How to Sell a Used Car in London, Ontario (2026 Guide)

The Forest City's no-BS playbook for turning your car into cash

Your car is sitting in your driveway. Maybe it's the commuter you don't need anymore because you're working remote. Maybe it's the "project car" you lost interest in. Maybe it's perfectly fine but you just want something different.

Whatever the reason, selling it in London shouldn't feel like a part-time job.

I've sold eleven cars in this city over the years (different ones, not the same car eleven times - though that would be an impressive scam). I've learned exactly what works in our specific market, with our specific buyers, and our specific chaos.

Here's your 2026 roadmap.

First: The London Market Right Now

Who's buying cars in London today:

Western & Fanshawe students - 60,000+ young humans who need wheels
New Canadians - London's population keeps growing, and newcomers need affordable transportation
Commuters - People driving to Toronto 2-3 days a week (RIP that 401 traffic)
First-time buyers - Young Londoners finally saved enough

Who's selling:

People upgrading to EVs
Students graduating and leaving town
Families with an extra car they don't need
You (probably)

The math works. You just need to connect with the right person.

Step 1: Get Real About Your Car

Walk outside right now. Look at your car. Answer these questions honestly:

What condition is it actually in?

Mint - Looks new, drives perfect, no issues
Good - Daily driver, some wear, everything works
Fair - Runs but needs things, has quirks
Rough - Project car, parts, "mechanic special"

Why are you selling?

Upgrading (honest answer)
Moving (common in London)
It's becoming a problem (also honest)
You just want it gone (valid)

The 2026 reality check: Buyers have options. If your car needs work, price it accordingly. If it's clean, you can ask for more. But lying in your listing guarantees wasted time for everyone.

Must Read:-

Step 2: Price It Right the First Time

Nothing says "I don't actually want to sell this" like a price $3,000 above market value.

How to price in 2026:

Check these sources:

AutoTrader - Search within 100km of London, filter to your exact model
Facebook Marketplace - Use the "sold listings" filter (shows what people actually paid)
Canadian Black Book - Their AI tool now predicts real sale prices for your specific car
Local Facebook groups - Search your car model in "London Ontario Cars for Sale" and see what's sitting

London pricing factors:

The student premium - Cars under $10,000 sell faster here than in Toronto
The rust reality - London cars see salt. Be honest about undercarriage condition.
The EV bump - Hybrids and EVs command 15-20% more than gas equivalents

Pricing psychology:

$9,900 sells faster than $10,000 (same reason stores price things at $19.99)
Odd numbers feel calculated ($8,750 vs $9,000)
Leave $300-500 room for negotiation (Londoners love to feel like they won)

Step 3: Where to List in 2026 (Ranked)

1. Fliku.com

London's fastest-growing local marketplace for a reason. Every feature exists because someone got burned on another platform.

Why it works:

Buyers are verified (no anonymous tire-kickers)

AI scam detection blocks stolen photos and fake profiles

Built-in safe meetup suggestions with live location sharing

Student verification badges (know if you're dealing with a Western kid with cash)

Zero "Is this available?" bots

Best for: Anyone who values their time and sanity

2. Facebook Marketplace

Still the 800-pound gorilla. Everyone in London checks it.

The catch in 2026: Free listings get buried. You need to budget $20-30 to promote your post for the first week. Worth it.

Best for: Maximum visibility, mainstream cars

3. TikTok Local Classifieds

TikTok launched local classifieds in late 2025. It's video-first and Gen Z-only.

How it works:

Film a 60-second walkaround

Add #ldnont #westernu #fanshawe #carsales

Serious inquiries only (TikTok users under 25 actually show up)

Best for: Cars under $15,000, sporty cars, anything a student would want

4. Kijiji Autos

Kijiji looks exactly like it did in 2015. The audience is older, more serious, and less likely to ghost you. Fewer messages, but higher quality.

