How to value your car: the complete guide ~ station of gear

It's not always easy to check your car's value when you want to sell, so here's our helpful guide

2015-08-27 13:17

When it's time to sell your car, the first thing you need to work out is how much it is worth. The AA estimates that, on average, a new car will lose 60 per cent of its value in three years. This means a car you bought for £25,000 will sell for just £10,000 in three years time.

Yet not all cars follow a fixed route of depreciation - some preserve their value better than others, and it’s important for owners to know why. We've put together a complete guide to understanding the factors that affect your car's value the most, as well as showing you how to value your car when you’re ready to part ways.

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What factors affect my car's value?

Most cars lose the bulk of their value in the first three to five years, and the AA estimates that after eight years many cars are unlikely to depreciate further. But the make of your car can easily determine how much the years devalue your vehicle. The car valuation service Glass’s published a report earlier in the year highlighting the lowest depreciating makes in the UK:

Make	Annual rate of depreciation
Land Rover	20.3%
Tesla	28.5%
Maserati	29.8%
Audi	31.1%
MINI	31.3%
Jeep	31.7%
Lexus	33.0%
Dacia	33.6%
Mitsubishi	34.0%
Mazda	34.2%

As the data shows, premium makes tend to retain their value better than budget brands.

Age and make are factors most drivers will be unable to change after purchasing a vehicle, but where every motorist can make the difference is how much and how carefully they drive their car. Mileage on a car is what most buyers look for, and keeping it low will go a long way in ensuring a higher sale price.

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Keeping your car serviced is another key component of maintaining value – cars without a consistent service and MoT history are said to sell for 10 per cent less than those without the correct stamps. Keeping all of the service and spare parts receipts help potential buyers verify the car is in good condition and has the appropriate history to validate the price.

Servicing aside, a clean and well maintained car without scratches and scruffs will always sell for higher than a rugged counterpart – remember this the next time you’re attempting an ambitious parallel park.

Taking all this into account, the next step is to find out how much is your car actually worth.

How to value your car

The easiest way to get a rough estimate of your car value is to go to a classifieds website and search for your specific make, model, and year with a similar mileage and condition to see what people are willing to fork up.

Going to a dealership and asking for a value might not be as accurate as hoped for, as dealerships will often give a low-ball offer. They have their own margins to cover, after all.

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Industry professionals such as CAP and Glass’s provide a service where you input your vehicle details and they provide you with a rough estimate. These are often paid services, but could be worth the money if you can't seem to find the right value by doing your own research.

Ultimately, though, a car will sell for as much as someone is willing to pay for it, so don’t be afraid to be slightly optimistic when putting it up for sale - and take money off if it won't shift.

Now read our extensive guide to saving on your motoring costs.

Martin Saarinen

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