Cars

Tips for buying a car on Gumtree

• Do your research: Use our Car valuation tool as a guide on a car’s value by entering the details of the car here. Any variations may affect a car's value, so you should take the condition of the car into account when applying the price guide. For more information on our Car Valuation tool please visit our help page.
• Ask questions: When first contacting the seller, don't be afraid to ask lots of questions about the condition of the car, how long they've had it, service history and why they're selling it. It's easy to contact a seller via the Gumtree My Messages feature. 
• Negotiate: Don't be afraid to negotiate a price you think is fair but don't offer an unrealistic amount
• Meet in person: A transaction should always be made face-to-face, with an in-person payment made once you've seen the car and made the necessary checks. It can pay to meet the seller at a mechanics, so they can check over the vehicle. Never send or wire money to somebody you don't know and do not provide identity documents online. For personal ease and safety, arrange to meet in a public place and take a friend or family member with you.
• Common sense: Use common sense when buying online. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is!

• Do your research: Use our Car valuation tool as a guide on your car’s value by entering the details of the car here. Any variations may affect a car's value, so you should take the condition of your car into account when applying the price guide. For more information on our Car Valuation tool please visit our help page.
• Be descriptive: Describe the car you're selling, including its features (parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity etc), a brief history and reasons for selling. The more information you provide, the more likely you are to make a sale at the price you're looking for. You can be as creative as you like!
• Upload high quality photos: Upload high quality images to make sure your listing stands out from the rest. You can add up to 10 images for free. You can also pay to upgrade your ad to ensure a number of different ad types, each designed to make your ad work better; get more views, more replies and be more successful!
• Manage your listing: Ensure you keep on top of messages from potential buyers. Communicate quickly and directly through My Messages and download the Gumtree app on your phone so you can manage your ad on the go
• Always meet face to face and test drive: When selling, it's important for the buyer to see the car in person and to exchange money. You can also exchange money through PayPal up to the value of $10,000. Have the necessary documents ready and for personal safety, have a friend or family member accompany you and the buyer on a test drive

Gumtree is a local classifieds website and ads aren’t reviewed before they go live on the site. Gumtree doesn't offer any sort of buyer protection / payment programs. Any emails you receive that talk about such systems are scams, even if they may have the Gumtree logo. If you receive any emails promoting these services, please report it to us. If ever in doubt simply contact us and we'll be happy to help.