Best for: Trucks, work vehicles, family cars

5. AutoTrader

The premium option. Costs $50-120 depending on package, but buyers are pre-qualified and serious.

2026 update: AutoTrader now offers "Verified Inspection" where a mechanic comes to your house. Cars with this badge sell 3x faster.

Best for: Cars over $15,000, luxury vehicles, rare models

6. Western University Student Marketplace

Western's official student app (Fanshawe joined in 2025) requires .edu emails. Zero scams, all students, fast sales.

Best for: Cars under $10,000, first cars, student-friendly vehicles

Step 4: Photos That Actually Sell

The 2026 photo standard:

30+ photos minimum - No excuses
Exterior: Front, back, both sides, angles, close-ups of wheels
Interior: Dash (show the mileage running), seats, back seat, trunk, ceiling (check for stains)
Engine bay: Clean it first, then photograph
Damage: Every scratch, dent, and imperfection gets a close-up
Underbody: Jack it up or get a mechanic to snap photos (buyers check for rust)

Video requirements:

Cold start (record it first thing in the morning)
Driving footage (slow acceleration, braking, turning)
Walkaround narration (talk through the car's condition)

Pro tip: Natural light, golden hour (sunset), clean background. If your photos include garbage, pet hair, or your messy garage, retake them.

Step 5: Write a Description That Builds Trust

Bad listing: "2018 Honda Civic, good condition, $14,000 obo"

Good listing:

*"2018 Honda Civic LX - 145,000km - London (White Oaks area)*

Selling my daily driver because I just accepted a job in Toronto (moving sucks, but the money's good).

The detailed truth:

Mechanical:

Oil changed every 8,000km at Honda dealership on Wharncliffe (records in glovebox)

New brakes front and rear installed May 2025

Winter tires on steel rims (installed November 2025, one season used)

Summer tires have 60% tread left

Passed safety inspection March 2026 at Canadian Tire (certificate included)

Cosmetic:

Small scratch on passenger door (Masonville parking lot incident, photo 23)

Driver's seat has normal wear (145,000km worth)

No rust (garage kept, undercarriage photos included)

Features that work:

Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

Backup camera

Heated seats

Remote starter (installed 2024)

Price: $13,900

Located near White Oaks Mall. Available for test drives evenings and weekends. Cash, certified cheque, or Fliku Pay. Please actually show up if you say you will - I'm taking time off work for viewings.

Why this works: Complete transparency. Buyers read this and think "finally, someone honest." No surprises = serious offers.

Step 6: Handle Messages Like a Pro

You will get stupid messages. Respond professionally anyway.

"Is this available?"

You: "Yes, still available. When would you like to see it in person?"

"Would you take $9,000?" (on a $14,000 car)

You: "I'm priced at $13,900 based on comparable Civics in London. If your budget is $9,000, you might want to look at older models with higher mileage. Let me know if you'd like to see this one."

"I'm in Toronto but my cousin can pick it up Friday..."

You: "Sorry, I'm only selling to local buyers who can view the car in person. Let me know if you'll be in London."

"Can you send more videos?"

You: "Absolutely. What specifically do you want to see? I can send WhatsApp videos right now."

Red flags (block and move on):

"I'll pay full price if you hold it for two weeks" (scam)

"I'm out of town but I'll send a deposit" (scam)

"Can you meet at 11 PM?" (no)

Any mention of cryptocurrency (still? yes, still)

Step 7: The Test Drive (Safety First)

Before they arrive:

Verify their identity through Fliku or ask for a quick video call

Confirm they have a valid driver's license

Tell them you're bringing a friend (even if you're not, say you are)

Meet at a public location, not your home

London safe meetup spots:

London Police Service HQ (601 Dundas St) - 24/7 video monitoring

Any London fire station (designated exchange zones)

CF Masonville parking garage (busy, cameras everywhere)

White Oaks Mall parking lot (always busy)

Western University campus (security patrols)

During the test drive:

You drive first (show them how it handles)

