Do ‘We Buy Any Car’ Test Drive Your Car?

Inside a mercedes at we buy any car

If you’re looking for a new set of wheels, you’ll likely have an old vehicle to sell. There are so many ways to sell a car – you can do it privately, enlist the help of a dealer, or use a service like ‘We Buy Any Car’.

This article is here to advise you on what to expect if you choose to book a ‘We Buy Any Car’ appointment.

What you need to sell your car

Whichever way you choose to sell your vehicle, you need to ensure it’s looking its best, and take care that you have all of the relevant documents.

At the very least, you need your MOT certificates, a vehicle log book or V5, and any maintenance bills detailing the car’s service history. If you can provide evidence of insurance cover, this can also indicate that you’ve taken care to maintain your vehicle, which makes it more appealing for potential buyers.

It’s also worth taking the time to thoroughly clean your car prior to listing it on a private site or having a We Buy Any Car agent assess it. We Buy Any Car will reduce the car’s value based on any cosmetic or functional issues, so if you have the time and inclination, fixing any broken items is well worth your time and money. Replacing broken mirrors or cracked lights and buffing up any scratches is a good idea, as is repairing any faults.

Do ‘We Buy Any Car’ test drive your car?

Yes, ‘We Buy Any Car’ will perform a short test drive of your car. They’ll send an agent round to you who will check all of the relevant documentation, as well as conducting a thorough assessment of the car.

The agent is there to check whether the details that you provide about it on your online application match up with the vehicle. If they decide that the initial valuation is incorrect, they will advise on an amended valuation following the inspection.

We Buy Any Car will check the car’s exteriors for any cosmetic issues like scratches or dents. They’ll also check the basic functionalities of the vehicle – its windows, heater, air conditioning, and lights, and ensure that there are no warning lights on the dashboard. It’s best if your interiors are clean, too. They’ll ensure that the engine runs (they don’t purchase cars that don’t start), and check that the steering and brakes work effectively by performing a short test drive.

Once the inspection is over, they’ll advise on their final evaluation. If you’re happy with the price they offer, you can sell your car then and there. If you want to buy another vehicle, this makes you a potential cash buyer, which can unlock advantageous deals.

Buying a new car?

If you’re ready to trade in your car for a newer model, car finance can help you get the best upgrade possible, using the cash from your old car as a deposit. To get a better idea of your budget, get a car loan quote online with My Car Credit. We compare across our extensive network of lenders to find a fair deal, whatever your credit score.

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 10.9%

Evolution Funding Ltd T/A My Car Credit

My Credit Rating

Excellent

  • You are a home owner
  • You have been on the electoral role for a long period of time
  • You have current credit arrangements and mortgage with no defaults
  • You have no CCJs, credit arrears or missed payments
  • You rarely apply for credit
  • You are employed or self-employed

Good

  • You are on the electoral role
  • You are a home owner or long standing tenant
  • You have a stable employment history
  • You have current credit arrangements with occasional missed payments
  • You have no CCJs

Fair

  • You are or have recently been on the electoral role
  • You may have recently changed address
  • You may have occasional missed payments
  • You may have an old CCJ
  • You may have regularly applied for credit

Poor

  • You may have had frequent changes in address
  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • You may have exceeded credit card limits
  • You may have missed payments on current agreements
  • You may have had a CCJ in the past

Bad

  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • Your credit cards are over their limits
  • You have recent CCJs
  • You may have been refused credit elsewhere
  • You may be in a debt management plan
£

X monthly repayments of
£X

Typical rate

Loan amount

Total payable

X% APR*

£X

£X

*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 10.9%, annual interest rate (fixed) 10.87%, 47 monthly payments of £191.50 followed by 1 payment of £201.50 (incl. estimated £10 option to purchase fee), a deposit of £0.00, total cost of credit is £1,702, total amount payable £9,202.

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.

Require more help?

Got a question you can’t find the answer to, or need some advice and guidance around taking out car finance? Our Car Credit Specialists are friendly, experienced, and here to help so get in touch today!

Do ‘We Buy Any Car’ Buy Finance Cars

White BMW car

When it comes to selling your vehicle, We Buy Any Car makes some big promises. The car buying service operates more than 450 branches across the UK and as the name suggests, pledges to “buy any car”, making the process as quick, easy, and stress-free as possible. But what about cars that have been purchased on finance? Read on as we answer all your questions about whether We Buy Any Car buy finance cars and how to determine if the service is right for you.

