Table of Contents
The three ways to change cars
Option 1: Part-exchange at the dealership where you buy
Option 2: Sell your car separately and buy afterwards
Option 3: Sell and buy in a coordinated way
How much money you lose with part-exchange vs selling on your own
How to coordinate timescales so you are not left without a car
Finance: how your old car affects the terms
Frequently asked questions
Changing your car is one of the most important financial decisions a family makes. Not just because of the price of the new car, but because of what you get (or miss out on getting) for the old one. The difference between making the change well or doing it out of inertia can be between £2,000 and £4,000.
Most people choose the most convenient option: they go to the dealership, choose the new car and hand over the old one as part-payment. It is quick, simple and what everyone does. But it is also what costs you the most money, because the dealership pays you less for your old car than you could obtain on your own.
In this article we explain the three ways to change cars, how much each one costs you and how to coordinate the logistics so you are not left without a vehicle.
The three ways to change cars
When you want to switch from one car to another, there are three possible paths. Each one has a different balance between convenience and financial outcome.
Dealer part-exchange. You hand over your old car to the dealership where you buy the new one. A single transaction, one place, zero management. But the price they offer you for the old one is the lowest of the three options.
Independent sale and separate purchase. You sell your old car on your own (or through a platform with dealership bidding) and then buy the new one with the money in hand. Two separate transactions, more work, but the best financial outcome.
Coordinated sale and purchase. A middle ground: you start the selling process for the old one before closing the purchase of the new one, coordinating the timescales so both transactions overlap without leaving you without a car. It combines a good price with reasonable logistics.
Option 1: Part-exchange at the dealership where you buy
This is what most people do. You go to the dealership, choose the new car, mention that you have one to hand over, the salesperson values it and deducts the amount from the price of the new one. You sign a single contract and take the new car on the day you hand over the old one.
Advantages. Absolute convenience: one transaction, one place, one contact. You are never left without a car. The dealership manages all the paperwork for both vehicles.
Disadvantages. The part-exchange value is usually between 10% and 25% lower than your car's market value. On a £12,000 car, that can be between £1,200 and £3,000 less. Furthermore, the transaction is presented as a "package" where it is hard to tell if you are getting a good price for the old one or if the discount on the new one is compensating for a low part-exchange offer.
If you want to understand in detail how part-exchange works and how to negotiate it, check our guide on car part-exchange: what it is and how it works.
Option 2: Sell your car separately and buy afterwards
You sell your old car first at the best possible price and then, with the money available, you buy the new one at the dealership of your choice. They are two completely independent transactions.
Advantages. You get the best price for your old car because you do not depend on a single buyer (the dealership where you are going to buy). You negotiate the price of the new car from a position of strength: you do not need the dealership to "accept" your old one, so you only negotiate one figure, not two. And you can buy the new one wherever you want, not just where they accept your part-exchange.
Disadvantages. You need to coordinate timescales so you are not left without a car. There is an interim period (between selling the old one and buying the new one) where you might need alternative transport. And the administrative management is double: paperwork to sell the old one and paperwork to buy the new one.
How much you can gain. The difference between the dealer's part-exchange price and what you can get by selling on your own (especially if several dealerships compete for your car through Dealcar) is usually between £1,000 and £3,000. That figure is real money that you can put towards better equipment for the new car, a larger deposit or simply keep in your pocket.
To maximise what you get, read our strategies to get the best price for your car.
Option 3: Sell and buy in a coordinated way
This is the middle ground that combines a good price with reasonable logistics. You start the sale of the old one before closing the purchase of the new one, and coordinate timescales so both transactions overlap.
How it works in practice:
Week 1. You value your old car with Dealcar and receive offers from dealerships. At the same time, you start looking for the new car at dealerships (visits, quotes, test drives).
Week 2. You have the offers for the old one and an approximate price for the new one. You know how much money you will have from the old one and how much you need for the new one. You can make decisions with real numbers.
