Sell my van: the options
You have several ways to sell a van in the UK. Each has trade-offs between speed, convenience, and price. Here's an honest comparison.
| Method | Speed | Effort | Typical price | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instant buying service / marketplace (Carwow Sell) | 1–7 days | Low | Trade mid | None (dealer pays) |
| Private sale (AutoTrader, eBay, Facebook) | 1–8 weeks | High | Private mid–high (15–25% above trade) | Listing fees (£20–50) |
| Part-exchange (when buying another) | Same day | Very low | Trade low–mid | None (offset) |
| Scrap (non-roadworthy) | 1–2 days | Very low | £180–£310 (2025 median) | None (included) |
Get dealer offers (Carwow)
How it works: You enter your vehicle details and dealers bid on it. You see the offers and choose one. The dealer arranges collection and payment.
Pros: Competitive bids (potentially higher than a single buyer), quick (3–7 days), dealers handle paperwork.
Cons: Still trade price (not private sale level), bids may be lower if demand is weak.
Get offers from dealers
Compare offers from trusted dealers nationwide with Carwow.
Get offers with CarwowWe may earn a commission. See disclosure.
Other instant buying services
Services like webuyanyvan also buy vans directly with an instant online valuation (1–3 days). They inspect when collecting and adjust the price if condition is worse than declared. Trade price but very convenient—no viewings or haggling.
Private sale
Selling privately (AutoTrader, eBay Motors, Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree) typically gets you 15–25% more than trade, but takes more time and effort.
You'll need to:
- Write an ad with photos (clean the van first!)
- Handle phone calls, texts, and time-wasters
- Arrange viewings (ideally meet in a public place)
- Negotiate price
- Accept payment safely (bank transfer for large amounts, not cash)
- Complete the V5C and notify DVLA
Risks: No-shows, haggling, payment fraud, liability if the buyer has an accident before transferring the V5C.
Read our guide: How to sell a van privately
Part-exchange
If you're buying another van, part-exchanging your old one is convenient—the dealer handles the V5C and you offset the cost of the new van.
Typical part-exchange value: Trade low to mid. Dealers need a margin to sell it on.
Tip: Get a Carwow offer first, then use it to negotiate a better part-exchange deal.
Value your van first
Before choosing a method, get a realistic estimate of what your van is worth: