Where Do ‘We Buy Any Car’ Sell Their Cars?

Man inspection a car at We Buy Any Car

With more than 400 branches across the UK, We Buy Any Car is one of the biggest and most recognised auto dealerships in the country. Headquartered in Surrey, the industry giant employees more than 700 people and prides itself on quick and easy service.

One of the main attractions of We Buy Any Car is its promise to buy any kind of car – including a car that’s accredited with a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN), a damaged car, an uninsured car or a salvaged car. That raises questions about the kind of cars they sell – and where they sell them.

In truth, We Buy Any Car sells a wide range of vehicles that reflect the variety on British roads – from vans and SUVs down to hatchbacks and convertibles. Whether you want to buy a car from We Buy Any Car or you’re just interested in where your last vehicle is headed, this article will explore where We Buy Any Car sell their cars.

 

We Buy Any Car: The Basics

With more than 500 branches across the UK, We Buy Any Car is one of the biggest and most recognised auto dealerships in the country. Headquartered in Surrey, the industry giant employs more than 700 people and prides itself on quick and easy service.

A We Buy Any Car buyer will inspect the interior and exterior of your car to check for any structural or cosmetic damage. They’ll also perform a short test drive and will check documents including the V5C logbook, as well as your photo ID and bank details, and proof of address.

The company’s promises are lofty, pledging to “sell your car in under an hour” and value your car in just 60 seconds. The service has been an undeniable hit with British motorists, who have left more than 100,000 reviews on Trustpilot and an overall rating of ‘excellent’. That said, the reviews aren’t all glowing – we’ll touch more on that later.

So, what does We Buy Any Car do with its influx of vehicles? We take you behind the scenes and reveal where We Buy Any Car sell their cars.

 

Selling Vehicles through Dealerships, Car Supermarkets and Auction Houses

Where do We Buy Any Car sell their cars? When you sell your vehicle to this company, it’s generally heading straight to a nearby dealership where it will be sold at a profit to another driver. Alternatively, it may be listed on an online ‘car supermarket’ where it will also be sold at a profit.

If the car isn’t in great condition, it may be relocated to one of the company’s regional centres where it’s offered to a different set of car dealerships and traders. If the car isn’t sold here, it will likely be sent to a car auction and ideally sold for a profit, though this is not guaranteed.

This is why We Buy Any Car covets vehicles that are in good or excellent condition, as the chances of turning a profit are much higher. The risk of having to send a car to auction and losing money is much higher for older and less desirable vehicles.

If you’re looking for your next nearly new or used car, there are options beyond We Buy Any Car. In fact, My Car Credit offers a one-stop shop for drivers looking to snap up both their next set of wheels and car finance in one go.

Used car finance is a great way of getting on the road without having to fork out as much as you would for a car that’s fresh off the showing room floor. You can also use our My Car Search tool to find the used car you’ve always wanted at an accessible price – just fill out your search criteria and we’ll let you know the best options for you. Plus, our car finance calculator can help you work out what you can expect to pay back via affordable monthly instalments.

 

The pros of We Buy Any Car

  • A tried and tested service that’s fast, easy and hassle-free.
  • 100,000 positive reviews on Trustpilot and an ‘excellent’ overall rating.
  • More than 500 branches across the UK, making the service easy to access from almost anywhere in the country.
  • Claims not to bombard you with ‘pushy sales tactics’ leaving you free to decide.
  • Will buy vehicles that don’t run or are damaged, as well as those that aren’t taxed or insured.
  • The company will buy cars with outstanding finance on them, and can sell these for you so long as you provide an in-date settlement letter.

 

The cons of We Buy Any Car

  • Sellers generally receive a lower-than-market value price, even for cars in good or excellent condition. You’ll typically make more money by selling your vehicle privately or on Autotrader.
  • Frequent reports of sellers receiving higher price quotes online, then being lowballed at the dealership. This is because the online quote is typically offered for vehicles in ‘showroom condition’, even if the vehicle receiving the quote is old or damaged. This can then result in a mismatch between the online quote and the price offered at their branches.
  • Has previously been in hot water with bodies like the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for misleading motorists. In 2011, the company was accused of a lack of transparency in dealing with consumers, particularly over their online vehicle valuation.
  • We Buy Any Car has an online car finance calculator, but it’s unclear how this is provided or regulated. My Car Credit is part of Evolution Funding, the UK’s largest motor finance and technology provider, offering market-leading technology and the largest selection of car finance companies out of any broker.