Week 3. You accept the best offer for the old one and agree a collection date that coincides with the delivery of the new one. You close the purchase of the new one.
Day D. The Dealcar buyer collects your old car from your home and the dealership delivers your new one. Ideally on the same day or with a 1-2 day buffer.
The key to coordination. When you accept an offer on Dealcar, you can agree the collection date with the buying dealer. This gives you flexibility to synchronise with the delivery of the new car. Most professional dealers are flexible with dates once the transaction is closed.
Once the old one is sold, do not forget the subsequent paperwork. Check what to do after selling a car.
How much money you lose with part-exchange vs selling on your own
Let's look at the numbers with three real scenarios.
Medium-value car: Peugeot 3008 1.5 BlueHDi, 2020, 55,000 km
Market value: €19,000. Dealer part-exchange: €15,500-16,500 (15-18% less). Sale with Dealcar (dealer bidding): €17,800-18,500. Difference: €1,300-2,500 in favour of the independent sale.
High-value car: BMW X3 xDrive20d, 2021, 40,000 km
Market value: €32,000. Dealer part-exchange: €26,000-28,000. Sale with Dealcar: €30,000-31,500. Difference: €2,000-4,000.
Low-value car: Seat Ibiza 1.0 TSI, 2018, 80,000 km
Market value: €9,000. Dealer part-exchange: €7,200-7,800. Sale with Dealcar: €8,200-8,700. Difference: €400-1,000.
To find out the real value of your car before negotiating, check how to know how much your car is worth.
The pattern is clear: the more your car is worth, the more money you lose with part-exchange in absolute terms. A 15% discount on €9,000 is €1,350. A 15% discount on €32,000 is €4,800. For cars worth over €15,000, the difference more than justifies the effort of selling separately.
How to coordinate timescales so you are not left without a car
This is the main concern of anyone selling separately. Nobody wants to be without a car for two weeks, waiting for the new one to arrive while the old one is already gone.
Strategy 1: Sell with an agreed collection date. When you accept an offer on Dealcar, you can agree a specific collection date with the buying dealer. If you know your new car will be ready on 15 June, you arrange collection of the old one for 14 or 15 June. Payment can be made beforehand even if collection is later.
Strategy 2: Use a replacement car. Many dealerships selling new cars offer a courtesy or replacement car during the period between handing over the old one and the arrival of the new one. Ask the dealership where you are buying if they offer this service.
Strategy 3: Opt for a subscription car or short-term rental. If the gap is just a few days, a hire car for £25-40 a day can be the simplest solution. For longer gaps, a flexible one-month subscription might be more economical.
Strategy 4: Do not sell until you have the new one secured. Value your car and receive offers (to have a price reference), but do not accept until you have a firm delivery date for the new one. Dealcar offers can be renewed or requested again if weeks pass. This way, you are never left without a car.
Finance: how your old car affects the terms
If you are going to finance the new car, what you get for the old one directly affects the loan terms.
Larger deposit = better conditions. The more money you put forward as a deposit (coming from the sale of the old one), the less you finance, the lower the monthly payments and, in many cases, the better interest rate you are offered. The difference between putting down a £9,000 deposit (part-exchange) and £11,000 (independent sale) can result in lower monthly payments throughout the life of the loan.
Example with numbers. You buy a car for £25,000. With a £9,000 part-exchange value, you finance £16,000. With an independent sale of £11,000, you finance £14,000. The difference of £2,000 financed at 7% over 5 years represents around £200 in interest savings. Combined with the £2,000 difference in the price of the old car, the total saving is £2,200.
If your old car has outstanding finance. You need to settle the outstanding finance on the old one before you can transfer it. Professional dealers buying through Dealcar manage the settlement as part of the transaction (deducting the debt from the price). Read our guide on how to sell a car with outstanding finance for more details.
Dealcar: value your car for free and receive offers from dealers
Before accepting a part-exchange offer, check the real value of your car. With Dealcar, you can value your car for free in less than 30 seconds and receive offers from over 1,000 dealers competing with each other.
