Sell Your Car in Ipswich | Simon Shield Cars
Thinking of Selling Your Car? Here’s What the Big Companies Don’t Tell You
If you’ve been thinking about selling your car, you’ve probably seen adverts from companies like Motorway, Carwow and others promising quick sales and “the best price.” But how do these services actually work? And more importantly, are you really getting the deal you expect?
At Simon Shield Cars in Ipswich, we’ve been helping people buy and sell cars since 1996, and we think it’s time to lift the bonnet on how the big platforms operate – and why selling to a local, family-run dealer could be a better choice for you.
How Motorway and Similar Companies Work
Companies like Motorway don’t usually buy your car themselves. Instead, they act as a middleman, putting your used car into an online auction where dealers bid against each other.
It sounds simple, but there are a few things you might not realise:
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The headline price you see online is often just an estimate.
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Once your car is inspected, the offer can change – sometimes quite a lot.
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You don’t have a say in who actually buys your car, and it can feel impersonal.
The Hidden Costs Dealers Have to Consider
When a dealer buys a car through one of these platforms, they know they’ll need to prepare it for resale. That means factoring in costs like:
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🔑 Spare key – often £200–£300 if missing
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🚙 Dents & scratches – £100–£500 depending on size and location
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Kerbed alloy wheels – £50–£100 each to refurbish
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🧴 Professional valeting – £80–£150 for a deep clean
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🔧 MOT or servicing – £150+ if due
All of these costs come straight off the price offered to you. That’s why the “too good to be true” valuations online don’t always stick once someone sees your car in person.
Why Sell Direct to Simon Shield Cars?
Here’s the difference when you sell your car directly to us:
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✅ Honest valuations upfront – we look at your car properly and explain how we’ve arrived at the price.
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✅ No middlemen – you deal directly with Simon and Caroline.
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✅ Personal service – we take the time to make the process easy and stress-free.
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✅ Trusted locally since 1996 – we’ve built our reputation on fairness and integrity.
Instead of a faceless auction process, you get a fair price, a friendly experience, and the reassurance of selling to a long-standing independent dealership.
Ready to Sell?
If you’re based in Ipswich, Stowmarket, Needham Market, Hadleigh, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk and beyond and are thinking about selling your car, why not get in touch with us today?
📞 Call Simon on 07702 410254
💻 Visit us at http://www.simonshieldcars.co.uk/contact
At Simon Shield Cars, selling your car is simple, transparent, and personal – just the way it should be.
Do Simon Shield Cars buy cars in Suffolk?
Yes – we’re based in Ipswich and buy cars from across Suffolk, including Stowmarket, Bury St Edmunds, Felixstowe, Woodbridge, and the wider East Anglia area.
How do I get a valuation for my car?
It’s simple – just give Simon a call on [phone number] or fill in the contact form on our website. We’ll ask for a few details about your car and give you a fair, honest valuation upfront.
Will the price change after inspection?
No. Unlike some big companies, we give you a realistic offer from the start. We’ve been in the trade since 1996 and know how to value cars fairly without hidden deductions later.
Do you buy all types of cars?
We’re mainly interested in well-looked-after cars with good history, but it’s always worth getting in touch – we’ll be honest if your car isn’t the right fit for us.
Can I part exchange my car instead of just selling it?
Yes! If you’d like to upgrade to another car we have in stock, we’re happy to discuss part exchange options.
Why should I sell to Simon Shield Cars instead of Motorway or We Buy Any Car?
Because you deal directly with us – no auctions, no middlemen. You’ll get a straightforward process, a fair price, and the reassurance of selling to a trusted, family-run dealership with nearly 30 years of experience.