Selling a financed car

There are all kinds of reasons why people choose to sell financed cars. Maybe you’ve outgrown your current vehicle and are looking to upgrade to a newer or larger model. Perhaps your financed car doesn’t suit your lifestyle as well as you’d hoped, or your financial situation has changed, and you can no longer commit to monthly repayments.

Whatever the scenario, selling a financed car is possible, if you have a good understanding of the process and your responsibilities as the owner or borrower. Basically, there are two different categories you can fall into:

You own the car outright

This scenario is by far the easiest of the two and means you have repaid your loan in full and own the car outright. A common scenario where this occurs is at the end of a Hire Purchase (HP) agreement, when you’ve finalised all payments towards the final cost of the car, plus settled the ‘option to purchase’ fee. This final payment sees you take full ownership of the vehicle. With it comes the freedom to sell the car however you like, including via the We Buy Any Car service.

There’s also the possibility to own your vehicle outright at the end of a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) loan. A common form of new car finance, these loans require an initial cash deposit followed by regular monthly payments. At the end of the contract, many people choose to trade in their vehicle for a new car purchased with another PCP contract.

There’s also the option to buy the car outright, which involves paying off the value of the car. This amount is usually determined at the start of the contract, with the value of your initial cash deposit generally subtracted from the total. There can sometimes be additional fees involved when buying a car at the end of a PCP loan, so it’s always worth checking with your lender before deciding. 

You’re still repaying the car

If you’re still paying instalments on a car purchased on finance, the process is a little more complicated. First, it’s important to understand that until all scheduled payments have been made and any remaining balances are cleared, the lender remains the legal owner of the car. So, before you can start asking “do We Buy Any Car buy finance cars”, you’ll need to settle all amounts owing and take full ownership of the vehicle.

This could involve ending a PCP loan or HP agreement early, which can incur additional costs. We take a closer look at both options below:

Selling a car on a HP agreement

If you’re still paying off instalments for an HP agreement, the lender legally owns the vehicle. This means you can’t sell it until all outstanding amounts have been settled. You’ll need to terminate the HP agreement early and absorb any additional fees. These can include an early exit fee, which can be as low as 0.5% of the total remaining amount if you have less than 12 months left on your contract. If you have more than 12 months remaining on your HP contract, the early exit fee could be around 1% of the total remaining amount. However, these fees will vary dependent on your individual finance agreement and lender.

Some lenders don’t charge exit fees but instead ask you to cover the total cost of the interest remaining, had you continued with the loan. Writing to the finance company to propose a settlement is another option. If you can agree on an amount, you’re free to sell the car once the balance has been settled.

Selling a car on PCP finance

Like an HP agreement, you can only sell a car purchased on PCP finance after you’ve paid off the entire balance owing. This is generally done by writing to your lender to request a settlement figure. The amount will include all remaining payments scheduled for the vehicle, as well as interest. If you’re unsure how much interest you owe, our guide on how to calculate finance charge on car loan can help crunch the numbers. You’ll also need to settle the final ‘balloon payment’ needed for transfer of ownership to take place.

Returning a financed car

Another alternative is returning your financed car, which can be a good option if you qualify. This is available as part of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 which includes a section on the right to return the car to the provider.

Generally, this option is only available if you’ve paid off at least 50% of the total cost of the contract. This amount includes all interest and fees owing, not simply the original amount borrowed. If you’ve paid off less than 50% of the total cost of the contract, you may need to top up your instalments to meet this minimum requirement.

Don’t forget, there may be additional fees involved and you may still have to cover the cost of interest, so be sure to read the fine print in your contract before making a decision.

Understanding ‘voluntary termination’

There’s a good chance your contract may include a clause known as ‘voluntary termination’. If you see this, it means you’re free to return the car to the lender without making any extra payments. As mentioned earlier, you’ll need to have paid off at least 50% of the total value of the loan to qualify for this option.

Voluntary termination doesn’t usually affect your credit score, making it a good option if you’re researching whether We Buy Any Car buy finance cars.

Upgrading your car on finance

If you’re looking to sell your existing car and upgrade to a newer model using finance, My Car Credit is on hand to help. We compare deals across our broad panel of lenders to find car finance that fits your requirements. If you’d like to find out more, simply email us on enquiries@mycarcredit.co.uk or simply apply online, with no obligation and no impact on your credit score.