You can use the offers as a reference to negotiate a part-exchange or sell directly to the highest bidder and buy the new one with more money in your pocket.
100% free for you. No commissions or hidden costs.
You get paid before handing over the keys. Bank transfer before delivering the car.
Home collection. You can agree the collection date.
No paperwork. The buyer manages ownership transfer, the DVLA and all the documentation.
On average, £1,400 more than selling on classified sites.
Over 12,000 cars sold and an average rating of 4.9 out of 5.
Use Dealcar's free valuation tool.
Frequently asked questions
How much more do I get selling on my own vs part-exchange?
On average, between £1,000 and £3,000 more, depending on the value of your car. The more your old car is worth, the wider the difference. For cars worth over £15,000, the difference almost always justifies the effort of selling separately.
Can I be left without a car if I sell before buying?
Not necessarily. If you coordinate the collection date of the old one with the delivery of the new one, you can make the transition without a gap. If there is a buffer of a few days, a short hire or a courtesy car from the dealership will solve the problem.
Is part-exchange always a bad option?
No. For cars worth less than £5,000, the difference with an independent sale might only be £200-500, and the convenience of part-exchange may make up for it. For people who have neither the time nor the desire to manage a sale, part-exchange is also valuable. But for cars worth over £10,000, part-exchange usually means giving up a significant amount of money.
Can I use Dealcar offers to negotiate part-exchange?
Yes. If you have an offer of £11,500 from a Dealcar dealer, you can tell the dealership where you are buying: "I have an offer of £11,500 for my car. Can you get close to that figure for the part-exchange?". It does not always work, but at least you are negotiating with real information.
What happens if my old car has outstanding finance?
If you sell through Dealcar, the buying dealership manages the settlement of the finance as part of the transaction, deducting the outstanding debt from the final price. If you do a part-exchange, the dealership can also manage this. In both cases, finance is not an obstacle to changing your car.
Table of Contents
The three ways to change cars
Option 1: Part-exchange at the dealership where you buy
Option 2: Sell your car separately and buy afterwards
Option 3: Sell and buy in a coordinated way
How much money you lose with part-exchange vs selling on your own
How to coordinate timescales so you are not left without a car
Finance: how your old car affects the terms
Frequently asked questions
Changing your car is one of the most important financial decisions a family makes. Not just because of the price of the new car, but because of what you get (or miss out on getting) for the old one. The difference between making the change well or doing it out of inertia can be between £2,000 and £4,000.
Most people choose the most convenient option: they go to the dealership, choose the new car and hand over the old one as part-payment. It is quick, simple and what everyone does. But it is also what costs you the most money, because the dealership pays you less for your old car than you could obtain on your own.
In this article we explain the three ways to change cars, how much each one costs you and how to coordinate the logistics so you are not left without a vehicle.
The three ways to change cars
When you want to switch from one car to another, there are three possible paths. Each one has a different balance between convenience and financial outcome.
Dealer part-exchange. You hand over your old car to the dealership where you buy the new one. A single transaction, one place, zero management. But the price they offer you for the old one is the lowest of the three options.
Independent sale and separate purchase. You sell your old car on your own (or through a platform with dealership bidding) and then buy the new one with the money in hand. Two separate transactions, more work, but the best financial outcome.
Coordinated sale and purchase. A middle ground: you start the selling process for the old one before closing the purchase of the new one, coordinating the timescales so both transactions overlap without leaving you without a car. It combines a good price with reasonable logistics.
Option 1: Part-exchange at the dealership where you buy
This is what most people do. You go to the dealership, choose the new car, mention that you have one to hand over, the salesperson values it and deducts the amount from the price of the new one. You sign a single contract and take the new car on the day you hand over the old one.
Advantages. Absolute convenience: one transaction, one place, one contact. You are never left without a car. The dealership manages all the paperwork for both vehicles.