 

Buying from We Buy Any Car

Now you know more about where We Buy Any Car sell their cars, let’s cover how the service may affect you as a buyer.

Chances are, you’ll come across cars purchased and resold by We Buy Any Car when shopping for a used vehicle.

Be aware that you can’t buy a car directly from We Buy Any Car – as discussed above, the company sells your car onto a dealership, car supermarket or auction house. So, although you can sell directly to We Buy Any Car, you cannot purchase a used car from the company, as they sell vehicles that they purchase via other means.

If you’re shopping for a nearly new or used car via any of these three routes, you may benefit from some great deals. That said, you do need to be savvy when browsing the used car market. Always do your due diligence and check that the dealer, car supermarket or auction house where you’re buying the car is legitimate.

This is where My Car Credit comes in. We regularly vet all our preferred dealers for status with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The FCA screens financial institutions to ensure that they operate with transparency and integrity. Ensuring that consumers are treated fairly and are provided products and services that match their needs is a primary goal of the FCA. They exist to help you make more informed decisions without feeling deceived by misleading promises from financial businesses and institutions.

By making sure that our preferred dealers are FCA-checked, we ensure that you receive transparency and excellent customer service.

Use our My Car Search to find quality pre-approved nearly new and used cars from FCA-screened dealers. You’ll be securing both your used car and car finance in one go, benefitting from a streamlined and stress-free experience.

Coupled with award-winning and highly competitive rates and even poor credit car finance, My Car Credit is the best platform to use when shopping for a nearly new set of wheels and the finance agreement that funds its purchase.

 

Get Your Dream Car Financed With My Car Credit

You don’t have to settle for vehicles offloaded quickly through We Buy Any Car. At My Car Credit, we’ll help you get behind the wheel of a reliable nearly new or used car, no matter your credit profile.

From poor credit car finance to used car finance, we’ve got years of experience helping drivers across the UK find their dream car and finance it all in one go. Use our online application form to kickstart your used car finance journey today.

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 10.9%

Evolution Funding Ltd T/A My Car Credit

My Credit Rating

Excellent

  • You are a home owner
  • You have been on the electoral role for a long period of time
  • You have current credit arrangements and mortgage with no defaults
  • You have no CCJs, credit arrears or missed payments
  • You rarely apply for credit
  • You are employed or self-employed

Good

  • You are on the electoral role
  • You are a home owner or long standing tenant
  • You have a stable employment history
  • You have current credit arrangements with occasional missed payments
  • You have no CCJs

Fair

  • You are or have recently been on the electoral role
  • You may have recently changed address
  • You may have occasional missed payments
  • You may have an old CCJ
  • You may have regularly applied for credit

Poor

  • You may have had frequent changes in address
  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • You may have exceeded credit card limits
  • You may have missed payments on current agreements
  • You may have had a CCJ in the past

Bad

  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • Your credit cards are over their limits
  • You have recent CCJs
  • You may have been refused credit elsewhere
  • You may be in a debt management plan
£

X monthly repayments of
£X

Typical rate

Loan amount

Total payable

X% APR*

£X

£X

*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 10.9%, annual interest rate (fixed) 10.87%, 47 monthly payments of £191.50 followed by 1 payment of £201.50 (incl. estimated £10 option to purchase fee), a deposit of £0.00, total cost of credit is £1,702, total amount payable £9,202.

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.

Require more help?

Got a question you can’t find the answer to, or need some advice and guidance around taking out car finance? Our Car Credit Specialists are friendly, experienced, and here to help so get in touch today!

When is the Best Time to Part Exchange a Car?

Lady with car keys knows when is the best time to part exchange a car

Part exchange – also known as PX – is a hugely popular way for Brits to sell their car. It allows you to avoid the hassle of privately selling. Furthermore, you can use your current car to partially finance a new vehicle.

There are real benefits to part exchanging a car. As such, the best way to take advantage of these is to part exchange your car at the right time. That’s why we’ve outlined exactly when that is below, as well as detailing what to consider if you are thinking of embarking on a part exchange. 

What is a part exchange? 

