Fast • Easy • Secure
List Your Vehicle For Sale
Advertise your vehicle and get interest from verified UK buyers. Buyers share their details with you so you can arrange the sale directly.
Our buyers contact details are verified for your peace of mind.
Arrange handover directly with your chosen buyer, anywhere in the UK.
Stay updated with real-time alerts when a buyer registers interest.
We provide a user-friendly and secure platform.
How It Works
3 Easy Steps Is All It Takes
1Add Your Vehicle Details
Tell us about your vehicle, including the make, model, and condition. Upload a few clear photos to help interested buyers (private buyers and verified dealers) see the full picture.
2Buyers Register Interest
Once your advert goes live, verified buyers (including private individuals and trusted dealers) can register their interest. They'll share their contact details with you so you can connect directly.
3Arrange Your Sale
Review the interested buyers and contact them to discuss details, negotiate, and arrange payment and handover. You're in complete control of the sale from start to finish.
What drivers say
Stories From People Just Like You
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Buyers will check your car
See what buyers see, before they do
Serious buyers run a history check before they travel. If there's finance to settle or a record to explain, knowing first keeps your sale alive. Tap through the checks.
Is the vehicle still on finance?
If a lender still has an interest in the vehicle, they can repossess it from your driveway. The seller keeps your money.
- Searched against
- The UK finance register
- Agreement types
- PCP, HP, lease, unit stocking
- Report shows
- Agreement type, date and status
- Recorded by
- The lender, not the seller
Source: UK Finance Register
Has it been written off?
Insurers record a category when a vehicle is damaged badly enough to be uneconomical to repair. Cat S and Cat N vehicles can legally return to the road.
- Searched against
- MIAFTR, the insurance loss register
- Categories covered
- A, B, C, D, S and N
- Report shows
- Category, and the date of loss
- Also covered
- Salvage and total-loss records
Source: MIAFTR
Does the mileage add up?
Every MOT reading is on record. A reading that goes down, or a jump that does not fit the pattern, is the clearest sign of a clocked vehicle.
- Readings used
- Every MOT reading on file
- Looking for
- Readings that fall, or jump
- Report shows
- The full run of readings, in order
- Also covered
- Average miles a year
Source: DVSA MOT history
Is it recorded as stolen?
A car reported stolen and never recovered stays flagged on the Police National Computer. Buying one means losing the vehicle and the money.
- Searched against
- The Police National Computer
- Marker covers
- Vehicles reported and not recovered
- Report shows
- Whether a theft marker is held
- Also covered
- The vehicle's registration status
Source: Police National Computer
How many hands has it passed through?
Frequent keeper changes can mean a problem car being passed along. The V5C record shows every change of keeper since first registration.
- Source record
- The DVLA keeper record
- Report shows
- How many keepers it has had
- Dates given
- First registration and last change
- Also covered
- How many V5Cs have been issued
Source: DVLA
Has it crossed a border?
An import can be fine, but it changes the history you should expect to find, and an exported marker on a vehicle still being sold here is a red flag.
- Markers checked
- Imported and exported
- Covers
- Vehicles first registered abroad
- Report shows
- Which marker is held, and when
- Also covered
- Whether UK history starts late
Source: DVLA
Has it been scrapped?
A certificate of destruction means the vehicle should not exist on the road. Vehicles with cloned plates borrow the identity of scrapped vehicles.
- Markers checked
- Scrapped, and destroyed
- Covers
- Certificates of destruction
- Report shows
- Whether the record was closed, and when
- Also covered
- Whether the VIN matches the record
Source: DVLA
Has the plate been changed?
Plate changes are legal and common, but they are also how a past identity gets buried. The full history lists every registration the vehicle has worn.
- Source record
- The DVLA registration record
- Report shows
- Every plate the vehicle has worn
- Dates given
- The date of each change
- Also covered
- Personalised plates added and removed
Source: DVLA
What does the MOT record say?
Every test, pass, failure and advisory since the vehicle's third year. Advisories are the useful part: they are a mechanic telling you what was already wearing out.
