Exchange My Car Vs WeBuyAnyCar: Sell My Car in the UK

In this guide

Car Adviser Rating of Exchange My Car: 4.8 stars out of 5

Car Adviser Rating of WeBuyAnyCar: 4.5 stars out of 5

The UK’s online automotive industry is to grow at a compound annual rate of 2.9% to £3.4 billion over the five years through 2023-24. Car-selling platforms are set to play a crucial role in this.

WeBuyAnyCar and Exchange My Car are two leading UK car-buying platforms. While the former has a long-established reputation, the latter is a rising star with much to offer. 

Let’s delve into what these platforms offer to help you decide where to sell your car online in the UK.

So, without any further ado, let’s get started!

sell my car in the UK

Key Takeaways from the Review

  • Exchange My Car is an entirely free service for sellers, whereas WeBuyAnyCar charges fees up to £99.99 depending on the value of your vehicle.
  • Exchange My Car offers a free-of-charge same-day payment whereas with WeBuyAnyCar you have to pay a fee of £29.75 to receive instant payments.
  • WeBuyAnyCar has a longer track record and stronger brand recognition, but Exchange My Car is catching up in reputation.
  • Exchange My Car offers free collection nationwide, whereas WeBuyAnyCar has 500+ drop-off points throughout the UK.

Car Adviser Review Criteria

Car Adviser takes a unique approach when analysing different online car-buying platforms. Our experts have divided 9 different parameters across 3 main domains where a company should excel to provide a seamless car-selling experience. Here they are:

  • Valuation and Payments
    • Offer Accuracy
    • Service Charges
    • Ease of Payment Transfer
  • Business Model
    • Market Standing and Reputation
  • User Experience
    • Ease of Selling
    • Quality of Offers
    • Selling Time Frame
    • Vehicle Handover and Inspection Process
    • Customer Support

What is Exchange My Car? How Does it Work?

Exchange My Car is an online comparison platform in the UK that matches car sellers with prospective buyers. From valuation to payment, Exchange My Car makes car selling a hassle-free, no-charge service for the seller. 

Once you log into their platform, their powerful algorithm matches your car with the best offers from their network of car-buying partners within 30 seconds. 

To proceed, you can accept one of the offers, and the buyers will contact you to book a free collection and instant payment appointment.

What is WeBuyAnyCar? How Does it Work?

WeBuyAnyCar is a major car-buying service in the UK owned by British Car Auctions (BCA). It allows customers to sell their vehicles online. Initially, sellers can use the company’s online valuation tool to get an estimate of their car’s worth. 

Once the seller gets an estimate, they can proceed to book an inspection appointment at one of WeBuyAnyCar’s 500 branches. 

Here, your car will be inspected and a final offer will be made. Upon successful price settlement, you leave your car at their branch and receive payment within 4 working days. This complete service comes with a fee of up to £99.99.

Exchange My Car Vs. WeBuyAnyCar; A Detailed Side-by-Side Review

Let’s evaluate the quality of service provided by both car-selling platforms in this side-by-side comparison. Our experts have scored both platforms in each category to help you choose.

1. Offer Accuracy

Winner: Exchange My Car

Reason: Exchange My Car presents you with multiple offers from specialised buyers based on assumptions. If your vehicle isn’t in top condition, they will provide you with an adjusted, final offer before your appointment. This prevents last-minute offer changes.

Exchange My Car: Exchange My Car’s network includes highly specialised auto-buying experts that make you a firm offer remotely. As a result,  it’s easier to get an upfront accurate offer from Exchange My Car. 

Sub-category score: 4.6/5

WeBuyAnyCar: WeBuyAnyCar provides an online valuation tool to estimate the value of your car. However, this valuation is not an offer to purchase your vehicle. To proceed and find out what offer they will make you, you need to schedule an in-person inspection at one of their drop-off points.

Sub-category score: 4.4/5

2. Service Charges

Winner: Exchange My Car

Reason: While Exchange My Car is a free service, WeBuyAnyCar charges a fee from sellers.

Exchange My Car: Nearly two years ago, Exchange My Car charged a small facilitation fee, but with the new model, it has now become a no-charge car-selling service.

Sub-category score: 5/5

WeBuyAnyCar: WeBuyAnyCar has an elaborate service charges plan. You can expect to pay up to £99.99 when selling a car through their platform. Here’s a summary of service charges based on your vehicle’s value:

  • Under £99.99 (minimum £50): £0
  • £100 to £3,999.99: £49.99
  • £4,000 to £6,999.99: £74.99
  • £7,000 to £9,999.99: £84.99
  • £10,000 or more: £99.99

Sub-category score: 4/5

3. Ease of Payment Transfer

Winner: Exchange My Car

Reason: Where WeBuyAnyCar charges a fee for instant payments, Exchange My Car’s buyers do it as default without any extra costs for the seller.