Put simply, a part exchange is when you use your current car as partial collateral for a new one. You’re essentially trading your current car in for another – usually more expensive – vehicle and using it to finance that purchase. 

How does a part exchange work? 

Typically, a dealer will evaluate your current vehicle. Once this value has been confirmed and settled upon by both parties – that is, you, as the seller, and the dealer, as the buyer – then the dealer will take the value of your current car off the price of the new one.  

By part exchanging, you’re therefore partially covering the cost of your new vehicle with the total value of your old. The state of your current vehicle will inevitably impact its valuation by the dealer – as will the time of the year when you choose to part exchange. 

When is the best time to part exchange a car? 

New number plates are released in the UK twice a year. This happens in the months of March and September. One of the best times to part exchange a car can therefore be February and August – the months prior to these new release dates.  

That’s because buyers will tend to wait until these new releases, which can result in slow sales for dealers. Dealers may therefore be more willing to offer a good deal – or at least to negotiate – around these months. 

How to ensure your current car holds its value 

There are a number of factors that could impact the dealer’s evaluation of your car. 

Damage 

This is an obvious one, but any damage to your vehicle’s wheels, paintwork, or body can impact its value. Dents and scratches can deplete this by hundreds of pounds, so the condition of your vehicle is vital in securing a part exchange that is financially beneficial for you.  

If you’re time-strapped and haven’t managed to get your car in for a service, be sure to do your research and know how much the repair of a dent or scratch would cost. You can then ensure that any salesperson doesn’t deduct any higher than this number.  

Keep on top of your MOT and service  

A full service history adds value to a car, so keeping a record of this is essential. In fact, an incomplete service history can deplete your vehicle’s value by up to 10%.  

You also want to ensure that you have more than three months left on your MOT, and make sure you’ve kept hold of any spare keys. 

Low mileage 

Models with low mileage, exciting add-ons, or unusual colours may add value to your car. It’s worth bearing in mind what kind of car the dealership is after – there’s no point offering your Mini to a dealership that specialises in Range Rovers. 

Remember to negotiate 

Remember to go in with confidence but be prepared to haggle. Negotiations are always a component of a part exchange. That said, it’s important to feel that you’re being heard and not taken for a drive (pardon the pun).  

Walk away from the conversation if it’s not going anywhere and re-evaluate your options. Dealers are there to make money and get the best deal possible, which may end up with you feeling short-changed. Remember that it’s always an option to sell your car privately – although this will require more effort on your part. 

Financing your purchase 

Part exchange will cover some of the cost of your new car. You can maximise how much it covers by knowing the best time to part exchange a car. But for the rest, you’ll usually need to call on car finance. 

That’s where My Car Credit can help. Our friendly team can advise on car finance eligibility, before finding a great deal to help you spread the cost of your purchase. Contact us today on enquiries@mycarcredit.co.uk to find out more. 

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 10.9%

Evolution Funding Ltd T/A My Car Credit

My Credit Rating

Excellent

  • You are a home owner
  • You have been on the electoral role for a long period of time
  • You have current credit arrangements and mortgage with no defaults
  • You have no CCJs, credit arrears or missed payments
  • You rarely apply for credit
  • You are employed or self-employed

Good

  • You are on the electoral role
  • You are a home owner or long standing tenant
  • You have a stable employment history
  • You have current credit arrangements with occasional missed payments
  • You have no CCJs

Fair

  • You are or have recently been on the electoral role
  • You may have recently changed address
  • You may have occasional missed payments
  • You may have an old CCJ
  • You may have regularly applied for credit

Poor

  • You may have had frequent changes in address
  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • You may have exceeded credit card limits
  • You may have missed payments on current agreements
  • You may have had a CCJ in the past

Bad

  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • Your credit cards are over their limits
  • You have recent CCJs
  • You may have been refused credit elsewhere
  • You may be in a debt management plan
£

X monthly repayments of
£X

Typical rate

Loan amount

Total payable

X% APR*

£X

£X

*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 10.9%, annual interest rate (fixed) 10.87%, 47 monthly payments of £191.50 followed by 1 payment of £201.50 (incl. estimated £10 option to purchase fee), a deposit of £0.00, total cost of credit is £1,702, total amount payable £9,202.

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.

Require more help?

Got a question you can’t find the answer to, or need some advice and guidance around taking out car finance? Our Car Credit Specialists are friendly, experienced, and here to help so get in touch today!

