How to Get the Best Cash for Your Second-Hand Car in Perth

Most Perth drivers leave money on the table when selling an old vehicle. They take the first reasonable offer, hand over the keys, and then find out the car was worth a few hundred dollars more. Sometimes it’s worth a whole lot more.

After witnessing the buying and selling of cars in Perth for years, I can assure you that the sellers who get top dollar aren’t just lucky. There is a simple process. They know what their car is worth, they have their paperwork on hand, they compare more than one quote and they know exactly what they are signing.

This guide walks you through that process, step by step. These steps will help you get the best cash for your car, whether you are selling a tidy family SUV in Joondalup, a tired ute in Midland or a non-runner that has been sitting in a Rockingham driveway for two years. 

The short answer

To get the best cash for cars in Perth, assess your car's realistic value, describe its condition in good faith, have your licence papers and ID ready, and get at least three written quotes. Select a buyer who offers free removal, pays on the spot and confirms the price in writing. Then tell the Department of Transport within 7 days of the sale. 

Step 1: Find out what your car is really worth

You can't judge an offer without knowing what number you're trying to get. Start with the basics: make, model, year, kilometres and if the car runs.

Then check what similar cars are going for in Perth at the moment. Check out the same model and similar kilometres on carsales, gumtree & facebook marketplace. Remember that advertized prices are asking prices, not sale prices. Most private cars are sold below the asking price.

Knowing the three prices you will encounter is also helpful: 

• Private sale price. The highest figure, but you'll be faced with ads, tyre-kickers, test drives and payment risk.
• Trade in price. Quick and easy, but usually the lowest bid on a used car because the dealer needs to make a profit.
• Cash for cars prices. What a car buyer or wrecker pays for. This often provides the best return for older, damaged or unregistered cars as the value is in the parts and recyclable metal not resale.

Local demand counts, too. Good value in WA for Utes, 4WDs and popular Japanese models like the Hilux, Ranger, Corolla and Camry. Their parts are always in demand so even a damaged one can get a solid offer. 

Step 2: Be honest about your car's condition

The best way to get a quote is a truthful description. Buyers price cars according to what you tell them. If that car shows up with the problems you didn't mention, expect to see that offer disappear.

• Before requesting quotes, make note of:
• If it starts, drives and is registered
• Mechanical faults, warning lights or over-heating
• damage from accidents, hail or flood
• Missing parts such as battery, wheels or catalytic converter
• Body condition including rust, paint damage

The climate of Perth has its own influence. Strong sun fades paint over the years, cracks dashboards and perishes rubber seals. Cars parked near the coast in suburbs like Scarborough, Cottesloe and Fremantle often get rust underneath from the salt air. Say these things in the beginning. But still a good buyer will see them.

Take some clear photos in daylight, all four sides, interior, odometer, damage. Good photos help buyers give accurate phone quotes, which leads to fewer surprises on pick up day. 

Step 3: Get your documents in order

Paperwork problems hold up sales and provide buyers an excuse to lower their price. Please have these ready before booking a pick up:

• WA driver’s license or other photo ID
• Vehicle licence papers (WA's term for registration papers) if you have them
• Proof of ownership, such as the original purchase receipt or licence papers registered in your name
• A running car offers value in service history and spare keys

If you still owe money on the car, the finance has to be paid out before ownership can change. You can search the national Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) to see if there’s any registered debt. Reputable buyers check this anyway, so it’s better to know first.

You lost your papers or let the rego go? You can often still sell. You can sell an unregistered car, and a reputable cash for cars buyer will accept other proof of ownership besides your ID. Just let them know when you call. 

Step 4: Prepare the car for sale

A little preparation is value added. That rarely happens with costly repairs.

A wash, vacuum and clean out can boost the offer on a running car in reasonable shape as it signals a cared for car. If it's a wreck or doesn't run, cleaning it won't affect price much so don't waste your weekend cleaning it.

Whatever the condition of the car:

• Take off your personal effects. Check the glovebox, trunk, door pockets and under the seats. Garage remotes, sunglasses, dashcams and paperwork with personal details are often forgotten.
• Do not strip parts. Remove the battery, wheels, catalytic converter or stereo before selling and you'll generally get less money in the sale than the parts are worth by themselves.
• Don’t do major repairs. $1,500 on a gearbox rarely adds $1,500 to a cash offer. It might be worth it for a cheap fix, like a new battery to get the car going.
• Choose your plates. If you have personalised or custom plates that you wish to retain, you will have to exchange them for standard plates at a Department of Transport service centre before selling. 

Step 5: Get at least three quotes and compare them properly

This is the step that can make the biggest difference to the cash you walk away with. Every buyer values different parts, models and metals, so quotes for the same car can vary by hundreds of dollars.

All buyers need to have the same information and photos then ask these questions:

1. This is the amount I will get in hand, no deductions?
2. If the car is as I describe, is this quote guaranteed?
3. Are you charging for towing or deducting it from the price?
4. When and how will you pay me?
5. Can you get the offer in writing, by text or email?

The highest number is not always the best offer. Beware of the classic driveway switch: the buyer quotes high on the phone, then finds “problems” upon arrival and cuts the price after you’ve cleared your morning. Other red flags are pressure to make an instant decision, no business name or ABN, and vague answers about costs.

