Car Valuation: How Much is Your Car Worth?
Get an accurate, up-to-date valuation for any UK-registered vehicle using a free, independent tool.
Analyse real-time market data, recent sales, and key vehicle details, including registration, make, model, mileage, service history, age, and condition. Calculate a price you can trust.
Whether you're selling privately, trading in at a dealership, or comparing offers online, this valuation provides the insight to price confidently and avoid under-selling.
🔍 Enter your registration number below to see your car’s real market value, fast, free and reliable.
How Does a Car Valuation Work?
Car values are determined using real-time market data and vehicle details to estimate what a car is worth today.
The tool compares recent sale prices for similar models, adjusting for mileage, age, and condition to provide an accurate value you can act on.
Whether you're buying, selling, part-exchanging, or insuring, knowing the market value helps you make stronger decisions.
🛒 Buying a Car
Check if the asking price is fair. Avoid overpaying and use the valuation to negotiate with confidence.
💷 Selling a Car
Set a realistic price that attracts buyers and avoids underselling. A trusted valuation helps your car sell faster.
🔄 Part Exchanging a Car
Dealers offer below-market trade-in values. A verified valuation gives you leverage to negotiate or choose a private sale instead.
🛡️ Insuring a Car
Valuations affect premiums, claims, and GAP cover. Knowing your car’s true market value ensures you're properly protected.
How Can I Value My Car Quickly?
Get an instant car valuation using just your registration number and mileage.
Here’s how it works:
1️⃣ Enter your registration number – Your car’s key details are retrieved automatically.
2️⃣ Add your mileage – Mileage plays a major role in determining value.
3️⃣ View your instant estimate – See your car’s current market value in seconds.
This fast, data-driven process helps you decide whether to sell, part-exchange, or check what your car is worth.
No guesswork or hassle.
🔎 Car Valuation Options
Not all valuation tools work the same way.
Here’s how the most popular UK car valuation services differ.
Compare and decide what works best for you.
AutoTrader
Uses live market data from private listings and dealer adverts. Their valuations are trusted and wide-reaching, but can lean conservative to avoid overpricing and speed up sales.
Motorway
Provides real-time dealer offers through a competitive bidding system. This auction model often delivers higher sale prices, reflecting what buyers are willing to pay now.
Parkers
Relies on historical data and industry averages. It’s useful for early research but may lag behind fast-moving market trends, best for estimates, not firm pricing.
We Buy Any Car
Known for quick offers and simple transactions. Final valuations are typically lower to reflect their convenience-based model and immediate buying process.
Dealership Valuation
Involves a physical appraisal. Dealers adjust for reconditioning and resale margin, often resulting in lower values, but it’s the fastest path to a trade-in or instant sale.
What Positively Affects the Value of My Car?
Key factors can boost your car’s market value and attract more serious buyers.
Here’s what matters most:
Make & Model
Brands like VW, Audi, and Mercedes tend to hold value, especially sought-after trims like the Tiguan R-Line, A4 S-Line, or S-Class. Strong demand drives better resale prices.
Recent Registration
Newer vehicles command higher values thanks to updated technology, lower wear, and stronger buyer appeal.
Low Mileage
Fewer miles usually mean less wear. Buyers see low-mileage cars as more reliable and are willing to pay more.
Full Service History
A complete maintenance record builds trust and often leads to quicker sales at better prices.
Excellent Condition
Clean paintwork and a well-maintained engine add value. Visible wear or mechanical issues reduce resale potential.
One Previous Owner
Single-owner cars suggest consistent care and are often priced higher than those with multiple past owners.
Active Warranty
Manufacturer or transferable warranties add buyer confidence and can support a stronger asking price.
Fuel Type
Hybrid and electric vehicles often retain value better, especially in low-emission zones. Petrol and diesel prices vary with trends and regulations.
Euro 6 Compliance
Cars that meet Euro 6 standards avoid many urban charges, making them more appealing to city drivers.
Safety & Performance Features
Modern safety systems (e.g. lane assist, auto braking) and performance upgrades (e.g. adaptive suspension) increase buyer interest and perceived value.
Premium Extras
Upgrades like sat nav, heated seats, enhanced lighting, and premium audio systems boost desirability and resale price.
Body Colour
Neutral colours like black, grey, and white have broad appeal. Unusual shades may limit interest slightly.
What Negatively Affects My Car Valuation?
Certain factors can reduce your car’s value and make it harder to sell.
Here’s what impacts resale price the most:
Older Age
Older cars depreciate faster due to wear, outdated tech, and changing buyer preferences.
High Mileage
Heavy use raises concerns about reliability and repair costs. Buyers typically avoid high-mileage vehicles unless heavily discounted.
Basic Model
Entry-level trims often lack features that buyers expect, reducing appeal and resale value.
Fuel Type
Older diesel models and inefficient petrol cars lose value as buyers shift toward EVs and low-emission vehicles. Regulation changes also affect demand.
Poor Condition
Dents, scratches, worn interiors, rust, or mechanical faults lower trust and final sale price.
No Service History
Missing or incomplete maintenance records reduce buyer confidence and lead to lower offers.
Multiple Previous Owners
A long ownership chain may suggest inconsistent care. Cars with fewer previous owners are usually valued higher.
Accident History
Previous repairs, write-offs (Cat S/N), or structural damage permanently reduce resale value and buyer trust.
