How car consignment works in Singapore (and when it's worth it)

Short answer: consignment means a dealer markets and sells your car on your behalf while it stays yours until a buyer is found. In exchange for a little patience, it usually gets you more than selling outright. It works best for cars that need the right buyer, such as luxury, performance and enthusiast cars. For everyday cars, selling outright is often simpler, and at Kaze Motors we do both.

Three ways to sell a car

Selling outright gives you certainty today. Consignment trades a little time for a better result. Selling privately can pay the most, but you handle every enquiry, viewing, test drive and negotiation yourself, which is exactly the work a good dealer takes off your hands.

How consignment works, step by step

1. Valuation. The dealer looks at the car and you agree an asking price based on what similar cars are selling for.
2. Agreement. You agree, in writing, how the dealer is paid, how long the arrangement runs, and what happens if it doesn't sell.
3. Listing. The dealer photographs and advertises the car and handles enquiries and viewings.
4. Sale. When a buyer is found, the sale is completed, any outstanding loan is settled, and ownership is transferred.
5. Payment. You receive the agreed amount.

How dealers are paid

Arrangements vary from dealer to dealer. Commonly the dealer either takes an agreed commission on the sale, or you agree a figure you will receive and the dealer keeps anything above it. Neither is better in principle; what matters is that you understand the number you will actually receive.

What to agree in writing before you sign

• How the dealer is paid, and what you will receive at the agreed asking price.
• How long the consignment runs, and whether either side can end it early.
• Where the car is kept, and who is responsible for it, including insurance, while it is on the dealer's premises.
• Who drives it, for test drives and how they are supervised.
• What happens to an outstanding loan on the car when it sells.
• When and how you are paid after the sale.
• Price changes: whether the dealer can lower the price, and only with your agreement.

A good dealer will put all of this in writing. We do.

When consignment is worth it

• Luxury, performance and enthusiast cars. The right buyer is out there but not on every street corner, and presentation, history and an informed seller make a real difference to the price.
• Well-kept cars with good records, where a buyer will pay for that care.
• You are not in a hurry.

Consign or sell outright? We do both

Selling outright is the better choice when:

• you need the money, or the space, quickly;
• the car is an everyday model with a clear market price;
• you would rather have a fixed price today than wait for a better one.

You can also trade your car in against a car we have for sale.

Selling your car with Kaze Motors

We take luxury, performance and enthusiast cars on consignment and put them in front of buyers who are looking for exactly that, and we buy cars outright too. Tell us about your car and we will give you a number, explain your options, and set our terms out in writing before you decide. See how consigning with us works, get an outright valuation, or WhatsApp us.