been used as a police vehicle or by a local authority
Have insurance issues
Have been written off
Have been imported or exported
Have mechanical or electrical faults
Haven’t got a valid MOT
Haven’t been first registered in the UK
Are older than 15 years old
Have been modified*
*A modification is any cosmetic, mechanical, electrical or software-based change you make to a car that isn't part of the original manufacturer's specification. You can sell cars that have been modified with tow bars.
Some dealers may also not accept ex-rental or commercial vehicles, rare or classic cars, vans, motorbikes or trucks.
Learn more about selling your car