Sponsored Ads
Selling a car - your questions answered
How to use s1cars (for free!) plus some general do's and don'ts
So it's free to sell your car on s1cars? What's the catch?
Honestly there's no catch. All private sales ads are posted on s1cars for 2 weeks absolutely free. We won't spam you or give your details to anyone. We just want you to have the best possible experience so you'll spread the word about s1cars.
Okay, but how many people will actually see my ad?
That obviously depends on how many people are looking for a car like yours, but with around 2,000 people in Scotland visiting the site every day you can be reasonably sure that you'll get some healthy interest.
How does it all work then?
Simplicity itself. Just set up an account (we just need your name, email address and a password) and then complete the form with all the car details. You can post up to 8 photos and even a video! Submit the details, check the ad looks just the way you want it and then confirm. We'll make your ad live as soon as we've had a chance to check it (usually within a couple of hours during office hours, or if you post your ad in the evening or at weekends then it'll be the next working day). And please note you won't be able to change any details on your ad until it's gone live.
How do I find out what my car is worth?
How much your car is worth depends on the market and what a buyer is prepared to pay. Demand for certain models can change during the year. To get a rough idea of what your car is worth buy a price guide and be realistic. Check the local papers and www.s1cars.com to see what similar vehicles are selling for. There's no point paying for an ad which puts people off before they have even seen the car.
For a realistic valuation use our quick and easy text service to find out the value of your car. Text VALUE S1 along with the vehicle registration and mileage to: 80360. Example: VALUE S1 AB12CDE 25000. We'll send you a text with valuations for your car. Texts cost £1.50 plus your standard network charge. Terms and conditions are available here.
Can I change my ad after it goes live?
Of course. The only thing that has to stay the same is the make and model. Sign in to your account and you can change all other details or add photos. One thing though: your ad won't appear in your account until we've OK'd it, which will be within a couple of hours during office hours and the next working day if you post it in the evening or at the weekend.
What if I haven't sold my car at the end of the 2 weeks?
We'll email you to remind you your ad is still live and if you want to keep it live you just click a link and it'll be posted for another 2 weeks and so on...
What about security? I'm not comfortable making my phone number and email address public.
We actually advise people not to use email as a contact point (it tends to attract fraudsters) but if it's more convenient then your email address won't be shown; potential buyers will just fill in a form and hit submit.
I've never really done this before. How do I avoid getting ripped off?
It's true that thieves and fraudsters can pose as potential buyers, but there are some telltale signs. Be very suspicious if:
- Someone wants to buy your car without seeing it
- The buyer is from overseas and says he wants to send you additional payment for shipping. This is the first stage of a very common scam
- You are being pressurised to hand over your car before your bank has cleared their cheque or bankers draft
- The buyer doesn't provide you with a phone number or their phone isn't working etc.
And NEVER:
- Let the buyer copy or take photos of the car documentation
- Let the buyer take the car for a test drive on their own or leave the buyer alone with your keys, and never get out of the vehicle to allow a test drive leaving the keys in the ignition
- Pay using a money transfer company such as Western Union or Moneygram - these exist for transferring money between people who know each other.
Always keep all emails, correspondence, and records until you are satisfied that the deal has been completed successfully. If you are ever in doubt please feel free to contact us and we'll do our best to help you. If you have been the victim of fraud please contact the police and report the problem directly to them.
What's the best way to receive payment?
There are several ways. Choose the method that works for you but be aware of the potential issues:
- CHAPS - An immediate bank transfer can be made using the CHAPS system for a nominal fee, (£20-£30). Consider meeting the buyer at your bank and completing the transaction there. CHAPS payments are irrevocable.
- Cash - Be wary of fraudulent bank notes. If you are unsure about accepting cash why not arrange to meet the buyer at your bank and completing the transaction there.
- Cheques / Bankers Drafts - Cheques and banker's drafts can be fraudulent or counterfeit so always be wary when accepting these as a form of payment. NEVER pay using a money transfer company such as Western Union or Moneygram - these exist for transferring money between people who know each other.
- ESCROW / Shipping Companies - Be careful when using ESCROW or Shipping companies as many are bogus and set up by fraudsters. If you do have to use ESCROW, make sure it's verified by the FSA and is based in the UK. See the Metropolitan Police Fraud Alert web pages about money transfer, criminal cashback fraud and bogus ESCROW sites.
I'm a car dealer, can I use this service and post my cars for free?
I'm afraid not, it's just for private individuals. We do offer dealers though our unique 'cashback' account which means you only pay us if you actually sell a car. The dealers section has more info and contact details.
I've never heard of s1, what is it?
We modestly refer to ourselves as 'Scotland's internet success story'. We started in 2001 with s1jobs and s1homes and we now operate a range of s1 sites, serving around a million users a month from all parts of Scotland from our offices in Glasgow and Aberdeen. You can find out more about us at s1thecompany.com
I've got more questions how do I get answers?
Drop us an email at servicedesk@s1cars.com. I'm afraid we're not able to offer advice on car selling or buying; you can find links to other relevant sites here.