Sell my car to The Car Buying Group: review and tips for getting the best price for your car

From how accurate the quote is to what documents you'll need to sell, our Car Buying Group review has all the info you need.

‘Should I sell my car to The Car Buying Group?’

Our independent Car Buying Group review will take you through everything you need to know and how to get the best price for your car if you’re thinking of doing so.

We’ll start by giving you a snapshot of what we think is good and bad about selling to The Car Buying Group:

We like:

• You can sell most cars including scrap, insurance write-offs, imports and those with outstanding finance;
• No fees to sell your car and free home collection;
• Fast sale – you can sell and have the money in your account within 24 hours.

We don’t like

• You can’t sell non-starters so it’s not a way to shift a broken old banger;
• Home collection is only available from 9am – 6pm six days a week. You will also only get a call when the driver is one hour away, so you may need a day off work to sell your car;
• There’s a long list of assumptions made when giving the initial valuation, which can all affect the final price.

Sell my car to The Car Buying Group – how it works

The Car Buying Group say selling your car the traditional way can be a ‘painful and costly experience’ and claims to make it ‘simple, fast and secure’.

To get started, go on The Car Buying Group website and type your vehicle registration into the large white box in the middle of the screen.

You’ll be asked to check the make and model, and if this is correct, the next step is to click the blue ‘get valuation’ button.

At this stage, you’ll be asked to enter more details about your car.

This includes the current mileage, number of previous owners and any service history.

Next, you’ll be asked for your contact details, such as your name, email address and phone number, along with your postcode.

At this point, you will now get an on-screen valuation.

This is followed up with a phone call from The Car Buying Group who will check further details about your vehicle before agreeing a final price.

This may include supplying photos of your car along with details about whether there are any warning lights on the dashboard, if the vehicle has been in an accident or has any mechanical issues.

At this stage, any initial valuation may change, and as with other car-buying websites, any price offer is also subject to a final inspection, which takes place when the driver arrives to collect your car.

Should you decide to sell, you can book a free home collection, within seven days.

The service is available nationwide from Monday to Saturday between 9am – 6pm, and in some cases you may be able to book within 24 hours of accepting the valuation.

What cars do The Car Buying Group want?

You can sell most cars including insurance write-offs, scrap vehicles and imports.

Cars with finance on them must be declared during the valuation process.

However, you can’t sell non-runners, so your vehicle must be in working order to sell through The Car Buying Group.

If you want to check if The Car Buying Group will buy your car, you can give the customer service team a call on weekdays between 9am – 6pm on 0333 3201 614 with any questions.

How can I get the best price when I sell my car to The Car Buying Group?

Being honest about the vehicle you’re selling is always the best way to ensure you get an accurate price.

The Car Buying Group say, ‘the value given via this website does not constitute a contract’.

Any valuation is subject to a final inspection, which takes place at your home, on the day of sale.

This is the case with most, if not all car buying sites.

How accurate is The Car Buying Group valuation? Will they rip you off?

When I ran my registration through The Car Buying Group website, I was initially offered a valuation of £830 for my 2010 Peugeot 207 CC 1.6 GT Convertible.

Compared to some other car buying sites, this was a lower figure than initial valuations of at least £1,000.

The Car Buying Group say when making its valuations, it makes several assumptions about your vehicle. These include the fact –

•  It has not got a personalised reg plate;
•  It is not an imported car;
•  It has two sets of keys;
•  It has no damage, aesthetic or functional;
•  There is at least 2 months till the MOT is due;
•  It has not been an insurance write off;
•  It has not been used for hire or as a taxi;
•  It has not been used for driving tuition;
•  It has not been used as an emergency vehicle (e.g Police).

During the call with one of The Car Buying Group specialists, they will discuss your vehicle and valuation in more detail before finalising the price, which may increase or decrease.

However, The Car Buying Group say, “our team are NOT targeted on reductions of prices, and we will never make you feel uncomfortable or reduce a price unnecessarily”.

Sell my car to The Car Buying Group: what fees will I be charged?

Selling your car through The Car Buying Group is free, including the home collection service.

There are no charges to receive your money, which is paid by bank transfer.

Some other car-buying sites also offer a free selling process, however, some may charge fees of between £50 to £100 to sell, depending on the value of your car, and you may be charged for home collection.

We would always recommend shopping around to compare valuations, along with any charges.

Below is a roundup of what fees you can expect to pay at all the major car-buying sites.

What paperwork do I need to sell my car?

If you agree to sell your car, you will need to provide vehicle documentation and personal identification. Here is a list of what you will need.

Proof of vehicle documentation

• V5, also known as V5C, is the vehicle logbook and details the registered keeper of the vehicle.
• Service book, handbook, spare keys, locking wheel nuts, radio and key codes.
• MOT if applicable. Initial valuation based on the fact there is at least two months left.
• If the vehicle has finance left on it, you must provide a final settlement figure from the finance company.

Proof of personal identification

• Photo driving licence or passport
• One of the following: a utility bill, bank or credit card statement, council tax statement. This must list your current address and match the address on the V5.
• If you are NOT the registered keeper of the vehicle, you will need written authority from the registered keeper, (along with their photo ID), declaring that you are authorised to sell the vehicle.

Additional Information Required

• Your UK bank details and/or those of the registered keeper.
• You are also asked to ensure the fuel light is not on when selling the vehicle.

How will The Car Buying Group pay me?

Payment is made by bank transfer, at the time you agree the sale during your home appointment.

Payment is made direct to your bank account by bank transfer.

The Car Buying Group alternatives and competitors: can I get a better price elsewhere?

Here’s a detailed rundown of your options when it comes to selling your car.

I want to sell my car quickly online

Read our Motorway review or head this way to get a Motorway quote now.

Read our Webuyanycar review or head this way to get a Webuyanycar quote.

Read our Cazoo review or head this way to get a Cazoo quote.

Read out Wewantanycar review or head this way to get a Wewantanycar quote.

Read our Carwow review or head this way to get a Carwow quote.

Read our Arnold Clark review or head this way to get an Arnold Clark quote.

Read our Evans Halshaw review or get an Evans Halshaw quote.

Read our Money4yourmotorws review or head this way to get your Webuyurcar quote.

I want to sell my car myself to get the best price

AutoTrader (be sure to read our Autotrader review first)

eBay

Facebook Marketplace

Gumtree

The Car Buying Group Trustpilot rating – Excellent

Trustpilot is an independent customer review site and The Car Buying Group has a 4.4 star review, out of a possible five stars.

To date there are over 4,500 reviews about the company on Trustpilot.

80% of reviewers have given The Car Buying Group five stars, while just 8% have given it the lowest, one star, review.

The negative reviews cited complaints about the final price being lower than the initial valuation along with missed appointments, while the five star reviews praised the customer service, efficiency and ease of the selling process.

Should I Sell my car to The Car Buying Group? Our verdict

When we rang The Car Buying Group posing as a potential customer looking to sell a vehicle, we found its customer service team friendly, informative and helpful with no pressure to sell.

If you decide to sell, in some cases, you can organise a collection appointment within 24 hours.

As with most car-buying sites, the initial screen price is only a valuation, which can go up or down, so we would always suggest comparing any final price you’re offered against other sites.

Pros – fee-free with free collection from your home. Helpful telephone support from The Car Buying Group is a bonus and many of the five-star reviews highlight this as a positive selling point.

Cons – there’s a list of things you need to supply or check before selling, including ensuring the fuel light is not on when you come to hand over the vehicle.