Selling your car to a dealer: from quote to payment
Published · Updated · 4 min read · PaperValue.sg
A dealer sale can save you the work of finding a private buyer. To judge the offer, compare the final amount after inspection and fees, together with the payment and handover terms.
There is no standard percentage of private-sale value that every dealer pays. Stock demand, condition and the buyer’s intended resale or export route affect the offer.
Step 1: Get your vehicle and loan figures
Check the car’s eligible rebates through OneMotoring and compare relevant listings. A PaperValue report can help organise the market range and comparables.
If you have a loan, obtain the lender’s settlement amount and validity date. Include early-settlement charges from that quotation rather than assuming a standard fee.
Step 2: Request comparable quotes
Ask several dealers or platforms to quote the same vehicle details and proposed handover date. Disclose known defects, mileage, accident history and modifications consistently.
Two published platform-fee examples checked on 13 September 2026:
| Service | Published fee | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Motorist dealer sale | $109 including GST on a successful sale; waived with less than eight months of COE left | Any other agreed charges and inspection conditions |
| Sgcarmart Quotz | $48 or $98, depending on inspection selected | Which service applies and the final payable total |
The $48/$98 figures previously attributed here to Carro are published by Quotz. For other services, request current fees directly. A dealer purchase, an auction service and consignment can have different charging structures.
Ask when the quote expires. Avoid comparing an old provisional offer with a current offer confirmed after inspection.
Step 3: Inspect before agreeing the final price
Prepare service records, keys and vehicle details. Ask the dealer to explain each deduction following inspection.
A lower offer may reflect an undisclosed defect, but you can compare the explanation with another buyer’s assessment. Get the revised total in writing.
A wash and tidy-up can help present the car accurately. Before paying for optional repairs, compare the cost with the expected improvement in the offer.
Step 4: Negotiate using actual alternatives
A useful response is:
“Another buyer has offered $56,000 after inspection, with $200 in fees. What is your final amount after all deductions for the same handover date?”
Use real quotes rather than an invented competing bid. If two net offers are close, payment certainty and a workable handover date may matter more than the small price difference.
For a showroom package, check whether a higher trade-in offer changes the replacement price or financing terms. See the overtrade guide.
Step 5: Agree the payment and transfer sequence
The written agreement should show:
- Final sale price, deposit and every deduction.
- Lender settlement amount and who pays it.
- When and how you receive the balance.
- Transfer and physical handover arrangements.
- Any remaining conditions or repairs.
For example, $66,500 sale price − $30,000 lender settlement − $200 agreed fee = $36,300 to you. These are assumed figures.
Verify the money through your bank and confirm loan discharge with the lender. A transfer screenshot or verbal assurance is not the same as confirmed funds.
LTA requires ownership transfer within seven days of physical possession. Check the completed status yourself and retain the confirmation. Dealers may use the authorised temporary-transfer scheme; ask which transaction they are arranging. LTA’s transfer rules.
Step 6: Finish the account changes
Notify the insurer after the agreed transfer and use arrangements are complete. Remove your payment card, belongings and personal data; update parking, charging and vehicle-app accounts.
Selling to a dealer does not itself mean deregistering. Road tax and rebate entitlements normally pass with the car. Check what to do after the sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the dealer reduce a provisional offer?
An inspection can change it. Ask for the reason, compare alternatives and agree the final figure before signing.
How long does a sale take?
It depends on inspection availability, lender settlement and the agreed payment process. Get dates in writing instead of relying on an advertised same-day outcome.
Does the highest offer always win?
Compare net proceeds and conditions. A higher price with larger fees or delayed payment may be less attractive.
Should I give a dealer my Singpass login?
No. Complete your own authentication and use the official access or authorisation process required for the transaction.