Selling a hearse is very different from selling an ordinary used car. Funeral vehicles have a specialist market, and finding the right buyer can sometimes take longer simply because the number of potential purchasers is much smaller.
However, there is an active market for used hearses and funeral vehicles throughout Ireland. Funeral directors regularly replace or expand their fleets, new funeral businesses enter the market, and well-maintained older vehicles can remain useful for many years.
If you have a hearse for sale in Ireland, this guide explains how to prepare your vehicle, decide on an asking price, create an effective advert and complete the sale.
You can also browse the latest hearses and funeral vehicles for sale in Ireland on FuneralTrade.ie to see what is currently being advertised.
1. Prepare the Hearse for Sale
Presentation is particularly important when selling a funeral vehicle.
A hearse is a professional working vehicle and its condition can reflect how it has been maintained throughout its working life. Before taking photographs or arranging viewings, give the vehicle a thorough clean inside and out.
Pay particular attention to the bodywork, glass, wheels, driver’s compartment and rear deck area. Small cosmetic issues that can be repaired economically may also be worth addressing before advertising.
Gather together any documentation you have for the vehicle, including:
- Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC/logbook)
- Service history
- Maintenance and repair invoices
- Vehicle test documentation, where applicable
- Manuals and vehicle documentation
- Spare keys
- Documentation relating to the hearse conversion or coachbuilder, if available
A well-documented vehicle can give a prospective buyer considerably more confidence.
2. Work Out What Your Hearse Is Worth
Valuing a used hearse can be more difficult than valuing an ordinary car because there are fewer directly comparable vehicles on the market.
The value can depend on several factors, including the manufacturer, coachbuilder, year, mileage, condition, specification and service history.
Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and other established funeral vehicle platforms can attract different levels of demand depending on age and configuration.
When deciding on an asking price, consider:
Age and mileage
Lower mileage can be attractive, although buyers will generally consider the overall condition and maintenance history as well.
Coachbuilder and conversion
The company responsible for the hearse conversion can be important to buyers within the funeral profession.
Mechanical condition
A vehicle with evidence of regular servicing and maintenance will generally be easier to sell.
Bodywork and interior
Funeral vehicles are expected to present professionally, so exterior and interior condition can have a significant influence on buyer interest.
Matching vehicles
If you are selling a hearse together with a matching limousine or other funeral vehicle, consider advertising them individually while mentioning that a matching vehicle is also available.
If you are unsure of the value, browse the Funeral Vehicles marketplace on FuneralTrade.ie and compare your vehicle with other used hearses currently being advertised.
3. Take Good Photographs
Photographs are one of the most important parts of any vehicle advert.
Move the hearse outside where possible and photograph it during daylight. A clean, uncluttered background will help keep attention on the vehicle.
Try to include photographs showing:
- Front three-quarter view
- Rear three-quarter view
- Both sides
- Front of the vehicle
- Rear of the vehicle
- Driver’s compartment
- Dashboard
- Mileage
- Rear deck and coffin compartment
- Wheels and tyres
- Engine bay, if appropriate
- Any important equipment or features
If there is noticeable damage, consider showing it rather than deliberately avoiding it. Serious buyers will eventually inspect the vehicle, and an accurate advert can prevent wasted enquiries and journeys.
4. Write a Detailed Hearse Advert
Funeral directors buying a used hearse will usually want more information than simply the make, model and year.
A good advert should include the:
Year
Make and model
Coachbuilder/conversion manufacturer
Engine size
Fuel type
Transmission
Mileage in kilometers
Colour
Location
Service history
Mechanical condition
Bodywork condition
Number of keys
Asking price
You should also mention any significant recent expenditure such as servicing, tyres, brakes, suspension work or other mechanical repairs.
Avoid descriptions such as simply:
“Hearse for sale. Good condition. Call for details.”
Providing useful information from the beginning helps potential buyers decide whether the vehicle is suitable before contacting you.
When you’re ready, you can place an advert on FuneralTrade.ie and create a dedicated listing for your funeral vehicle.
5. Advertise Where Funeral Directors Will See It
Because a hearse is a specialist vehicle, advertising it to the right audience is particularly important.
A general motoring marketplace can provide exposure, but most visitors are looking for ordinary cars and vans rather than specialist funeral vehicles.
FuneralTrade.ie is Ireland’s marketplace for the funeral trade, providing a dedicated place for funeral directors, suppliers and other trade professionals to buy and sell funeral vehicles, equipment and supplies.
