Sell My Car

We'll guarantee your online valuation for 7 days when you book an appointment with us. This gives you time to think about it without feeling rushed. Just remember, the final offer will depend on your car matching the condition you've described online when we see it in person. If there's anything different - such as extra scratches, higher mileage than stated, or missing service history - we'll need to adjust the price accordingly.

Not at all! Our valuations are completely free, and there's no obligation to sell your car to us. We're not going to pressure you or make you feel awkward if you decide not to go ahead. Have a look at what we're offering, compare it with other options if you want, and only sell to us if you're genuinely happy with the deal.

Once you've got your online valuation and booked an appointment, the actual selling process at our showroom typically takes about an hour. We'll inspect your car to make sure it matches what you've told us online, sort out all the paperwork, and arrange payment. If you're in a rush, give us a call beforehand and we'll do our best to speed things along.

Here's what you'll need to bring to your appointment:

• V5C logbook (the car's registration document) with your name on it as the registered keeper
• MOT certificate (if your car is over 3 years old)
• Service history (if you have it - really helps with the valuation)
• All keys, including any spares
• Photo ID (driving licence or passport)
• Proof of address (bank statement or utility bill from the last 3 months)
• User manual and any accessories that came with the car (locking wheel nut key, memory cards, etc.)
• Finance settlement letter (if you still have outstanding finance - we'll cover this below)

If you're missing any of these, give us a ring and we'll let you know if it's a deal-breaker or something we can work around.

Don't panic - it happens! You can apply for a replacement V5C from the DVLA, which costs £25. It usually takes about 5 to 7 working days to arrive. We'd recommend waiting for the replacement before selling, as it makes the whole process much smoother and helps prove you're the legal owner. If you're in a rush, give us a call and we'll see what we can do.

If your car is over 3 years old, yes, you'll need a valid MOT certificate. The good news is your car doesn't need to have just passed its MOT - as long as it's still valid (not expired), that's fine. If your MOT has expired, you'll need to get it MOT'd before we can buy it. You can check your MOT history and status on the Government website if you're not sure.

A full service history (FSH) definitely helps your car's value, but not having one doesn't mean we won't buy it. We'll still give you a fair price based on the car's overall condition. If you've had the car serviced but don't have the stamps in the book, any receipts will help. Even if you've got nothing, we'll still have a look - we judge each car on its own merits.

Yes, absolutely! Loads of our customers sell cars that still have outstanding finance. Here's how it works:

• Get a settlement figure from your finance company (this tells you exactly how much you still owe)
• Bring this settlement letter with you to your appointment - it needs to show the final amount and your finance company's bank details
• We'll handle the rest - we can pay off your finance company directly, and you'll get the remaining amount (if there's any equity left)

Important bit: If you owe more than your car's worth (this is known as negative equity), you'll need to pay the difference. For example, if we value your car at £8,000 but you owe £9,000, you'd need to pay that £1,000 to clear the finance. We can talk you through this at your appointment.

Once we've agreed on the price and all the paperwork's sorted, we'll pay you by bank transfer directly into your account (this can take 3 to 5 working days in some cases). We don't do cash payments, and we don't charge any sneaky admin fees either - what we agree is what you get.

Selling your car to us means you just get the money (or we clear your finance if you have any), and then you're done. You can use that money for whatever you like.

Part exchange means you trade your current car in against one of our used cars. The value of your car goes towards the cost of your next one, so you'd pay less (or need less finance) for your replacement vehicle. The big advantage is you're not left without a car during the process.

Both options start the same way - we value your car and agree on a price. It's then up to you which route you prefer.

Lots of things, really. Here are the main ones:

1. Make and model - some cars are just more desirable than others
2. Age - newer cars are generally worth more
3. Mileage - lower mileage usually means better value
4. Condition - bodywork, interior, and mechanical condition all matter
5. Service history - full service history adds value
6. MOT length - more months left on the MOT helps
7. Number of previous owners - fewer is generally better
8. Colour - yes, really! Silver, black, white, and grey tend to be more popular
9. Modifications - can increase or decrease value depending on what they are
10. Market demand - some cars are just hot property right now

You don't have to, but it definitely doesn't hurt! We're going to assess your car based on its actual condition, regardless, but presenting a clean car shows you've looked after it and helps us see the true condition of the paintwork and interior. A quick wash and hoover is plenty - no need to go mad with professional valets. 

If there's extra damage we weren't expecting, higher mileage than stated, or the condition isn't quite what you described, we'll need to adjust our offer. We'll explain exactly why and show you how we've calculated the new price. You're under no obligation to accept it - if you're not happy, no hard feelings, and you can take your car elsewhere. We'd rather be upfront than have anyone feel misled.

Insurance: Cancel it as soon as the sale's complete. If you don't, you could be held responsible for any claims or accidents involving the car after you've sold it. Your insurance company should refund you for any unused months. Give them a call on the same day you sell.

Road tax: The good news is you'll automatically get a refund for any full months of tax remaining. The DVLA will send you a cheque. The bad news is the tax doesn't transfer to the new owner - but that's our problem, not yours!

Important: You MUST notify the DVLA that you've sold your car. This is really important for legal reasons. You can do it online using the 11-digit reference number from the V5C, or by filling in the V5C/2 section of your logbook and sending it to the DVLA.

Yes! If you've got a cherished registration you want to keep or transfer to another car, you'll need to fill in a V317 form (available on the Government website) and send it to the DVLA along with a fee (currently £80). 

This needs to be done before you sell the car to us. We can still buy your car during this process, but just give us a heads up so we know you're transferring the plate off. The car will then be given an age-related registration.

Yes, we'd prefer you to be there. It makes the whole process smoother and means we can ask you questions about the car's history and condition. Plus, you'll be able to see exactly what we're looking at and understand how we've reached our valuation.

Before you've signed the paperwork and we've transferred ownership, you can change your mind - that's fine. Once everything's signed and ownership has been transferred, it becomes more complicated. The best thing to do is make sure you're certain before you sign on the dotted line. Take your time, ask questions, and only proceed when you're completely happy.

Yes, we service all makes and models of cars at our Essex workshop, but this service is exclusively available to customers who purchase a service plan with their vehicle from LMC. 

Whether you drive a Ford, BMW, Volkswagen, or any other brand, our experienced technicians can maintain your car to manufacturer standards. This ensures we provide the highest quality service to our valued customers while maintaining our commitment to excellence.