Any experience of selling a car via 'Motorway' online?

rubble2

I have heard generally positive feedback locally from people who have sold their car this way and the initial valuation I get when inputting the car details seems reasonable.

I wondered if anyone on here has used 'Motorway' in the past and what their experience was like?

Thanks

WellKnownSid

Son in law tried it and was disappointed - got no interest anywhere near the initial valuation and when he did accept a much lower offer the guy wanted to chip him even further unless it was delivered to him 50 miles away.

In the end he sold it to a local franchise garage for slightly above the initial valuation.

twopenny

Tried to find it on companies house.

Need a more specific name but try it. It will give you the size of the company, previous names, check what sort of office on street view, how many work there and the reliability of their finances

Exodi

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81953037#Comment_81953037

To be clear, Motorway is a big company, constantly advertised on TV, radio, etc. It's closer to WeBuyAnyCar than a random backdoor operation.

Can find it on companies house pretty easily: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/10285711

@rubble2 My wife sold a car with Motorway, it was smooth (though don't be mistaken in thinking that the estimate is what you'll get - the car is effectively auctioned off, you get to decide if you're happy with the top offer though). The winning buyer is then obligated to collect the car shortly after. There have been some horror stories of the dealer trying to haggle more money off on the doorstep, but our experience was super smooth.

We did actually try selling the car on autotrader priced 10-20% lower than the others, had a couple of tyre-kickers but overall very little interest, I guess people prefer to buy from dealers, despite the higher price.

p00hsticks

I've used it to sell my late father's car - you are unlikely to get near the initial estimate but the big advantage over Webuyanycar and similar for me was that the winning dealer collects the car - very useful as I don;t drive and the car was left without tax or insurance following my fathers death.

oldernonethewiser

I used it and got more than the initial guide price so very happy.

Friend tried them and got nothing near what they had hoped for.

Winners and losers.

Car_54

As with most auctions, the auctioneer can only publish a guide price. The rest is up to the bidders.

FabFifty

I sold a car last Autumn with Motorway. It was a relatively easy process though the estimate isn't what you'll get. The winning dealer/buyer collected the car within a few days and took another couple of hundred off after they'd seen the car in person. Payment was very quick - next day I think. Overall the process was fine and I'd use them again in preference to WeBuyAnyCar who, on another car, offered me 50% of what I got selling privately on Autotrader.

paul2louise

I was wondering about selling mums car. Only bought it last year but she can't drive it anymore. I will look at this option

James2k

Didn't work for me, I think if you live centrally and have a 'mainstream' car it can be very good.

I got estimated ~29 for my Toureg and got offers around 25. However a friend with an S3 get more than his estimate .

As someone said, winners and losers, costs nothing to roll the dice (aside from taking a few pictures)

chuffinnora

We've used Carwow a couple of times which is I assume similar to Motorway. You place your car on with a reserve/estimate and it goes into a 1 day auction where dealers bid for it.

1st time we got more than estimate, 2nd time less. The 2nd car I saw go on their website/autotrader 5 days later for an extra £2.5k and was sold within 2 days. Nice quick profit for the dealer, but thats why they use these services.

The key to getting more is having a high spec model, regular servicing, good condition. No point trying to gloss over damage as they will spot it and drop your offer anyway. Don't give them an excuse.

Personally I also wouldn't let the buyer drive it away unless I'm paid on the spot by bank transfer and checked. Some dealers pay 2 or 3 days later, but no way would I let my car be driven away without the funds.

At the end of the day these methods are for convenience and speed, and the dealers know it. So you may have to settle for less than dealing with endless tyre kickers on autotrader.