Disadvantages. The part-exchange value is usually between 10% and 25% lower than your car's market value. On a £12,000 car, that can be between £1,200 and £3,000 less. Furthermore, the transaction is presented as a "package" where it is hard to tell if you are getting a good price for the old one or if the discount on the new one is compensating for a low part-exchange offer.
If you want to understand in detail how part-exchange works and how to negotiate it, check our guide on car part-exchange: what it is and how it works.
Option 2: Sell your car separately and buy afterwards
You sell your old car first at the best possible price and then, with the money available, you buy the new one at the dealership of your choice. They are two completely independent transactions.
Advantages. You get the best price for your old car because you do not depend on a single buyer (the dealership where you are going to buy). You negotiate the price of the new car from a position of strength: you do not need the dealership to "accept" your old one, so you only negotiate one figure, not two. And you can buy the new one wherever you want, not just where they accept your part-exchange.
Disadvantages. You need to coordinate timescales so you are not left without a car. There is an interim period (between selling the old one and buying the new one) where you might need alternative transport. And the administrative management is double: paperwork to sell the old one and paperwork to buy the new one.
How much you can gain. The difference between the dealer's part-exchange price and what you can get by selling on your own (especially if several dealerships compete for your car through Dealcar) is usually between £1,000 and £3,000. That figure is real money that you can put towards better equipment for the new car, a larger deposit or simply keep in your pocket.
To maximise what you get, read our strategies to get the best price for your car.
Option 3: Sell and buy in a coordinated way
This is the middle ground that combines a good price with reasonable logistics. You start the sale of the old one before closing the purchase of the new one, and coordinate timescales so both transactions overlap.
How it works in practice:
Week 1. You value your old car with Dealcar and receive offers from dealerships. At the same time, you start looking for the new car at dealerships (visits, quotes, test drives).
Week 2. You have the offers for the old one and an approximate price for the new one. You know how much money you will have from the old one and how much you need for the new one. You can make decisions with real numbers.
Week 3. You accept the best offer for the old one and agree a collection date that coincides with the delivery of the new one. You close the purchase of the new one.
Day D. The Dealcar buyer collects your old car from your home and the dealership delivers your new one. Ideally on the same day or with a 1-2 day buffer.
The key to coordination. When you accept an offer on Dealcar, you can agree the collection date with the buying dealer. This gives you flexibility to synchronise with the delivery of the new car. Most professional dealers are flexible with dates once the transaction is closed.
Once the old one is sold, do not forget the subsequent paperwork. Check what to do after selling a car.
How much money you lose with part-exchange vs selling on your own
Let's look at the numbers with three real scenarios.
Medium-value car: Peugeot 3008 1.5 BlueHDi, 2020, 55,000 km
Market value: €19,000. Dealer part-exchange: €15,500-16,500 (15-18% less). Sale with Dealcar (dealer bidding): €17,800-18,500. Difference: €1,300-2,500 in favour of the independent sale.
High-value car: BMW X3 xDrive20d, 2021, 40,000 km
Market value: €32,000. Dealer part-exchange: €26,000-28,000. Sale with Dealcar: €30,000-31,500. Difference: €2,000-4,000.
Low-value car: Seat Ibiza 1.0 TSI, 2018, 80,000 km
Market value: €9,000. Dealer part-exchange: €7,200-7,800. Sale with Dealcar: €8,200-8,700. Difference: €400-1,000.
To find out the real value of your car before negotiating, check how to know how much your car is worth.
The pattern is clear: the more your car is worth, the more money you lose with part-exchange in absolute terms. A 15% discount on €9,000 is €1,350. A 15% discount on €32,000 is €4,800. For cars worth over €15,000, the difference more than justifies the effort of selling separately.
How to coordinate timescales so you are not left without a car
This is the main concern of anyone selling separately. Nobody wants to be without a car for two weeks, waiting for the new one to arrive while the old one is already gone.