Mileage Discrepancies
Gaps or signs of tampering in the mileage record destroy credibility and can eliminate resale value entirely.
Stolen-Recovered Status
Even if recovered, previously stolen cars are harder to sell and carry a lasting stigma that affects price.
Aftermarket Modifications
Non-standard performance mods or styling changes often reduce value. Most buyers prefer original factory spec for reliability and insurance purposes.
MOT Advisories
A pattern of MOT advisories signals ongoing issues or deferred maintenance. Buyers factor this risk into lower offers.
Selling a Car on Finance
If your car is still under finance, it’s essential to understand how the numbers work before selling or part-exchanging.
The amount you owe, known as the settlement figure, may not match your car’s current value.
Knowing the difference helps you avoid surprise costs and plan your next move with confidence.
Understanding the Settlement Figure
Your settlement figure is what you owe the finance provider if you repay the agreement early.
It’s not the same as your car’s market value, and it’s not simply your remaining monthly payments.
Getting this figure is your first step before selling or trading in.
👉 Run an Outstanding Finance Check to see if any debt is linked to your vehicle.
How to Manage Negative Equity
Negative equity means you owe more than the car is worth.
If that happens, you have options:
- Pay the difference out of pocket to settle the finance.
- Roll the shortfall into a new finance deal, but this increases your future monthly costs.
- Keep the car longer and continue payments until the balance drops below its value.
How to Maximise Positive Equity
Positive equity means your car is worth more than what you owe.
To get the most from it:
- Sell early — before depreciation milestones like a new plate change or major mileage step.
- Maintain condition — keep a full service history and clean mechanical record.
- Watch market trends — sell when demand rises, especially for in-demand models or fuel types.
🕵️ Conduct a Car History Check
A car history check is essential before valuing or selling your vehicle. It reveals hidden issues that affect market value and your ability to sell confidently.
🔎 Start a Reg Check to validate your vehicle instantly.
✅ Why run a complete history check?
A full vehicle history report helps you:
✅ Verify Outstanding Finance
Confirm if any finance agreements are still active. Cars with unpaid finance are harder to sell and may block legal transfer.
✅ Check for Write-Off or Accident History
Cat S or Cat N damage classifications lower resale value and reduce buyer trust.
✅ Confirm Mileage Accuracy
Spot inconsistencies or odometer tampering that can damage credibility and drop the car’s value.
✅ Reveal Theft or Stolen-Recovered Status
A stolen-recovered label discourages buyers and makes resale more difficult.
✅ Review MOT and Ownership History
Consistent MOT records and stable ownership timelines increase transparency and build confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
To find out how much your vehicle is worth, simply use our free online valuation tool. Enter your registration number and mileage to get an instant, data-backed estimate of your car’s current market price.
For an accurate car valuation, you’ll need your registration number, current mileage, overall condition, and service history. These details ensure your valuation reflects precise market data and shows how much your car is really worth.
Yes, you can value your car by just using your registration number. Our system instantly pulls core specs and market insights. Adding mileage and condition details makes your car valuation even more precise.
A trade car valuation is the price a dealer offers when you part-exchange your vehicle. It’s typically lower than a private sale price because it accounts for dealer reconditioning costs and profit margins.
A retail valuation is the price you might achieve when Selling a Car Privately. This value is usually higher than a trade-in, but it may take longer to secure a buyer and requires more effort.
A forecourt valuation is the price a dealer would list your car for on their lot. It includes preparation, warranty, and dealer margin, so it’s the highest price point, but not what you’ll receive directly.
The predicted market value estimates what your car might be worth in the future, taking into account depreciation, seasonal trends, and market conditions. Knowing this helps you decide when to sell for the best return.
An insurance write-off value is the amount your car is worth if it is declared a total loss. This is based on its pre-accident market value and damage classification (such as Cat S or Cat N), which can significantly reduce its resale value.
Learn about Total Loss Categories.
Glass’s Guide valuation is a long-standing trade reference used by dealers and insurers to determine car values. While respected, it may not always align with fast-moving market changes.
A CAP valuation offers trade, auction, and fleet values. Widely used by the motor trade, it provides quick wholesale price references similar to Glass’s Guide.
Learn about CAP HPI.
Your car’s P11D value is used to calculate company car tax. It includes the list price, delivery fees, and most extras, but excludes road tax and first registration charges.
The best time to value your car is just before selling. Spring and early summer often bring stronger prices and higher demand, while registration plate changes (March and September) can affect trends.
The best time to sell your car is usually in spring or early summer when demand peaks. Avoid plate change periods when supply increases, as prices may drop.
Part exchanging your car is faster and more convenient but typically results in a lower price. Selling privately can fetch a higher value but takes more time and effort.
The best place to sell your car depends on your priorities. For a quick sale, We Buy Any Car or local dealerships. For the highest price: private sale platforms like AutoTrader or Motorway’s dealer auction.
Read the steps to Sell My Car Online.
How much is my van worth?
You can value your van using the same vehicle valuation tool used for cars.
The estimate is based on real-time market data and key van-specific factors, including:
- Mileage and service history — Lower mileage and full records support higher values.
- Payload capacity — Larger or specialist payloads can increase resale appeal.
- Business use and condition — Signs of heavy use or wear from commercial work may reduce value.
- MOT and ownership history — A clean, consistent history improves buyer trust and price.
Enter your registration and mileage to get an instant van valuation based on current market demand.