On a normal collection day, our driver arrives at the agreed time, has a quick look over the car to confirm it matches what was described, then either drives it away or winches it onto the truck if it’s a non-runner. You sign a short handover form, we transfer payment before the vehicle leaves your property, and the whole thing is usually done inside twenty to thirty minutes. No towing charge, no waiting around for a cheque to clear.
What actually happens when the driver turns up
People imagine collection day is more complicated than it is. It isn’t. Our driver will ring or text ahead, same as any tradesman would, so you’re not standing at the window for an hour. Once they arrive, they check the car against the details you gave us over the phone or through the website, things like mileage, obvious damage, and whether it’s driving under its own steam.
If everything lines up, they load it and you’re paid on the spot. If something is noticeably different from what was described, for example the car doesn’t start when you said it would, the driver will call it in and we’ll agree an adjusted figure with you there and then, rather than driving off with an argument left unresolved. That’s the fairest way to do it and it’s how we’ve handled every collection since 2014.
The paperwork you actually need to have ready
This is the bit that trips people up more than anything to do with the car itself. Have these ready before the driver arrives:
- The vehicle logbook (VRC or VLC), signed on the back where it says the vehicle is sold
- Your NCT cert if the car has one, though it’s not a dealbreaker if it’s expired
- Photo ID that matches the name on the logbook
- Both sets of keys if you have them
- Any service history, though this affects the offer more than it affects the collection itself
If the logbook is missing entirely, tell us before the day. It’s not always a dealbreaker, but it needs sorting in advance rather than discovered on the doorstep with a driver standing there.
Non-runners and damaged cars need a different plan
A car that won’t start or has crash damage isn’t collected the same way as one that’s driving normally. We send a flatbed or a winch-equipped recovery vehicle instead of a driver who simply drives the car off your driveway. That means we need a bit more detail from you upfront: is the handbrake on or off, do the wheels turn freely, is it front-wheel or rear-wheel drive, is there enough space on the road or drive for a flatbed to get in and lower its ramp.
We buy plenty of non-runner and accident-damaged vehicles across Dublin every month, so this is routine for us, not a special favour. The honest advice here is to tell us the true condition of the car when you first get in touch. Underselling how bad it is just means the driver arrives with the wrong equipment and the collection has to be rebooked, which wastes your time and ours.
Getting access right in Dublin and Meath
Dublin throws up problems Meath rarely does, and vice versa. In the city, the usual headaches are basement car parks with low height barriers in apartment blocks, permit-only parking on streets like you’d find around Drumcondra, Rathmines or the docklands, and residents’ parking bays that a flatbed simply can’t fit into. If your car is in an underground space, tell us at booking so we send the right size vehicle, or we arrange for you to bring it up to street level for collection.
Out in Meath, the issue is usually the opposite: long or narrow farm lanes, gravel driveways that get soft after rain, or a gate that needs opening from the inside. A flatbed needs a reasonably flat, firm run to lower its ramp safely, so if your driveway slopes steeply or the entrance is tight, mention it when you book. It saves the driver turning up and having to improvise on the day.
When and how you actually get paid
Payment happens before the car leaves, not after. That’s the advantage of same-day payment.
Before collection day: a short checklist
- Remove personal belongings, toll tags, parking permits and any dash cams or trackers you want to keep
- Sign the logbook in advance so it’s not something to figure out on the doorstep
- Clear a path to the car if it’s a non-runner needing a flatbed
- Tell us about access issues (basement car park, narrow lane, steep drive) when you book, not on the day
- Have a bank account ready to receive the transfer
Get a straight answer before you commit to a buyer
We’ve been buying cars, vans, SUVs and commercial vehicles across Dublin, Meath, Louth, Wicklow, Kildare, Carlow and Cavan since 2014, including plenty that other buyers wouldn’t touch: non-runners, high mileage, crash damage, the lot. If you want to know what your car is actually worth before you commit to anyone, the quickest way is to get a free quote through We Buy Any Vehicle and see what’s involved for your specific car, van or SUV.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much notice do I need to give before collection?
We can often arrange collection within a day or two of agreeing a price, sometimes sooner if the car is easy to access and the paperwork is in order. Rural addresses in Meath or Cavan can occasionally take a little longer to schedule than city addresses, purely down to driver routes on the day.
Do I need to be home for the collection?
Ideally yes, since you’ll need to sign the handover form and confirm payment has landed. If you genuinely can’t be there, talk to us in advance so we can agree an arrangement, such as a family member handling it with your written authorisation.
What if my car doesn’t have an NCT or the logbook is lost?
An expired NCT isn’t a problem for most buying purposes. A missing logbook is more awkward but usually solvable, so flag it when you first contact us rather than on collection day, as it may affect the paperwork we need from you.
Will you collect from an apartment complex or a shared driveway?
Yes, but tell us about basement car parks, height barriers or shared access when booking. We’ll send a vehicle that fits, or arrange to meet you at street level if the space genuinely can’t take a flatbed or recovery truck.
Is collection really free, or is it deducted from the offer?
Collection anywhere in Ireland, including Dublin and Meath, is part of the service and isn’t a separate charge added on afterwards. The figure you’re offered for the car is what you get paid.
Does the price change on the day if the car is different from what I described?
It can. If the condition on the day is noticeably different from what you told us, for example a car that doesn’t start when you said it drives fine, the driver will discuss a revised figure with you before anything is loaded. Nothing is finalised without your agreement.
