Sell Your Car or Van in Brighton

Brighton sits in a peculiar position when it comes to car ownership. It is one of the most densely populated cities on the south coast, hemmed in by the South Downs to the north and the English Channel to the south, and its streets were largely laid out long before the motor car existed. If you own a vehicle here and have been thinking about selling it, you are far from alone — and the reasons people in Brighton decide to part with their cars and vans are often quite specific to this city.

Why Brighton Residents Sell Their Vehicles

Anyone who has circled the blocks around The Lanes or North Laine looking for a parking space on a Saturday afternoon understands the fundamental tension between Brighton and car ownership. The city has over twenty public car parks, and yet finding a space in any of them during peak hours remains a genuine challenge. Residential permit zones cover much of Kemptown, Hanover, the Seven Dials area, and large parts of Hove, and the annual cost of a permit has climbed steadily. For many households, particularly those with two vehicles, the arithmetic simply stops making sense.

Brighton’s strong cycling culture and improving bus network have made car-free living a realistic option for a growing number of residents. The city has invested in cycle lanes along the seafront and through the city centre, and for people who work locally — particularly in Brighton’s large creative and freelance economy — a bicycle and an occasional car hire can replace full-time vehicle ownership at a fraction of the cost.

Then there is the student population. The University of Sussex, up on the Falmer campus, and the University of Brighton, spread across several city sites, bring tens of thousands of students into the area each autumn. A good number arrive with cars, particularly those in private rentals further from campus. Come the end of the academic year, or upon graduating, many need to sell quickly — sometimes vehicles that have sat largely unused and may have lapsed MOTs or minor issues from months of infrequent use.

Seafront Living and Vehicle Condition

There is a practical reality to owning a car in a coastal city that people further inland do not have to think about. Salt air accelerates corrosion, and vehicles parked regularly near the seafront — from the Marina through to Hove Lagoon and beyond into Portslade — tend to show rust and undercarriage deterioration earlier than you might expect. The A259 coast road, which carries traffic right along the front, is also treated with road salt during winter, compounding the problem.

This means that many Brighton vehicles, even relatively modern ones, can develop cosmetic or structural rust that makes them difficult to sell privately. Buyers on the usual classified sites will haggle hard over visible corrosion, and the cost of professional rust treatment often exceeds what it adds to the sale price. We buy vehicles in any condition, including those with corrosion, bodywork damage, or mechanical issues, so the condition of your car or van does not need to be a barrier. You can get a quote regardless of the state your vehicle is in.

The Shift Toward Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

Brighton has one of the highest rates of electric vehicle adoption outside London, which is entirely consistent with the city’s broader environmental consciousness. The council has been expanding its public charging network, and many residents in terraced housing — where off-street parking and home charging are not options — have made the switch using the growing number of on-street charge points.

This transition means a steady flow of petrol and diesel vehicles being replaced. If you are upgrading to an EV or plug-in hybrid, you may be looking to sell a conventional vehicle that still runs perfectly well but no longer fits your plans. Equally, some early EV adopters are now selling first-generation electric cars where the battery range has degraded below what is practical for daily use. We handle both situations — if you are selling an electric car with reduced battery capacity, or a diesel you are replacing, the process is the same.

How Selling to Us Works in Brighton

We collect vehicles from anywhere across Brighton, Hove, and the surrounding areas including Rottingdean, Saltdean, Peacehaven, and Lewes. Collection is free and we pay by same-day bank transfer — there is no waiting for cheques to clear or holding out for a buyer who may not turn up.

The process is straightforward. You provide details about your vehicle through our online quote form, we make you an offer based on what you have told us, and if you accept, we arrange collection at a time that suits you. The whole thing can typically be completed within a day or two. You can read the full step-by-step breakdown on our how it works page.

We buy cars and vans of all types: runners and non-runners, vehicles with mechanical faults, those with expired MOTs, cars with outstanding finance (which we can settle directly), accident-damaged vehicles, and high-mileage commercial vans. If you have a vehicle you want to sell, it is worth getting a quote regardless of its history or condition.

Brighton’s Commuter Vehicles

Brighton station provides a fast rail link to London — the express service takes under an hour to Victoria — and a significant proportion of residents commute by train. For these households, a car is often kept primarily for weekends, school runs, or occasional trips that the train does not serve well. Over time, many commuters realise they are paying insurance, road tax, parking permits, and maintenance for a vehicle that spends most of its life stationary. Selling makes financial sense, especially with car clubs and short-term hire now readily available in the city.

If your vehicle has been sitting on a residential street or in a car park for weeks at a time, it may have developed flat spots on the tyres, a drained battery, or other issues from lack of use. None of that matters to us. We collect non-runners and vehicles that will not start, and our quoted price accounts for the condition you have described.

Serving All of Brighton and the Surrounding Area

Whether you are in central Brighton, along the Hove seafront, up in Patcham or Hollingbury, or in the neighbouring towns of Rottingdean, Saltdean, Peacehaven, or Lewes, we cover the entire area. Our Sussex-wide service means you do not need to transport your vehicle anywhere — we come to you, collect the car or van, and transfer your payment the same day.

If you have a vehicle to sell in Brighton, request your free quote and see what we can offer. There is no obligation, and the price we quote is the price we pay.