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 10.9%

Evolution Funding Ltd T/A My Car Credit

My Credit Rating

Excellent

  • You are a home owner
  • You have been on the electoral role for a long period of time
  • You have current credit arrangements and mortgage with no defaults
  • You have no CCJs, credit arrears or missed payments
  • You rarely apply for credit
  • You are employed or self-employed

Good

  • You are on the electoral role
  • You are a home owner or long standing tenant
  • You have a stable employment history
  • You have current credit arrangements with occasional missed payments
  • You have no CCJs

Fair

  • You are or have recently been on the electoral role
  • You may have recently changed address
  • You may have occasional missed payments
  • You may have an old CCJ
  • You may have regularly applied for credit

Poor

  • You may have had frequent changes in address
  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • You may have exceeded credit card limits
  • You may have missed payments on current agreements
  • You may have had a CCJ in the past

Bad

  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • Your credit cards are over their limits
  • You have recent CCJs
  • You may have been refused credit elsewhere
  • You may be in a debt management plan
£

X monthly repayments of
£X

Typical rate

Loan amount

Total payable

X% APR*

£X

£X

*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 10.9%, annual interest rate (fixed) 10.87%, 47 monthly payments of £191.50 followed by 1 payment of £201.50 (incl. estimated £10 option to purchase fee), a deposit of £0.00, total cost of credit is £1,702, total amount payable £9,202.

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.

Require more help?

Got a question you can’t find the answer to, or need some advice and guidance around taking out car finance? Our Car Credit Specialists are friendly, experienced, and here to help so get in touch today!

Where Do ‘We Buy Any Car’ Sell Their Cars?

Man inspection a car at We Buy Any Car

With more than 400 branches across the UK, We Buy Any Car is one of the biggest and most recognised auto dealerships in the country. Headquartered in Surrey, the industry giant employees more than 700 people and prides itself on quick and easy service.

One of the main attractions of We Buy Any Car is its promise to buy any kind of car – including a car that’s accredited with a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN), a damaged car, an uninsured car or a salvaged car. That raises questions about the kind of cars they sell – and where they sell them.

In truth, We Buy Any Car sells a wide range of vehicles that reflect the variety on British roads – from vans and SUVs down to hatchbacks and convertibles. Whether you want to buy a car from We Buy Any Car or you’re just interested in where your last vehicle is headed, this article will explore where We Buy Any Car sell their cars.

 

We Buy Any Car: The Basics

With more than 500 branches across the UK, We Buy Any Car is one of the biggest and most recognised auto dealerships in the country. Headquartered in Surrey, the industry giant employs more than 700 people and prides itself on quick and easy service.

A We Buy Any Car buyer will inspect the interior and exterior of your car to check for any structural or cosmetic damage. They’ll also perform a short test drive and will check documents including the V5C logbook, as well as your photo ID and bank details, and proof of address.

The company’s promises are lofty, pledging to “sell your car in under an hour” and value your car in just 60 seconds. The service has been an undeniable hit with British motorists, who have left more than 100,000 reviews on Trustpilot and an overall rating of ‘excellent’. That said, the reviews aren’t all glowing – we’ll touch more on that later.

So, what does We Buy Any Car do with its influx of vehicles? We take you behind the scenes and reveal where We Buy Any Car sell their cars.

 

Selling Vehicles through Dealerships, Car Supermarkets and Auction Houses

Where do We Buy Any Car sell their cars? When you sell your vehicle to this company, it’s generally heading straight to a nearby dealership where it will be sold at a profit to another driver. Alternatively, it may be listed on an online ‘car supermarket’ where it will also be sold at a profit.

If the car isn’t in great condition, it may be relocated to one of the company’s regional centres where it’s offered to a different set of car dealerships and traders. If the car isn’t sold here, it will likely be sent to a car auction and ideally sold for a profit, though this is not guaranteed.

This is why We Buy Any Car covets vehicles that are in good or excellent condition, as the chances of turning a profit are much higher. The risk of having to send a car to auction and losing money is much higher for older and less desirable vehicles.

If you’re looking for your next nearly new or used car, there are options beyond We Buy Any Car. In fact, My Car Credit offers a one-stop shop for drivers looking to snap up both their next set of wheels and car finance in one go.

Used car finance is a great way of getting on the road without having to fork out as much as you would for a car that’s fresh off the showing room floor. You can also use our My Car Search tool to find the used car you’ve always wanted at an accessible price – just fill out your search criteria and we’ll let you know the best options for you. Plus, our car finance calculator can help you work out what you can expect to pay back via affordable monthly instalments.

 

The pros of We Buy Any Car

  • A tried and tested service that’s fast, easy and hassle-free.
  • 100,000 positive reviews on Trustpilot and an ‘excellent’ overall rating.
  • More than 500 branches across the UK, making the service easy to access from almost anywhere in the country.
  • Claims not to bombard you with ‘pushy sales tactics’ leaving you free to decide.
  • Will buy vehicles that don’t run or are damaged, as well as those that aren’t taxed or insured.
  • The company will buy cars with outstanding finance on them, and can sell these for you so long as you provide an in-date settlement letter.