They drive second (on a planned route, main roads only)

No solo drives - you stay in the car

Stick to Oxford, Wonderland, Fanshawe Park Road - busy, safe, cameras everywhere

No back roads, no industrial areas, no "let me just hear it in this empty lot"

After the test drive:

Ask if they have questions

If they want to think about it, set a timeline ("I have someone else coming tomorrow")

If they want to buy, move to paperwork immediately

Step 8: Ontario Paperwork 2026 (Digital Everything)

Ontario's system is now fully digital. Here's what you need:

Required:

Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP) - Buy from ServiceOntario for $20. Shows lien status, vehicle history. Required by law to provide to buyer.

Digital Bill of Sale - Complete in the ServiceOntario app

License plates - YOU KEEP THESE. Buyer gets new plates.

Safety Standards Certificate - Optional but recommended (adds $1,000+ to your price)

The digital transfer process:

Open ServiceOntario app

Select "Vehicle Transfer"

Enter buyer's email

Buyer accepts and pays taxes online

Transfer complete in 5 minutes

You get confirmation email

Pro tip: Complete the transfer before they drive away. If you wait, and they get a ticket or crash, it's still your car legally.

Common London Selling Mistakes

Mistake #1: Bad timing

Posting during exam weeks (April, December) = students are stressed, not shopping. Post during Reading Week, right after semesters end, or in September when students arrive.

Mistake #2: Ignoring students

60,000 students means 60,000 potential buyers. Use phrases like "perfect for student," "UWO/Fanshawe commute," "first car." Student buyers are serious.

Mistake #3: No Carfax

In 2026, if you don't provide a Carfax, buyers assume you're hiding something. Spend the $45.

Mistake #4: Emotional pricing

Your 2012 Civic with 200,000km is not "basically new." Price it based on data, not feelings.

Mistake #5: One platform only

Fliku, Marketplace, TikTok Local, Kijiji, AutoTrader, Western app. List everywhere. Cast the widest net possible.

Mistake #6: Ignoring winter tires

If your car comes with winters, say so. Adds $500-800 in perceived value.

The "Sold!" Checklist

Immediately after sale:

Complete digital transfer in ServiceOntario app

Remove your license plates

Cancel your insurance (effective immediately)

Take a photo of the signed bill of sale

Delete all your listings everywhere

Leave feedback for the buyer (help the next seller)

Treat yourself (you earned it)

Why Fliku Makes Sense for London Sellers

Every platform claims to be the best. Here's what actually matters:

Fliku features that save you time:

Verified buyer profiles (no anonymous messages)

Built-in safe meetup suggestions with live tracking

Digital paperwork integration

Student verification badges

Zero bots

The result: Less time answering stupid messages, more time dealing with serious buyers.

[List your car on Fliku - London sellers get their first listing free]

London 2026 FAQ

Q: How long does it take to sell a car in London?

A: Priced right, good photos, multiple platforms? 3-10 days. Overpriced with bad photos? Months.

Q: Do I need a safety certificate?

A: Not legally required for private sale. But cars with safeties sell faster and for more money. Basic math.

Q: What's the best day to post?

A: Thursday evening. People plan their weekend activities, including car shopping.

Q: Are international students good buyers?

A: Yes. Many come with cash budgets approved by parents. Just verify they have valid Canadian licenses.

Q: How do I spot a scammer?

A: Poor grammar, urgency ("I'll pay full price without seeing it"), refusal to meet in person, weird payment requests. Trust your gut.

Q: Should I let them take the car to their mechanic?

A: Yes, but you go with them. Follow them to the shop, wait, drive it back.

Ready to Sell?

Your car has a buyer somewhere in London. They're scrolling right now, looking for exactly what you have.

Price it right. Photograph it well. Be painfully honest. List it everywhere.

And please, clean out the trash before you take photos.

Questions about selling in London? Drop them in the comments. I've probably made every mistake you're about to make.