Last updated: October 2026
It depends almost entirely on how you sell. A private sale in Melbourne often takes two to six weeks and sometimes longer. A dealer trade in happens on the day you buy your next car. Selling to a car buyer like us is usually done the same day, with nine out of ten of our sales finished within hours of the first call.
Private Sale: Usually Weeks
A private sale has several stages, and each one adds time:
- Getting a roadworthy certificate and any repairs it needs: a few days to a couple of weeks.
- Photos, writing the advert and listing it: a day or two.
- Enquiries, inspections, test drives and no shows: one week to several months.
- Negotiating, payment clearing and paperwork: a day or two.
Popular, well priced cars in good condition sell fastest. Older cars, unusual models and anything with faults can sit for months. Listing fees also grow the longer a car sits, as we explain in the cost of advertising a car.
Online Instant Offers: Days
Car buying websites can give you an indicative price within minutes, but the final figure is usually set at an inspection, and pickup or payment can take a few more days. Our review of carsales Instant Offer covers how that works.
Dealer Trade In: Same Day, With a Catch
Trading in is quick because it happens when you collect your new car, but the trade in figure is usually below market, and the timing is tied to the dealer’s delivery date.
Selling to Victorian Car Buyers: Usually the Same Day
- Send photos and details. We give you a price straight away.
- Book a time. We come to you, often the same day, with no pickup fee.
- Quick inspection. The price holds unless a major fault was not mentioned.
- Paid on the spot. Cash, bank transfer or cheque, with the paperwork done there and then.
No roadworthy, no advertising and no strangers coming to test drive your car. We buy any make, any age and any kilometres, running or not.
How to Speed Up Any Sale
- Have the registration papers, service history and all keys ready.
- Price the car realistically from day one.
- Pay out or plan for any finance before you start. See selling a car with finance owing.
- Be honest about faults so the price does not fall apart at the last step.
If time matters, for example a new car arriving or a move interstate, compare the private route with a same day sale. Our guide to the easiest way to sell a car in Melbourne sets the options side by side, or get a free price now on our sell my car page.
To see how a same day sale works from start to finish, visit our cash for cars in Melbourne page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to sell a car privately in Melbourne?
Often two to six weeks, and longer for older cars or cars with faults. Getting a roadworthy, advertising and arranging inspections all add time.
What is the fastest way to sell a car in Melbourne?
Selling to a licensed car buyer. With Victorian Car Buyers, nine out of ten sales are finished the same day, with payment on the spot.
Does selling quickly mean getting a lower price?
Not always. Once you count roadworthy repairs, advertising and weeks of running costs, a quick sale is often close to or better than a private sale for older cars.
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About the author: Written by Steve, owner of Victorian Car Buyers, a licensed motor car trader (LMCT 12395) based in Delahey, Melbourne.