A good written quote from a solid local company is better than a bigger verbal figure from someone you can't check up on. 

Step 6: Check removal costs before you agree

It takes money to move a non-running car. A private tow across Perth can cost a few hundred dollars, easily more than the value of an old car.

That's why free car removal in Perth is important. Most reputable cash for cars buyers such as WA Car Removals will include towing in the quote. But check a couple of details before you book:

• Is there anywhere in the Perth metro area that will remove it free?
• If the car won't start, has flat tyres or no wheels, is it still free?
• Will I be charged if the car is parked in an underground car park, a backyard or a tight laneway?

Notify the buyer of any access issues when you make a booking. A tow driver with the wrong truck for a car that’s behind a side gate is a wasted trip for everyone, and sometimes a reason to re-negotiate. 

Step 7: Get paid before the car leaves

Don't let the car go till you got your money." Payment should be made at the point of delivery.

If you take a bank transfer, make sure the money has actually cleared in your account before handing over the keys. Most banks now do instant transfers through PayID or Osko so there’s no reason to wait. Beware those who want to pay "after the car's been inspected at the yard".

Request a written receipt that includes:

• Buyers business name and ABN number
• agreed price date and time .
• Make, model, license plate number and VIN
• Odometer reading at time of pickup

This receipt is your proof of change of ownership on a specific date. You will want it if you get a parking ticket, or a speed camera fine. 

Step 8: Finalise the sale and notify the Department of Transport

The sale doesn’t end when the tow truck drives away. In WA the seller must notify the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (still commonly referred to as the Department of Transport or DoT) within 7 days of the sale. If you don't, there are penalties and you could still be responsible for the car on paper.

There are two ways to do this:

• Online at DoTDirect. You need the date of sale, the selling price, the plate number, and the name and address of the buyer.
• On paper, with the MR9 form. Complete and lodge the seller's (blue) copy and give the buyer the purchaser's (red) copy and the current licence papers.

The buyer then has 14 days to complete their part of the transfer. The full details can be found on the DoT’s page on selling a vehicle.

If your car is heading for the wreckers and you have months of rego left on it, ask the buyer what they do with the plates. You may apply for a pro-rata refund of the unused licence period if you return the plates to a Driver and Vehicle Services centre. Don’t hold onto them because the refund is based on the date the plates are returned.

Finally, cancel your car insurance and any roadside assistance membership associated with the car. Refundable unused premiums Many sellers forget that unused premiums are often refundable. 

Why Perth sellers choose WA Car Removals

WA Car Removals is a local Perth business and we’ve built our name doing what this guide says. We give you a quote up front based on what you tell us, we stick to it when the car matches the description, and we never charge for towing anywhere across the Perth metro area.

We buy any make of car, ute, van, 4WD and SUV in any condition. It doesn't matter if it runs or not, registered or not, had an accident or is just worn out, we'll make you a fair offer. We pay you on the spot before the car leaves your driveway, give you a written receipt and walk you through the transfer paperwork.

Cars that cannot be returned to the road go through our recycling process. We recycle the metal and salvage reusable parts so very little goes to landfill. 

The bottom line

To get the best cash for your car in Perth it’s all about preparation and a little patience. Know the value of your car, be honest about it, have the paperwork ready and shop around for written quotes. Must be removed free of charge, and paid for on the spot and reported to the Department of Transport within 7 days.

Want to know how much your car is worth? Call WA Car Removals or get a free quote online. We’ll give you an honest answer, a good price and a hassle free pickup, often the same day. 

Frequently asked questions

How much can I sell my car for in Perth?

Depends on the make, model, age, condition and current demand for its parts and metal. The going rate for an old scrap car might be a few hundred dollars, but a newer running one might be several thousand dollars. The fastest way to find out is to get a free quote with actual details & photos.

Can you sell an unregistered car in Perth?

Yes. WA Car Removals is one of many Perth cash for cars buyers who will buy unregistered cars. You will need photo ID and proof of ownership of the car e.g. old licence papers or a purchase receipt. An unregistered car can’t be driven legally, so the buyer will have to tow it away.

Do you purchase junk cars?

Yes. Cars that are not running, damaged, flooded or written off still have value in parts and metal. Make sure to tell the buyer upfront that the car doesn’t start, so the quote is for the actual condition of the car and the right tow truck shows up on the day.

How long do I have to wait to get paid?

With a reputable buyer, you will be paid on the spot at pick-up, either in cash or by instant bank transfer. Same day or next day pick-up is often available. Do not give the keys until the money is in your hand or in your account.

Selling to a Car Removal Company – Do I have to tell the Department of Transport?

Yes. In WA the seller must inform the Department of Transport within 7 days of selling or otherwise disposing of a vehicle, no matter who the buyer is. You can do this online via DoTDirect or by lodging the seller's copy of the MR9 form.

Is car removal in Perth really free?

It should be, but always check. Ask if the price quoted is the price you will get, with no towing fees, admin fees or “difficult access” fees deducted. Get the offer in writing so there is no confusion on pick-up day.

Can I sell my car if I have a loan on it?

Yeah but the finance has got to be paid out before the ownership transfer.” Talk to your lender for a payout figure, then bargain with the buyer over the sale. It’s best to clear any debt first as a buyer will generally check the PPSR before paying.