Exchange My Car: Exchange My Car offers instant payments to car sellers, ensuring quick and secure fund transfers. Sellers receive their payment immediately after the inspection.

Sub-category score: 5/5

WeBuyAnyCar: It may take 4 working days to get your payment from WeBuyAnyCar to your bank account. However, for instant payments, customers have to pay a fee of £29.75

Sub-category score: 4/5

4. Market Standing and Reputation

Winner: WeBuyAnyCar

Reason: WeBuyAnyCar has operated for nearly 13 years longer than Exchange My Car and has built a well-established and recognisable brand.

Exchange My Car: Exchange My Car, established in late 2019, has seen its reputation steadily grow. Since its inception, the company has undergone several major revamps. Generally, people consider it a reliable car-selling platform.

Sub-category score: 4.4/5

WeBuyAnyCar: WeBuyAnyCar is a reputable and well-established platform. Founded in 2006, the company has been in business for 18 years. They buy thousands of cars and vans weekly and hold accreditation from the Better Business Bureau.

Sub-category score: 5/5

5. Ease of Selling

Winner: Tie

Reason: Apart from the fact that you must visit a branch when selling to WeBuyAnyCar, the remaining process is somewhat similar to Exchange My Car.

Exchange My Car: The selling process with Exchange My Car is straightforward. Simply register your vehicle, enter a few details, and you’ll find the highest offers available for your car. Choose the offer you like, accept it, and the buyer will contact you for collection and payment.

Sub-category score: 4.9/5

WeBuyAnyCar: Similarly, the process at WeBuyAnyCar is easy and quick. After the initial valuation, you can visit your nearest branch for inspection and re-evaluation, then proceed with the sale if you are happy with your offer. 

Sub-category score: 4.8/5

6. Quality of Offers

Winner: Exchange My Car

Reason: Exchange My Car matches sellers with buyers who specialise in their specific type of vehicle, ensuring high-quality offers.

Exchange My Car: Exchange My Car’s buyer pool comprises highly vetted, specialised buyers categorised by their specific vehicle interests. For instance, if you want to sell a non-runner car, Exchange My Car will connect you with buyers who are specifically interested in non-runners.

Sub-category score: 4.9/5

WeBuyAnyCar: WeBuyAnyCar has a high accuracy rate for undamaged vehicles with a full-service history. Still, you can expect some discrepancies between the online valuation and the final offer made after the in-person inspection at their branch, according to customer reviews.

Sub-category score: 4.6/5

7. Selling Time Frame

Winner: Tie

Reason: Both platforms can purchase your car very quickly, making it difficult to determine a clear winner in this category. 

Exchange My Car may be more convenient as you can get a final offer remotely, whereas WeBuyAnyCar requires you to drive to the nearest branch.

Exchange My Car: The entire selling process with Exchange My Car, from online offer to inspection and final payment, can take as little as 24 hours with some buyers.

Sub-category score: 4.8/5

WeBuyAnyCar: With WeBuyAnyCar the whole process, from scheduling an appointment to inspection, can be almost instant provided that the branch has availability. However, with standard payments taking  4 working days to complete, it elongates the overall selling process

Sub-category score: 4.8/5

8. Vehicle Handover and Inspection Process

Winner: Exchange My Car

Reason: With WeBuyAnyCar, you have to visit their branch, but with Exchange My Car, buyers come to you instead.

Exchange My Car: Exchange My Car has an easy inspection process. They offer a convenient service where buyers come to you to inspect and collect the car.

Sub-category score: 4.8/5

WeBuyAnyCar: Sellers have to schedule an appointment at one of WeBuyAnyCar’s 500+ branches nationwide to inspect and deliver their cars.

Sub-category score: 4.2/5

9. Customer Support

Winner: Exchange My Car

Reason: Exchange My Car has a slight edge in the customer support category due to its extended customer support hours and sincere efforts to assist sellers.

Exchange My Car: Customers are impressed by the supportive nature of Exchange My Car’s support staff. They consistently go the extra mile to assist customers in selling their cars for the highest price.

Sub-category score: 4.8/5

WeBuyAnyCar: WeBuyAnyCar also has very cooperative support staff. On Trustpilot, it has an Excellent rating, indicating a high level of customer satisfaction.

Sub-category score: 4.7/5

Other Independent Reviews and Ratings of Exchange My Car

Other Independent Reviews and Ratings of WeBuyAnyCar 

The Overall Winner: Exchange My Car Vs. WeBuyAnyCar

WhileWeBuyAnyCar is a well-recognised brand with a vast network of branches, Exchange My Car is a no-charge, innovative service. But it’s better to weigh your options before making a final decision. 

So, we recommend getting offers from both platforms and comparing them. See who is offering a better valuation. But do keep the other differences in your mind!

If you’re looking for advice on breakdown cover, car warranty, GAP insurance, car buying and car maintenance, ULEZ, and MOT, please visit our blog and check out our tools.

Zakki Sohail
Zakki Sohail
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