How to Sell Your Car Quickly in Brisbane, Gold Coast & Sunshine Coast

When You Need to Sell Fast

Sometimes life doesn't wait. You're relocating for work, upgrading to something bigger, or the finance is due. Whatever the reason, you need your car sold—and you need it sold now.

Here's how to sell your car quickly in South East Queensland without leaving money on the table.

Your Options: Speed vs Value

Let's be upfront about the trade-off. Generally, faster sale = lower price. But not always. Here's the landscape:

Method	Speed	Price	Your Effort
Instant car buyers	Same day	Lowest	Minimal
Dealer trade-in	Same day	Low	None
Broker (us)	1-2 weeks	Good-High	Minimal
Private sale (priced right)	1-3 weeks	Highest	High
Private sale (overpriced)	Months	Maybe highest	Exhausting

Option 1: Same-Day Sale

Instant Car Buyers

Services like Pickles, Carsales Instant Offer, and dedicated car buying services will make you an offer today and pay you tomorrow.

How it works:

1. Enter your car details online
2. Get an instant quote (ballpark)
3. Book an inspection
4. Accept the offer (or not)
5. Get paid, usually within 24-48 hours

Expect: 15-25% below retail private sale value

Best for:

• When you genuinely can't wait
• Older or higher-km vehicles
• Cars with mechanical issues you don't want to disclose/fix

Dealer Trade-In

Walk into any dealership and they'll offer to buy your car—whether or not you're buying from them.

Advantages: Done in hours, no strangers at your house, no ads to write

Disadvantages: Typically the lowest price you'll get

Pro tip: Even if you're trading in, get quotes from 3+ dealers. We've seen $4,000+ variation for the same vehicle. Dealers value cars based on what they think they can sell it for, and that differs wildly.

Option 2: Fast Private Sale (1-2 Weeks)

If you have a week or two, private sale becomes realistic—with the right approach.

Price to Sell, Not to Dream

The number one reason cars don't sell is overpricing. Sellers look at what others are asking, add a bit "because mine is nicer," and then wonder why nobody calls.

Check real market value:

• Carsales (filter by similar specs)
• Facebook Marketplace
• RedBook/CarsGuide valuations

For a fast sale: Price 5-10% below comparable listings. Your phone will ring immediately.

Photography That Sells

In SEQ's competitive market, your photos need to stand out.

Essential shots:

• Front 3/4 angle (hero shot—make it count)
• Rear 3/4 angle
• Driver's seat perspective
• Dashboard/gauge cluster
• Rear seats
• Boot space
• Engine bay
• Odometer
• Any imperfections (transparency builds trust)

Brisbane tips:

• Morning light in your driveway works brilliantly
• Avoid harsh midday shadows
• Park somewhere clean—not next to bins or building sites
• Interior should be spotless, exterior washed

Write a Compelling Listing

Include:

• Year, make, model, variant (exact)
• Kilometres
• Service history status
• Rego expiry
• Key features and options
• Reason for selling (optional but helpful)
• Known issues (be honest—buyers respect it)

Avoid: "Must see to believe," "reluctant sale," "lady owner," or any cliché that adds nothing.

List Everywhere

For maximum reach in SEQ:

1. Facebook Marketplace – Where most buyers start
2. Carsales – Higher quality enquiries, worth the listing fee
3. Gumtree – Still active, broader audience
4. Local community groups – "Brisbane Buy Swap Sell" etc.

Respond Immediately

Buyers often message multiple sellers simultaneously. First responder often wins. Enable notifications and reply within the hour.

Option 3: Use a Broker

This is what we do at SEQ Car Brokers. We handle the selling process for you—professionally, quickly, and at a fair price.

What we manage:

• Photography and listing across all platforms
• All enquiries and tyre-kicker filtering
• Inspection scheduling and hosting
• Negotiation (we're good at this)
• Paperwork and settlement

Speed: Typically 1-2 weeks for well-priced vehicles

Price: Close to private sale value, without private sale hassle

Best for:

• Busy professionals who can't deal with enquiries all day
• People who don't want strangers at their home
• Those who'd rather not negotiate
• Quality vehicles that deserve proper marketing

Fast Sale Checklist

Before You List

• Give the car a thorough clean (inside and out)
• Check all lights and indicators work
• Gather service history, logbook, spare key
• Get Safety Certificate (or decide to sell without)
• Run PPSR on your own car (know what buyers will find)
• Research realistic price point

Your Listing

• Clear, specific title
• All key specs included
• 10+ quality photos
• Honest description
• Price or "offers around $X"
• Your contact method

During the Sale

• Respond to enquiries same-day
• Be flexible on inspection times
• Have paperwork ready
• Know your bottom line
• Use safe payment methods only

Safety Certificate: Yes or No?

In Queensland, you generally need a Safety Certificate for the buyer to transfer registration.

Get one if:

• Your car will pass with minimal work
• You want the widest buyer pool
• You're aiming for top dollar

Skip it if:

• Repairs would be expensive
• You're selling to a dealer
• You're selling as "unregistered"

Not sure? We can advise whether it makes financial sense for your specific situation.

Avoiding Scams

Fast sales attract fast scammers. Protect yourself:

Red flags:

• "I'll pay more than asking if you ship it"
• "My assistant will collect it"
• Bank cheques from interstate (verify with the issuing bank directly)
• Any urgency that doesn't let you think

Safe payment:

• Cash for lower values (meet at a bank if large amount)
• Bank transfer (verify funds cleared before handover)
• Never release keys until payment is confirmed

SEQ-Specific Tips

Brisbane

The biggest market means the most competition. Stand out with quality photos, competitive pricing, and fast responses. Buyers here have options—make it easy for them to choose you.

Gold Coast

Lifestyle market. Convertibles, sporty cars, and family SUVs do well. Highlight beach/road trip suitability.

Sunshine Coast

Similar to Gold Coast but with more families. Practical vehicles and fuel-efficient cars are popular. Mention if serviced locally—buyers like that.

Our Consignment Service

Need to sell quickly but don't want to be ripped off by instant buyers? Our consignment service delivers:

• Speed: Most cars sold within 2 weeks
• Price: Significantly better than trade-in or instant buyers
• Effort: Almost none from you

We'll give you an honest assessment upfront. If your timeframe is too tight for our process, we'll tell you—and recommend the best alternative.

Get a free, fast valuation and see what your car is really worth.