 

The cons of We Buy Any Car

  • Sellers generally receive a lower-than-market value price, even for cars in good or excellent condition. You’ll typically make more money by selling your vehicle privately or on Autotrader.
  • Frequent reports of sellers receiving higher price quotes online, then being lowballed at the dealership. This is because the online quote is typically offered for vehicles in ‘showroom condition’, even if the vehicle receiving the quote is old or damaged. This can then result in a mismatch between the online quote and the price offered at their branches.
  • Has previously been in hot water with bodies like the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for misleading motorists. In 2011, the company was accused of a lack of transparency in dealing with consumers, particularly over their online vehicle valuation.
  • We Buy Any Car has an online car finance calculator, but it’s unclear how this is provided or regulated. My Car Credit is part of Evolution Funding, the UK’s largest motor finance and technology provider, offering market-leading technology and the largest selection of car finance companies out of any broker.

 

Buying from We Buy Any Car

Now you know more about where We Buy Any Car sell their cars, let’s cover how the service may affect you as a buyer.

Chances are, you’ll come across cars purchased and resold by We Buy Any Car when shopping for a used vehicle.

Be aware that you can’t buy a car directly from We Buy Any Car – as discussed above, the company sells your car onto a dealership, car supermarket or auction house. So, although you can sell directly to We Buy Any Car, you cannot purchase a used car from the company, as they sell vehicles that they purchase via other means.

If you’re shopping for a nearly new or used car via any of these three routes, you may benefit from some great deals. That said, you do need to be savvy when browsing the used car market. Always do your due diligence and check that the dealer, car supermarket or auction house where you’re buying the car is legitimate.

This is where My Car Credit comes in. We regularly vet all our preferred dealers for status with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The FCA screens financial institutions to ensure that they operate with transparency and integrity. Ensuring that consumers are treated fairly and are provided products and services that match their needs is a primary goal of the FCA. They exist to help you make more informed decisions without feeling deceived by misleading promises from financial businesses and institutions.

By making sure that our preferred dealers are FCA-checked, we ensure that you receive transparency and excellent customer service.

Use our My Car Search to find quality pre-approved nearly new and used cars from FCA-screened dealers. You’ll be securing both your used car and car finance in one go, benefitting from a streamlined and stress-free experience.

Coupled with award-winning and highly competitive rates and even poor credit car finance, My Car Credit is the best platform to use when shopping for a nearly new set of wheels and the finance agreement that funds its purchase.

 

Get Your Dream Car Financed With My Car Credit

You don’t have to settle for vehicles offloaded quickly through We Buy Any Car. At My Car Credit, we’ll help you get behind the wheel of a reliable nearly new or used car, no matter your credit profile.

From poor credit car finance to used car finance, we’ve got years of experience helping drivers across the UK find their dream car and finance it all in one go. Use our online application form to kickstart your used car finance journey today.

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 10.9%

Evolution Funding Ltd T/A My Car Credit

My Credit Rating

Excellent

  • You are a home owner
  • You have been on the electoral role for a long period of time
  • You have current credit arrangements and mortgage with no defaults
  • You have no CCJs, credit arrears or missed payments
  • You rarely apply for credit
  • You are employed or self-employed

Good

  • You are on the electoral role
  • You are a home owner or long standing tenant
  • You have a stable employment history
  • You have current credit arrangements with occasional missed payments
  • You have no CCJs

Fair

  • You are or have recently been on the electoral role
  • You may have recently changed address
  • You may have occasional missed payments
  • You may have an old CCJ
  • You may have regularly applied for credit

Poor

  • You may have had frequent changes in address
  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • You may have exceeded credit card limits
  • You may have missed payments on current agreements
  • You may have had a CCJ in the past

Bad

  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • Your credit cards are over their limits
  • You have recent CCJs
  • You may have been refused credit elsewhere
  • You may be in a debt management plan
£

X monthly repayments of
£X

Typical rate

Loan amount

Total payable

X% APR*

£X

£X

*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 10.9%, annual interest rate (fixed) 10.87%, 47 monthly payments of £191.50 followed by 1 payment of £201.50 (incl. estimated £10 option to purchase fee), a deposit of £0.00, total cost of credit is £1,702, total amount payable £9,202.

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.

Require more help?

Got a question you can’t find the answer to, or need some advice and guidance around taking out car finance? Our Car Credit Specialists are friendly, experienced, and here to help so get in touch today!