Strategy 1: Sell with an agreed collection date. When you accept an offer on Dealcar, you can agree a specific collection date with the buying dealer. If you know your new car will be ready on 15 June, you arrange collection of the old one for 14 or 15 June. Payment can be made beforehand even if collection is later.
Strategy 2: Use a replacement car. Many dealerships selling new cars offer a courtesy or replacement car during the period between handing over the old one and the arrival of the new one. Ask the dealership where you are buying if they offer this service.
Strategy 3: Opt for a subscription car or short-term rental. If the gap is just a few days, a hire car for £25-40 a day can be the simplest solution. For longer gaps, a flexible one-month subscription might be more economical.
Strategy 4: Do not sell until you have the new one secured. Value your car and receive offers (to have a price reference), but do not accept until you have a firm delivery date for the new one. Dealcar offers can be renewed or requested again if weeks pass. This way, you are never left without a car.
Finance: how your old car affects the terms
If you are going to finance the new car, what you get for the old one directly affects the loan terms.
Larger deposit = better conditions. The more money you put forward as a deposit (coming from the sale of the old one), the less you finance, the lower the monthly payments and, in many cases, the better interest rate you are offered. The difference between putting down a £9,000 deposit (part-exchange) and £11,000 (independent sale) can result in lower monthly payments throughout the life of the loan.
Example with numbers. You buy a car for £25,000. With a £9,000 part-exchange value, you finance £16,000. With an independent sale of £11,000, you finance £14,000. The difference of £2,000 financed at 7% over 5 years represents around £200 in interest savings. Combined with the £2,000 difference in the price of the old car, the total saving is £2,200.
If your old car has outstanding finance. You need to settle the outstanding finance on the old one before you can transfer it. Professional dealers buying through Dealcar manage the settlement as part of the transaction (deducting the debt from the price). Read our guide on how to sell a car with outstanding finance for more details.
Dealcar: value your car for free and receive offers from dealers
Before accepting a part-exchange offer, check the real value of your car. With Dealcar, you can value your car for free in less than 30 seconds and receive offers from over 1,000 dealers competing with each other.
You can use the offers as a reference to negotiate a part-exchange or sell directly to the highest bidder and buy the new one with more money in your pocket.
100% free for you. No commissions or hidden costs.
You get paid before handing over the keys. Bank transfer before delivering the car.
Home collection. You can agree the collection date.
No paperwork. The buyer manages ownership transfer, the DVLA and all the documentation.
On average, £1,400 more than selling on classified sites.
Over 12,000 cars sold and an average rating of 4.9 out of 5.
Use Dealcar's free valuation tool.
Frequently asked questions
How much more do I get selling on my own vs part-exchange?
On average, between £1,000 and £3,000 more, depending on the value of your car. The more your old car is worth, the wider the difference. For cars worth over £15,000, the difference almost always justifies the effort of selling separately.
Can I be left without a car if I sell before buying?
Not necessarily. If you coordinate the collection date of the old one with the delivery of the new one, you can make the transition without a gap. If there is a buffer of a few days, a short hire or a courtesy car from the dealership will solve the problem.
Is part-exchange always a bad option?
No. For cars worth less than £5,000, the difference with an independent sale might only be £200-500, and the convenience of part-exchange may make up for it. For people who have neither the time nor the desire to manage a sale, part-exchange is also valuable. But for cars worth over £10,000, part-exchange usually means giving up a significant amount of money.
Can I use Dealcar offers to negotiate part-exchange?
Yes. If you have an offer of £11,500 from a Dealcar dealer, you can tell the dealership where you are buying: "I have an offer of £11,500 for my car. Can you get close to that figure for the part-exchange?". It does not always work, but at least you are negotiating with real information.
What happens if my old car has outstanding finance?
If you sell through Dealcar, the buying dealership manages the settlement of the finance as part of the transaction, deducting the outstanding debt from the final price. If you do a part-exchange, the dealership can also manage this. In both cases, finance is not an obstacle to changing your car.
