You've decided to sell your car. Now comes the question every seller faces: trade it in or sell privately?
Both have their place. Here's how to decide—and why there's a third option worth considering.
Option 1: Trade-In
How It Works
You offer your car as partial payment when buying from a dealer. They give you a trade-in value, which comes off the price of your new car.
The Pros
- Convenience - One transaction, one location
- Simplicity - Dealer handles all paperwork
- Speed - Done in a day
- Tax benefit - In some cases, stamp duty is calculated on the difference (check current rules)
The Cons
- Lower price - Typically 10-20% below private sale value
- Limited negotiation - Take it or leave it
- Bundled deal - Hard to know if you're getting a fair trade-in or just a discount on the new car
Best For
- Very busy people who value time over money
- Hard-to-sell vehicles (old, high km, unpopular models)
- When you need to sell and buy on the same day
Real Example (Rockhampton)
A client brought their 2018 Mazda CX-5 to a dealer. Trade-in offer: $24,000. We sold it privately for $29,500. That's $5,500 the dealer would have pocketed.
Option 2: Private Sale
How It Works
You advertise your car on platforms like Carsales, Facebook Marketplace, or Gumtree. Buyers contact you, inspect the car, and you negotiate a sale.
The Pros
- Highest potential price - Buyers pay retail, not wholesale
- Direct negotiation - You control the process
- Timing flexibility - Sell when you get the right offer
The Cons
- Time-consuming - Photos, listings, enquiries, inspections
- Tyre-kickers - Many enquiries, few serious buyers
- Security concerns - Strangers coming to your home
- Scam risk - Fake buyers, payment fraud
- Paperwork - Transfer forms, safety certificate (if required), PPSR clearance
Best For
- Popular vehicles in good condition
- Patient sellers with time to wait for the right buyer
- People comfortable with negotiation and showing strangers their car
Real Example (Mackay)
A seller spent six weeks trying to sell their Ford Ranger privately. Endless enquiries, three no-shows, and two low-ball offers later, they came to us. We had it sold in two weeks at their asking price.
Option 3: The Broker Middle Ground
How It Works
A car broker (like us) handles the selling process for you. We list, photograph, screen enquiries, handle negotiations, and manage the sale. You only meet the final buyer for handover.
The Pros
- Near-private-sale prices - We negotiate as professionals
- No tyre-kickers - We screen all enquiries
- No strangers at your door - We handle inspections
- All paperwork managed - We know the process
- Time saved - You get on with life
The Cons
- Commission cost - We take a percentage of the sale
- Not instant - Takes longer than trade-in (but usually faster than DIY private sale)
Best For
- Busy professionals who want the best price without the hassle
- Anyone who's tried private sale and given up
- People uncomfortable dealing with strangers
- Sellers who value their time
Real Example (Gladstone)
Client wanted to sell their HiLux. Dealer offered $48,000 trade-in. After our commission, they walked away with $54,500—$6,500 more, with none of the private sale hassle.
The Numbers Don't Lie
Here's a comparison across 10 recent sales we've handled:
| Vehicle | Trade-In Offer | Private Sale Achieved | Our Net (after commission) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 HiLux SR5 | $42,000 | $50,000 | $47,000 |
| 2018 Mazda CX-5 | $24,000 | $29,500 | $27,500 |
| 2020 Ranger XLT | $48,000 | $56,000 | $52,500 |
| 2017 Kluger GX | $28,000 | $34,000 | $31,500 |
| 2019 Triton GLX+ | $32,000 | $38,500 | $36,000 |
In every case, our clients netted more than trade-in—even after our commission.
How to Decide
Choose trade-in if:
- Time is worth more than money to you
- Your car is hard to sell privately
- You need to sell and buy the same day
Choose private sale if:
- You have time and patience
- You're comfortable with negotiations
- Your car is desirable and will sell quickly
Choose a broker if:
- You want the best price without the hassle
- You've tried private sale and it's too hard
- Your time is valuable but so is your money
Get Your Free Valuation
Not sure what your car is worth? We'll give you an honest assessment—no obligation.
Request your free valuation and we'll tell you:
- Realistic private sale value
- What you'd likely get trading in
- Whether we can help (and what we'd charge)
Honest advice, even if that means telling you to trade in.
