Selling Your Car: DIY vs Broker

Private Sale vs Broker: The Complete Comparison

The used car market in SEQ is strong, but selling a car yourself can be a serious time commitment. Let's break down your options so you can make the right choice.

Option 1: Private Sale (DIY)

Selling privately means you handle everything yourself—photos, listings, enquiries, inspections, negotiations, and paperwork.

The Pros:

• Maximum potential price: No middleman taking a cut
• Full control: You decide who sees the car and when
• Direct negotiation: You know your car's history better than anyone

The Cons:

• Time commitment: Expect 20-40+ hours of work over several weeks
• Tyre kickers: "Is this available?" messages with no follow-up
• No-shows: People book inspections and don't turn up
• Strangers at your home: Security and privacy concerns
• Lowball offers: "Will you take $8,000?" on a $15,000 car
• Scam risk: Fake payments, overseas buyers, dodgy bank cheques
• Paperwork headaches: Transfer forms, safety certificates, PPSR

Real time investment:

Task	Time Required
Clean and detail car	3-5 hours
Take quality photos	1-2 hours
Write listing, research pricing	2-3 hours
Respond to enquiries	5-10+ hours
Arrange inspections	3-5 hours
Handle negotiations	2-5 hours
Complete paperwork/transfer	1-2 hours
Total	17-32+ hours

And that's if everything goes smoothly.

Option 2: Dealer Trade-In

Trading in at a dealership is quick but costly.

The Pros:

• Instant and hassle-free
• No marketing or inspections needed
• Handles all paperwork

The Cons:

• Lowest price: Typically 15-25% below market value
• Dealers need to profit on resale
• Limited negotiation room
• May pressure you into buying from them

Example: Private sale value: $25,000 Trade-in offer: $20,000-$21,000

That's $4,000-$5,000 left on the table for convenience.

Option 3: Car Broker (Consignment)

A broker sells your car on your behalf, accessing retail buyers while handling all the work.

The Pros:

• Higher price than trade-in: We reach retail buyers, not wholesale
• No time wasters: We qualify every enquiry
• Professional marketing: Quality photos, optimised listings
• No strangers at your house: We handle all inspections
• Safety certificate advice: We know what's needed
• Paperwork handled: Transfer, PPSR, everything sorted

The Cons:

• Takes slightly longer than trade-in (typically 2-4 weeks)
• Commission or fee structure (transparent and agreed upfront)

How it compares:

Method	Sale Price	Your Effort	Time to Sell
Private sale	Highest	Highest	Varies (weeks-months)
Broker	Good (close to private)	Minimal	2-4 weeks typical
Trade-in	Lowest	None	Instant

The Gold Coast Factor

Selling on the Gold Coast has some unique considerations:

High demand: Lots of people moving to the area means steady buyer interest.

Coastal concerns: Salt air affects vehicles. Buyers may be wary of rust—have your car inspected first.

Holiday fluctuations: Market can slow during peak holiday seasons (everyone's at the beach, not car shopping).

Competition: Lots of cars for sale. Quality presentation matters.

Which Option Is Right for You?

Choose private sale if:

• Your time is flexible
• You're comfortable with negotiation
• You have somewhere safe to show the car
• You enjoy the process (some people do!)

Choose trade-in if:

• You need the money today
• The car is worth under $8,000 (the gap is smaller)
• You're buying from the same dealer anyway
• Convenience matters more than money

Choose a broker if:

• You want more than trade-in but can't be bothered with private sale
• You value your time
• You don't want strangers at your home
• You want professional handling of the process

How We Work at SEQ Car Brokers

Our consignment service is straightforward:

1. Free valuation: We assess your car and give you a realistic price range
2. We handle marketing: Professional photos, listings on Carsales, Facebook, and more
3. We manage enquiries: No calls to your phone
4. We conduct inspections: At our location or a safe meeting point
5. We negotiate: Getting the best price for you
6. We complete paperwork: Transfer, PPSR checks, everything

Our fee: Transparent, agreed upfront, only payable when your car sells.

Ready to Sell?

Whether you're in Surfers Paradise, Robina, or anywhere on the Gold Coast, we can help. Get a free valuation with no obligation—even if you decide to sell privately, at least you'll know what your car is worth.