By: Short answer: when selling a car on commission (or on consignment) in Portugal, you hand your car over to a stand that sells it for you and charges a percentage of the sale — or a fixed amount. The part that raises questions is this: a serious stand has real costs the moment it accepts your car, so there may be a commission or a deposit even if the sale takes time or does not happen. Here we explain why and how our approach works. If you prefer an immediate sale, request a valuation of your car.
What selling on commission means in Portugal
On commission, the car remains yours until it sells, but it is displayed and marketed by the stand: photos, the ad, enquiries, test drives and paperwork are on the professional's side. When it sells, the stand keeps the agreed commission (percentage or fixed) and you receive the rest. It is the opposite of an immediate buyout (we buy the car), where you get paid right away, lower, but without waiting.
Why there are costs even without a sale
This is the honest question. As soon as a stand accepts your car for sale, it starts spending money — whether the car leaves tomorrow or in three months:
| Cost | Why it exists |
|---|---|
| Preparation and detailing | Professional photos and a clean car sell faster and for more |
| Paid advertising | Featured listings on StandVirtual/OLX and campaigns cost per ad |
| Space and security | A spot at the stand, insurance and surveillance while the car is in its care |
| Staff | Answering calls, filtering out the merely curious, running test drives |
| Warranty and financing | Preparing the legal warranty and linking the buyer to financing partners |
That is why it is legitimate for a serious stand to charge a commission or ask for an initial deposit: it is investing real money in your car before there is a sale. What you should demand is transparency — knowing to the cent what you pay, in which case, and what you receive.
Commission or immediate buyout: how to choose
If you need fast, certain money, an immediate buyout is simpler: you get paid now, without waiting for a buyer. If you have time and want to maximise value, commission usually pays more in the end, because the car is sold at market price to a final buyer — and not at the trade-in value. It is the same logic we explain in how to buy, import or sell without a language barrier.
How we do it in Portugal
We explain the commission before accepting the car, we handle photos, the ad, enquiries, test drives and paperwork (IMT/registration), and the sale goes through a verified channel — without the fraud risk of a private sale (see the most common scams in buying and selling used cars). Important note: we are not credit intermediaries; the buyer's financing is handled by authorised partners, when approved.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a stand charge on commission in Portugal?
It varies by stand and by car — it can be a percentage of the sale or a fixed amount. The key is to have in writing how much you pay, in which case, and what you receive in the end.
Do I have to pay if the car does not sell?
It depends on the agreement. Since the stand has real costs (photos, ads, space), there may be a deposit or a minimum charge. Insist that this be clear before you hand over the car.
Do I get more on commission than with an immediate buyout?
Usually yes, because the car is sold to a final buyer at market price; in exchange you wait longer. An immediate buyout pays less, but now and without the wait.
Is the car still mine during the commission?
Yes, until the sale goes through. The stand markets it for you; ownership only changes at the moment of the sale.