- Tests listed
- Every test on record
- Report shows
- Result, date and mileage for each
- Also covered
- Advisories and reasons for failure
- Goes back to
- The vehicle's third year
Source: DVSA MOT history
Is there an outstanding safety recall?
Manufacturers issue recalls when a fault could be dangerous. The work is free, but it only happens if somebody books it in, and a recall can sit unactioned for years.
- Searched against
- The DVSA recalls database
- Report shows
- Recalls affecting this vehicle
- Also covered
- Recall history for the model
- Cost to put right
- Free, at a franchised dealer
Source: DVSA recalls database
Has it been resprayed?
A recorded colour change can be a personal choice. It can also be how accident repairs or a previous identity stop being obvious at a glance.
- Source record
- The DVLA vehicle record
- Report shows
- Every recorded colour change
- Dates given
- The date of each change
- Also covered
- The colour at first registration
Source: DVLA
Does the vehicle match its paperwork?
The VIN on the vehicle should match the one on the record. When it does not, you are looking at a cloned or altered identity, and everything else in the history belongs to a different car.
- Compared
- The VIN against the DVLA record
- Report shows
- Whether plate, VIN and record agree
- Catches
- Cloned and altered identities
- Also covered
- How many V5Cs have been issued
Source: DVLA
What will it cost to tax?
The rate depends on emissions and registration date, and the difference between bands is large enough to change which vehicle you should buy.
- Source record
- The DVLA tax record
- Report shows
- Tax status, and the date it runs out
- Rate given
- The annual rate for this vehicle
- Based on
- Emissions and registration date
Source: DVLA
What is actually under the bonnet?
Engine size, power, fuel type and economy, taken from the manufacturer record rather than the advert. Useful for checking a listing describes the vehicle it is actually selling.
- Taken from
- The manufacturer record
- Report shows
- Engine size, power and fuel type
- Also covered
- Economy, emissions and gearbox
- Useful for
- Checking the advert is accurate
Source: Manufacturer data
What will it cost to keep?
Fuel, servicing, insurance group and tax in one place, so the monthly cost of owning the vehicle is visible before you commit to it rather than after.
- Report shows
- Fuel, tax, insurance and servicing
- Fuel worked out from
- The vehicle's own economy figures
- Adjustable
- By the mileage you actually drive
- Also covered
- Typical service and MOT costs
Source: Car Owl running-cost model
What will it be worth later?
What the vehicle is worth now and what it is likely to be worth in three years. Depreciation is usually the largest single cost of owning a vehicle, and the easiest one to ignore.
- Report shows
- What the vehicle is worth today
- Ranges given
- Private sale and trade
- Projected to
- Three years ahead
- Based on
- Age, mileage and market data
Source: Car Owl valuation model
What has happened to this vehicle?
Keeper changes, MOT tests, mileage readings and plate changes on one timeline. Patterns that are invisible in a list of dates tend to be obvious once they are in order.
- Events shown
- Keepers, MOTs, mileage and plates
- Ordered by
- Date, from first registration
- Also covered
- Stretches with no record at all
- Drawn from
- DVLA and DVSA records
Source: DVLA and DVSA records
What should you check in person?
A checklist built around this specific car, including what its own MOT advisories say to look at. It turns a viewing into something you can work through rather than guess at.
- Built from
- This car's own MOT advisories
- Also built from
- Known faults for the model
- Report shows
- What to check, in viewing order
- Includes
- Questions to ask the seller
Source: Car Owl
Also in every full report: VIC marker · Unpaid loan records · Common faults and typical repair costs · Fuel cost calculator · Priority support · Money-back promise
Safety & Security
Car Owl helps protect you and your info.
Offers arrive here, not to your phone
Car Owl notifies you the moment a buyer registers interest, so you’re always in control. Buyers are verified before they can enquire, offers come in writing through the platform, and your number stays private.
- Real-Time Notifications via App and Email.
- Safeguards You from Scams, Phishing, and Fraudulent Offers.