How to Sell a Car That Is on Finance

Woman researching how to sell a car on finance

It’s not unusual for drivers to want to sell a car before the end of a finance agreement. Whether it’s a change in life circumstances, shifting budgetary needs or the desire to upgrade a set of wheels, there are plenty of reasons you might be looking to sell a car on finance.

The good news is that you absolutely can sell a car that’s still on finance. However, there are a few key things you should know before you start the process. For example, if your car has outstanding finance on it and you don’t tell the buyer, that’s illegal.

This guide will comprehensively break down how to sell a car that is on finance based on your agreement type. We’ll also provide helpful advice on questions about credit score and whether to sell via a dealer or privately.

Can you sell a car on finance?

You can sell a car on finance, but it depends on what type of finance agreement you’re on. 

If you’re on personal contract purchase (PCP) or hire purchase (HP) finance, or if you got a personal loan for the vehicle, you can sell the car. 

You can’t sell a car if you have a personal contract hire (PCH) finance agreement.

Remember, for both PCP and HP finance, the lender remains the legal owner until the finance is settled. You cannot legally sell a car that’s been financed with PCP or HP without having formally notified your lender and followed the correct procedure.

Legally, if you sell the car without having followed protocol, it’s considered fraud – and you’ll face the consequences of breaking the law.

Understanding your car finance agreement

Personal contract purchase (PCP)

With PCP finance, you don’t own the car until the agreement is settled in full and you’ve paid the optional balloon payment.

Hire purchase (HP)

Unlike PCP, there’s no optional balloon payment at the end of an HP agreement. You’ll be the legal owner of the vehicle once you’ve made your final payment.

Personal contract hire (PCH)

PCH finance is essentially a long-term rental agreement. As a result, you cannot sell a car financed on PCH.

Personal loan

You’ll own the vehicle outright from day one if you financed it with a personal loan and can sell it at your discretion.

How to sell a car with PCP Finance

The lender remains the legal owner of a vehicle on PCP finance until the last monthly repayment is made – but you may be able to sell in the following ways:

Option 1: Voluntary termination

If you’ve paid off 50% of the ‘total amount payable’ on a PCP finance agreement – including fees and interest – you may be eligible for voluntary termination.

Provided you’ve followed proper procedure, applying for voluntary termination generally shouldn’t negatively impact your credit score. That said, it most likely will appear on your credit report. As long as you’ve followed the correct procedure and met all your financial obligations, you shouldn’t have experienced any negative effects.

Option 2: Pay off the settlement figure

Contact your finance company and advise them of your plans to sell your car. They should be able to provide a settlement figure. This is the amount you can pay to end your agreement early. Depending on the lender, you may also face an ‘early exit fee’.

In certain cases, your settlement figure may be less overall than it would cost to continue your monthly repayments. In this case, it could be financially savvy to pay this off early.

Plus, once you’ve paid the settlement figure, you’ll become the car’s legal owner. You could then sell the vehicle privately or trade it in for an upgrade after clearing your overall balance.

Option 3: Part exchange through a dealer

When you part exchange, you use the value of your current car to offset the cost of your next one.

A part exchange is a popular choice for drivers looking to upgrade their existing vehicle or switch to an alternative financing agreement.

During the part exchange process, you may also be able to negotiate with the dealer to settle any outstanding finance for you as part of the deal.

How to sell a car with HP finance​

As with PCP finance, on HP, the lender remains the legal owner of the vehicle until the final payment is made.

That said, there are ways to sell a car that’s on HP finance.

Option 1: Voluntary termination

Your HP finance agreement may include a voluntary termination clause. This is usually only offered if you’ve paid off at least 50% of the vehicle’s total cost, including fees and interest rates. 

It may be easier to secure voluntary termination on HP finance compared to PCP.

Option 2: Early settlement

As with PCP finance, you can request the settlement figure from your lender. Once this is paid off, you’re the car’s legal owner, and can sell it at your leisure.

Option 3: Part exchange through a dealer

With HP finance, you can either part exchange at the end of your agreement, or once half the total has been paid. 

As with PCP, dealers will often agree to handle this process, even if there’s outstanding finance owed. 

Can you sell a car on PCH?

