Can I get cash for my trade-in?

Normally, selling a used car to a dealer is not the best way to raise cash. A private sale is almost always the better way to sell; the motor dealer will either say no or beat you down to a bare-bones price to allow for the cost of a roadworthy certificate and detailing to sell the car off the lot for a profitable sum.

But sometimes a dealer might be willing to buy a used car that can be quickly resold at a profit or at least be placed with a wholesaler for more money than they have outlaid.

Desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures and if your car just isn't selling – it's sitting unsold in your driveway a few days before that flight to Europe departs – then you have a problem that needs instant action.

Grabbing the phone and a list of dealer contact numbers is a good start. If your car is a recent model, in good condition and with some manufacturer's warranty still to run you stand a good chance of being able to sell it to a dealer which specialises in your brand.

Walking into the dealership and expecting to sell your car outright for what it might be worth as a trade-in isn't going to happen. You are at the mercy of the dealer and could be offered anything from your cab-fare home from the dealership to around 40 per cent of your vehicle's potential retail price.

If your car is older but in the kind of condition that suits a dealership specialising in low-cost used models to retail it immediately you might walk away with a decent wad of cash. Most though will have no direct interest in the vehicle and all you will get is a shake of the head. Some will look at what notes and coins are in the petty cash box and offer you that.

Unresolved finance issues can present a big problem when selling a vehicle outright. Not only will you be unlikely to walk away with much in the way of cash, your own pocket could end up a bit lighter again, once existing finance is cleared and all the potential fees settled.

If your vehicle is 'unencumbered' and you can meet the conditions of Carsales' 'Instant Offer' selling tool then there is a fast and easy means to sell a vehicle that is less than 10 years old and has travelled fewer than 15,000 kilometres a year. Take a few minutes to check the Ts & Cs at www.carsales.com.au/instant-offer/ to confirm your car qualifies.

A car that is old, encumbered, untidy or just odd will probably do best if driven into one of the big sheds with 'Auction Today' emblazoned along the side. Here people do literally drive cars in off the street to sell and, if things work in their favour, walk out with cash. It can be a hassle-free process, and there's none of the humiliation that goes with being rejected by a car dealer.

If you are going to be an absentee vendor you will need to let the auction house set an achievable reserve price and sell the car as soon as bidding hits that number. They will also charge a listing fee up-front and take a commission on the selling price.

Buyers, unless they have an account with the auction house, normally get two business days to complete the transaction. They are required to leave a deposit on the day but if your vehicle doesn't bring much money you can count on none of that after the auction costs are deducted. Once the buyer pays the balance owing, the transfer of the net payment to your account is normally rapid.