- Advanced Detection to Filter Out Spam Offers.
- J. Mahoney Verified buyer £8,450
- R. Tomlin Verified buyer £8,600
- A. Kaur Verified buyer £8,775
In writing, through the platform. Your details stay private.
The power behind it all
Fast, Easy, Secure
We use latest AI tech to ensure a smooth and secure selling experience.
Listing
In under 2 minutes
In under 2 minutes, our simple vehicle guide helps you profile your car. Upload photos quickly from your PC or phone.
That bargain looks good.
But is it still on finance?
If it is, it is not theirs to sell.
One check. Sixty seconds.
Car Owl
Pick a channel
Speed & Performance
Car Owl is Always a Mile Ahead.
This is what a buyer sees
Our platform comes with regular updates, upgraded features and years of extensive research and testing. Buyers filter, save searches and get alerted the moment something matches, which is how the right buyer finds your car rather than scrolling past it.
Weigh it up
Selling privately here, or trading it in
Both are valid. This is what changes depending on which you pick.
| Feature | Car Owl | Dealer part-exchange |
|---|---|---|
| Typically achieves more for the vehicle | Yes | N/A |
| No trade margin taken out | Yes | N/A |
| Free collection anywhere in the UK | Yes | N/A |
| Same-day settlement | N/A | Yes |
| No listing to write | N/A | Yes |
| You choose how long it runs | Yes | N/A |
| Buyers verified before they can enquire | Yes | Yes |
| Offers in writing through the platform | Yes | N/A |
| Your phone number stays private | Yes | N/A |
| History check shown to buyers up front | Yes | N/A |
Private sales usually fetch more; a part-exchange usually settles faster. Which matters more is yours to decide.
Flexible Listing Duration
Advertise for as long as you choose
No rush
Then let it run while you get on with your day
Advertise your vehicle for your chosen duration. Interested buyers share their details and you arrange the handover together.
100% Satisfied Customers
Recently Sold Through Us
Buying a used car? Don’t buy blind. Want it. Check it. Own it.
Quick Selling Tips
How do I get the best price when selling my car?
-
Repair Major Problems
Fixing major damages can really improve how your car looks. Small scratches aren’t a big deal, but repairing larger issues can boost its value and attract higher offers.
-
Keep It Honest
The Wise Wizard © tool guides you to provide accurate details about your car. This honesty helps make the selling process smoother and draws in serious offers from verified dealers.
-
Highlight Its History
Keeping a complete service history shows that your car has been well-maintained, giving buyers confidence in its reliability. This can increase its value and make it more appealing in the market.
-
Make It Shine!
First impressions matter. A clean and well-maintained car immediately catches the eye. Invest time in making your car look its best, and it could significantly boost its sale price.
F.A.Q
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to list my car?
Car Owl charges a simple listing fee to advertise your car to our network of verified buyers. Once interested buyers share their details with you, there are no additional fees from us. You arrange the sale directly.
Who will be buying my car?
Your car will be seen by verified UK buyers, including both private individuals and trusted car dealers. You're in control to choose who you want to connect with and negotiate your sale.
How do I get buyers interested in my car?
Just tell us about your car and add some photos. Once your advert is approved, buyers from our network can send you an enquiry, along with an offer price if they want to name one. Each buyer chooses whether to pass on their email or phone number, and where they haven't, you reply to them through Car Owl.
Is selling my car safe with Car Owl?
Absolutely! Your safety is our priority. All buyers are verified, and we provide a secure messaging platform. You control who you share your information with and arrange the sale on your terms.
How quickly can I sell my car?
That depends on your car, your asking price and who is looking for one, so we won't put a number on it. What we can tell you is how it runs. Your advert is checked before it goes live, you choose whether it runs for 2, 4, 6 or 12 weeks, and we alert you by email and text as soon as a buyer enquires. From there you contact them directly and agree the sale between you.
Fast • Simple • Secure
What are you waiting for?
Type in your vehicles registration to get started now. It's really that easy!