Where to sell a used trailer in the UK, and what to do first

You can sell a used trailer yourself, by advertising it and dealing with the buyer, or sell it to a trader. Selling it yourself means writing the advert, showing the trailer, and handing over a signed receipt with its serial number on it. Trailersite takes adverts from the people who own the trailers, filed by type from car transporters to catering trailers.

Lines that begin "We suggest" are our own advice and come from no source. The law quoted is named beside it, on a page read on 25 October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. The rules on what you may tow are outside this guide, so check official guidance before you sell.

Before you advertise

DVLA says the numbers that identify a trailer "are usually on a metal plate fitted to the trailer by the manufacturer or stamped into the chassis" (DVLA: Trailer registration numbers and number plates (INF291)).

We suggest:

• reading the maker, model and serial number off the plate, and checking the number stamped into the chassis is the same
• putting the maker and model in the advert, and leaving the full serial number out, so it cannot be copied onto another trailer
• finding your own purchase receipt and any receipts for work, with dates
• photographing the whole trailer, then close-ups of the plate, coupling, tyres, lamps and floor

If the trailer needs work

Under section 75 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, "no person shall supply a motor vehicle or trailer in an unroadworthy condition", and supplying includes to "sell", "offer to sell or supply" and "expose for sale" (legislation.gov.uk: Road Traffic Act 1988, section 75). A seller has a defence if they had reasonable cause to believe it would not be used on a road in Great Britain until it had been put right. A seller doing this as a business must also show they took reasonable steps to make the buyer aware.

We suggest saying plainly in the advert, and on the receipt, if the trailer needs work before it goes on the road.

On the day

We suggest a receipt with both names, the maker, the model, the serial number, the amount paid and the date, signed by you, with a copy for each of you. Take the money before the trailer leaves, and never hand it over against a payment you have not seen arrive.