We’ve run through how to sell a car that is on finance, but what about leasing? As you never own the car outright, you cannot sell a car on PCH finance – it must always be returned to the finance company.

Unlike PCP and HP, there’s no option for voluntary termination on PCH finance.

It is possible to end a PCH agreement early, but you may face a substantial early termination fee. You’ll also likely need to settle any outstanding rentals or other financial obligations.

Selling a car financed by a personal loan

If you’ve financed your car with a personal loan, you’re the vehicle’s legal owner. As such, you can sell it at any time.

Remember to make any repayments that are still outstanding on the loan, even after the sale has gone through.

You’ll need certain paperwork to sell your car. This includes everything from the V5C logbook, MOT certificate (if relevant), service history and proof of ownership. You’ll also need to notify the DVLA

Selling a financed car privately vs. to a dealer

If you’re wondering how to sell a car you are financing, there are two main ways – privately or through a dealer.

There are pros and cons to both, which we’ll outline below.

Privately

Selling privately can be more time-consuming, and you’ll need to be organised with paperwork. Plus, it will be up to you to settle any outstanding finance that remains on the vehicle before you sell it.

However, you may get a better price if you sell the car privately compared to doing so via a dealer.

Dealership

Many dealers can handle any outstanding finance on a car if you choose to trade it in. They’ll simplify the process for you by handling any paperwork, saving you time and effort.

As a result, you’ll likely get a lower overall price compared to a private sale.

Remember to compare quotes from different dealers to ensure you’re getting the best possible price.

Will selling a financed car affect my credit score?

Provided you follow the correct procedure for selling a financed car, your credit score shouldn’t be negatively affected. 

In fact, if you show no missed payments and an ending that’s been mutually agreed by both yourself and the lender, that can be proof of your responsibility as a borrower. This kind of good finance behaviour can then improve your credit score over time.

Any unpaid car finance will leave a negative mark on your credit score, making future loans harder to secure at favourable rates.

How My Car Credit can help

At My Car Credit, we’re committed to helping customers looking to transition out of one finance deal into a new one. 

Our expert team can offer guidance and support throughout the process, ensuring you benefit from suitable finance for your needs and profile.

If you’re looking to switch to an alternative finance agreement, use our online form to check your car finance eligibility. Any initial search won’t leave a mark on your credit report, and you’ll receive a no-obligation quote in minutes.

FAQs

Can I trade in a car that’s on finance?

Provided you’ve settled any outstanding balance on your existing finance agreement and have followed proper procedure with the lender, you can trade in a car that’s on finance.

What happens if I sell a car with outstanding finance?

To sell a car with outstanding finance, you’ll need to pay the lender’s settlement fee. Until this is paid in full, the car remains the property of the lender. It’s illegal to sell a car with outstanding finance without notifying the lender.

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 10.9%

Evolution Funding Ltd T/A My Car Credit

My Credit Rating

Excellent

  • You are a home owner
  • You have been on the electoral role for a long period of time
  • You have current credit arrangements and mortgage with no defaults
  • You have no CCJs, credit arrears or missed payments
  • You rarely apply for credit
  • You are employed or self-employed

Good

  • You are on the electoral role
  • You are a home owner or long standing tenant
  • You have a stable employment history
  • You have current credit arrangements with occasional missed payments
  • You have no CCJs

Fair

  • You are or have recently been on the electoral role
  • You may have recently changed address
  • You may have occasional missed payments
  • You may have an old CCJ
  • You may have regularly applied for credit

Poor

  • You may have had frequent changes in address
  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • You may have exceeded credit card limits
  • You may have missed payments on current agreements
  • You may have had a CCJ in the past

Bad

  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • Your credit cards are over their limits
  • You have recent CCJs
  • You may have been refused credit elsewhere
  • You may be in a debt management plan
£

X monthly repayments of
£X

Typical rate

Loan amount

Total payable

X% APR*

£X

£X

*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 10.9%, annual interest rate (fixed) 10.87%, 47 monthly payments of £191.50 followed by 1 payment of £201.50 (incl. estimated £10 option to purchase fee), a deposit of £0.00, total cost of credit is £1,702, total amount payable £9,202.

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.

Require more help?

Got a question you can’t find the answer to, or need some advice and guidance around taking out car finance? Our Car Credit Specialists are friendly, experienced, and here to help so get in touch today!