The dedicated Funeral Vehicles section allows buyers to browse hearses and other funeral vehicles advertised for sale.
Advertising within a specialist marketplace means your vehicle can be presented directly to people working within the sector.
You can view the available advertising options and prices before creating your listing.
If you’re new to the marketplace, our How It Works guide also explains how FuneralTrade.ie works for buyers, sellers and suppliers.
6. Respond to Genuine Enquiries
Potential buyers may want to know considerably more about a hearse before travelling to inspect it.
Be prepared for questions about its mileage, maintenance history, coachbuilder, mechanical condition and any work that may be required.
If someone is travelling a significant distance to view the vehicle, give them an accurate description beforehand.
Where possible, have the vehicle available in a suitable location where it can be inspected properly.
7. Agree the Sale and Payment
Once you have agreed a price, make sure payment has been received and cleared before releasing the vehicle.
For a substantial transaction, an electronic bank transfer can provide a clear record of payment. Sellers should remain alert to unusual payment arrangements, overpayment scams and requests to release a vehicle before funds have cleared.
It is also sensible for both parties to retain a written record of the transaction showing the vehicle registration, agreed price, date of sale and details of the buyer and seller.
8. Transfer Ownership Correctly
Once the hearse has been sold, make sure the change of registered ownership is completed correctly.
For a private vehicle sale in Ireland, ownership can be transferred using the State’s Online Change of Vehicle Ownership service. The seller initiates the process using the vehicle registration and Vehicle Registration Certificate details. A temporary transfer PIN is then provided, and the buyer completes the transfer using a verified MyGovID.
Alternatively, the buyer and seller can complete the change-of-ownership section of the Vehicle Registration Certificate and follow the Department of Transport’s postal procedure.
It is important that the ownership transfer is completed promptly. Until the official vehicle record has been updated, the previous registered owner can remain associated with the vehicle.
Selling a Hearse to Another Funeral Director
Many used funeral vehicles in Ireland change hands directly between funeral businesses.
For an established funeral director replacing part of a fleet, selling the existing vehicle directly can provide an opportunity to achieve a better return while giving another funeral business access to a professionally maintained vehicle.
Older hearses can also appeal to smaller or newly established funeral businesses where purchasing a new vehicle may not be practical.
Don’t assume that a hearse is too old or has too much mileage to advertise. Condition, maintenance history, presentation and price can be just as important as age.
Funeral directors looking for other products or professional services can also browse the Trade Suppliers Directory on FuneralTrade.ie.
Selling a Hearse Outside Ireland
Depending on the make, model and specification, there may also be interest from buyers outside the Republic of Ireland.
If selling a vehicle for export, additional registration, taxation, customs or vehicle-import requirements may apply depending on the buyer’s country. Both parties should establish the applicable requirements before completing the transaction.
For a vehicle being imported into Ireland, buyers should check the current Revenue requirements applicable to that particular vehicle.
Before You Advertise – Quick Checklist
Before putting your hearse up for sale:
✓ Clean and professionally present the vehicle
✓ Gather the VRC and available documentation
✓ Find the service and maintenance history
✓ Decide on a realistic asking price
✓ Take clear photographs in daylight
✓ Record the correct mileage
✓ Include the coachbuilder where known
✓ Describe the condition accurately
✓ Mention significant recent maintenance
✓ Have spare keys and documentation ready
✓ Be prepared to answer questions from prospective buyers
Ready to Sell Your Hearse?
If you have a hearse for sale in Ireland, FuneralTrade.ie gives you a dedicated place to advertise it directly to the funeral profession.
Whether you’re selling a modern funeral vehicle, an older working hearse, a matching hearse and limousine combination or another specialist funeral vehicle, creating a detailed listing can help put it in front of relevant trade buyers.
Place your advert on FuneralTrade.ie and reach funeral professionals throughout Ireland.
You can also view our advert pricing before choosing the listing option that suits you.
Looking to Buy a Hearse Instead?
If you’re searching for your next funeral vehicle, browse the latest hearses and funeral vehicles for sale in Ireland on FuneralTrade.ie.
New and used funeral vehicles can be advertised by funeral directors, trade sellers and other owners throughout Ireland.
Before setting an asking price, you can browse used hearses for sale in Ireland to compare current vehicles and specifications.
