| Option | Price obtained | Time | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sale to a private buyer | The highest | 2 to 8 weeks | High |
| Dealer part-exchange | Low to average | Day of purchase | Low |
| Local garage or trader | Average | A few days | Average |
| Online professional car buyer | Average | 24 to 48 hours | Very low |
| Trade auctions | Average, variable | 1 to 2 weeks | Average |
| Export buyer | Low | A few days | Low |
1. Selling to a private buyer
This pays the most, because there is no middleman. You post a listing on 2ememain, AutoScout24 or Facebook Marketplace, answer messages, organise viewings and test drives, then negotiate.
The final price usually ends up 5 to 12% below the asking price. Allow two to eight weeks for a common model, longer for an expensive or old car or a diesel. You must provide a pre-sale roadworthiness test and a Car-Pass, and you remain liable for hidden defects. Payment scams are common.
2. Dealer part-exchange
Simple and quick: the dealer takes your car on the day you buy another one from him. The part-exchange price is often low, or it looks generous but the discount on the new car shrinks by the same amount. Always compare the net price you pay, trade-in deducted.
3. Local garage or trader
A garage or trader near you can buy your car within a few days. The price depends heavily on their stock and on what they know how to resell: fair for a recent small car, very low for a model they know badly. You often have to travel and negotiate.
4. Online professional car buyer
You get an online valuation, receive a firm offer after a few photos, and the buyer collects the car and pays on the spot. The price is lower than a private sale, because the buyer resells with a margin, but there is no listing, no viewings and no pre-sale roadworthiness test.
That is what Nous Achetons Votre Voiture.be does: free valuation in 2 minutes, free collection anywhere in Belgium, instant payment by instant bank transfer. Beware of services that show a high price online and cut it sharply at inspection: always ask what can still change the offer.
5. Trade auctions
Some platforms inspect your car and then auction it to traders. The price can be good for a sought-after car, but you only know it at the end, fees often apply, and you have to take the car to an inspection centre. Allow one to two weeks.
6. Export buyers
For an old car, a high-mileage car or a diesel that is no longer allowed into low-emission zones, export traders buy to resell outside Belgium. It is quick, but the price is low and cash payment calls for caution: insist on a sales contract and proof of identity.
Which option should you choose?
If you have time and a recent, sought-after car, a private sale pays the most. If you are buying from a dealer, compare their part-exchange with an outside offer. If you want to sell fast, without a listing or roadworthiness test, and be paid the same day, a professional buyer is the simplest option.