‘We buy any car’ fees explained — and how to avoid them

Most ‘we buy any car’ services in the UK quote a price that's not actually what hits your bank account. The number you see on the website is the gross. The number you walk away with is the net. The difference is fees — sometimes a lot of fees. Here's a breakdown of what they typically charge, why, and how to avoid them.

The fees you'll see at most online buyers

Admin / processing fee

The classic one. Usually £50–£75. Officially for ‘paperwork’; in practice for nothing in particular. Some buyers waive it on more expensive cars; most charge it regardless.

Transfer / V5 fee

Charged for transferring the V5C registration. Often £25–£50. The actual DVLA cost is zero (transfer is free) so this is pure margin.

‘Same day payment’ fee

This one we hate. Some buyers offer same-day BACS — but charge you £30–£50 for the privilege. If you don't want to pay it, you wait 3–5 working days for the money.

Collection fee

If the car can't be driven, or you can't get to a buyer's depot, some services charge £30–£100 to collect from your address. The further from a major city you are, the more it costs.

Low-value handling fee

If your car's worth less than ~£2,000, some buyers add an extra fee on the basis that it's not worth their time otherwise. Often £50–£100.

Total impact

Add it all up and a typical car sale at one of the algorithmic services can lose £150–£300 in fees on top of an already-deflated quote. That's why a £7,500 quoted price often becomes a £7,100 BACS landing in your account.

Are these fees legal?

Yes — provided they're disclosed clearly before you commit. The UK's Consumer Rights Act requires upfront disclosure of charges. The problem is buyers comply with the letter (the fees are in their terms and conditions somewhere) without complying with the spirit (you have to read the fine print to find them).

The Advertising Standards Authority has historically pulled up car buying services for misleading ‘zero fees’ claims, but enforcement is patchy.

How Carmora is different

We charge nothing. No admin fee. No transfer fee. No same-day payment fee. No collection fee. No low-value handling fee. The price we quote is the price you receive. Same day BACS is included as standard.

It's not a marketing tagline — it's how the company is set up. Our margin comes from buying the car at a fair (not low) price and selling it on through our trade network for a small markup. We don't need to add invisible costs on top.

How to protect yourself

Whoever you sell to:

1. Always read the terms and conditions, specifically the section on fees and deductions.
2. Ask the question directly: ‘What fees will be deducted from the quoted price?’ Get the answer in writing (email is fine).
3. Compare the net amount, not the headline quote. A buyer quoting £100 less but with no fees is the better deal.
4. Walk away if anything appears on the day that wasn't quoted upfront. You're allowed to.

Or just use us. Get your free Carmora valuation here — the quote is the price.