Browse any used car site and you'll find hundreds of listings that say almost nothing useful. "Great car, no issues, reason for selling: upgrading." That tells a buyer absolutely nothing — and serious buyers scroll straight past it.
A well-written listing does two things: it filters out timewasters and it gives genuine buyers enough confidence to pick up the phone. Here's how to write one.
The Title
Your title should include: year, make, model, variant, key specs, and one selling point.
Bad: "Ford Focus for sale"
Good: "2017 Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost ST-Line — Full Service History, 1 Owner, 42k Miles"
Put the most useful information first. Buyers scan titles quickly.
Photos — The Most Important Part
Listings with 12+ photos get significantly more enquiries than those with 3–4. Think of photos as your sales pitch before anyone reads a word.
Shot list:
- Front three-quarter (your hero shot — make this count)
- Rear three-quarter
- Driver's side full length
- Passenger side full length
- Front straight on
- Rear straight on
- Dashboard (engine running, no warning lights)
- Driver's seat
- Rear seats
- Boot open
- Engine bay
- Any damage or wear (honest photos build trust)
- Service book and V5C (blurred out personal details)
The Description
Write it the way you'd explain the car to a friend — clearly, honestly, without jargon. Cover:
- The basics: Year, mileage, engine, transmission, colour, doors
- History: How many owners, is service history full or partial, when is the MOT due
- Features: Anything worth noting — sat nav, parking sensors, leather seats, heated seats, Bluetooth
- Condition: Be specific. "Excellent condition" means nothing. "Clean inside and out, small scuff on rear bumper (shown in photos), no mechanical issues" means something.
- Why you're selling: Buyers always wonder. "Upgrading to electric" or "second car we no longer need" are both completely normal and reassuring.
- Viewing: Where, when, how to contact you
What Not to Write
- "No offers" — immediately puts buyers off. Everything is negotiable.
- "No timewasters" — attracts timewasters and puts off genuine buyers
- "Open to swaps" — unless you genuinely are, this muddies the listing
- Vague phrases like "runs well," "good condition," "one careful owner" without any supporting detail
Pricing
Research comparable listings and price realistically. A car priced £500 below similar listings sells in days. A car priced £500 above sits for weeks. The maths usually works in favour of sensible pricing.
List your car today — create a free listing on AllCarsUK and reach thousands of buyers across the UK.