Car Valuation: How Much is Your Car Worth?
Estimate your car’s actual value today using our free, independent valuation tool. Instantly receive accurate market prices for any UK-registered vehicle, allowing you to make informed decisions about selling or trading in your car.
The online valuation analyses live market data, recent sales trends, and your car’s specific details (such as registration, make, model, age, mileage, service history, and condition) to calculate a realistic, up-to-date market value.
Whether you sell online, at a dealership, or privately (like on AutoTrader), you’ll have the confidence of knowing your car’s true worth and the price you can confidently expect.
Enter your registration number below to instantly unlock your car’s accurate market value, fast, free, and reliably.
How Does a Car Valuation Work?
A valuation works by combining real market data with car details to estimate its true worth. The valuation calculator checks recent sale prices for similar vehicles and current market trends to deliver a precise valuation you can rely on.
🛒 Buying a Car
Knowing a car’s value helps you avoid overpaying, gives you leverage in negotiations, and ensures fair part-exchange deals if you’re trading in your current vehicle.
💷 Selling a Car
An accurate valuation sets a realistic asking price, attracts serious buyers, reduces time on the market, and helps you avoid underselling your vehicle.
🔄 Part Exchanging a Car
Dealers often offer lower part-exchange values compared to private sales. Knowing your car’s true worth empowers you to negotiate a better trade-in deal or decide to sell privately for a higher return.
🛡️ Insuring a Car
Your car’s value directly affects insurance premiums and potential payouts in the event of an accident or theft. Accurate valuations are also crucial for GAP insurance, ensuring you’re fully covered if your car is written off.
How to Value My Car Quickly?
Valuing your car doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.
Here’s how it works:
1️⃣ Enter your registration number — this automatically pulls up your car’s core details.
2️⃣ Add your mileage — mileage is a major factor affecting value.
3️⃣ Get your instant estimate — see your car’s current market value in seconds.
This quick, data-driven approach helps you decide whether to sell, trade in, or simply determine the value of your car, without hassle.
🔎 Car Valuation Options
AutoTrader
AutoTrader provides valuations based on a wide range of live market data from private listings and dealer adverts. Their approach is broad and trusted, but can sometimes lean conservative to encourage faster sales and prevent overpricing.
Motorway
Motorway uses dealer-driven pricing with live offers from a network of trusted buyers. This auction-style approach reflects what dealers are willing to pay today, often resulting in competitive, real-world offers and higher sale prices than traditional price guides.
Parkers
Parker's relies on a traditional price guide model, using historical data and industry benchmarks. While helpful for a general sense of value, it may not fully capture fast-changing market conditions. Best suited for early research rather than setting your final price.
We Buy Any Car
We Buy Any Car is recognised for its quick, hassle-free offers and fast transactions. However, final offers are typically lower than private sale prices, reflecting the convenience and speed they provide.
Dealership Valuation
Dealership appraisals involve a physical inspection, allowing dealers to adjust for reconditioning costs and profit margins. While these values are often lower, this option offers the fastest way to complete a trade-in or immediate sale with minimal effort on your part.
What Positively Affects the Value of My Car?
Several key factors can increase your car’s market value and make it more attractive to buyers.
Here’s what has the biggest impact:
Make & Model
Certain brands, such as VW, Audi, and Mercedes, and models like the Tiguan R-Line, A4 S-Line, and Merc S-Class, hold their value better due to strong reputations for reliability, desirability, or performance. Popular models usually have higher demand and stronger resale prices.
Recent Registration (Newer Cars)
Newer cars generally command higher values thanks to modern EV batteries, updated technology, improved safety features, and lower overall wear. A recent registration instantly increases buyer interest and price potential.
Low Mileage
Lower mileage signals less wear and tear, higher reliability, and a longer remaining lifespan. Buyers often prioritise cars with fewer miles, which boosts resale value.
Full Service History
A complete service record proves consistent maintenance and builds trust with buyers. Cars with a full service history typically achieve higher sale prices and sell faster.
Excellent Condition
Both cosmetic and mechanical conditions play a major role in value. Clean bodywork, with no major scratches or dents, and a well-maintained engine all contribute to a car's desirability and value.
One Previous Owner
A single previous owner suggests the car has been better cared for, making it more trustworthy and desirable. This often translates into a higher resale price.
Manufacturer and Transferable Warranties
Having an active manufacturer warranty or a transferable extended warranty reassures buyers, protects them from unexpected costs, and supports a higher asking price.
Fuel Type
Hybrid and electric vehicles often achieve higher resale values, especially in areas with low-emission zones. Diesel and petrol prices fluctuate in response to market demand and changing regulations.
Euro 6 Compliance and Emissions Rating
Cars that meet Euro 6 standards are typically exempt from urban charges, making them more appealing to city buyers. Better emissions ratings also future-proof your car against stricter regulations.
Safety and Performance Technology
Modern safety features (like lane assist or automatic emergency braking) and performance upgrades (such as adaptive suspension) increase appeal and justify a higher valuation.
Optional Extras
Premium features, like upgraded sound systems, advanced navigation, heated seats, or enhanced lighting, add comfort and boost a car’s resale value.
Body Colour
Neutral and classic colours (black, grey, white) usually have broader appeal and command stronger resale prices. Uncommon or bold colours may limit your buyer pool and slightly reduce value.
What Negatively Affects My Car Valuation?
Certain factors can significantly reduce your car’s value and make it harder to sell. Here’s what has the biggest negative impact:
Older Age
Older cars naturally depreciate faster. Wear and tear, outdated technology, and shifting buyer preferences all contribute to steep value drops as a car ages.
High Mileage
High mileage suggests heavy use and raises concerns about future reliability and potential repair costs. Buyers typically pay less for cars with high mileage.
Basic Model
Entry-level or basic models often lack desirable features and extras, making them less appealing to buyers. Lower demand leads to reduced resale value compared to higher-spec or upgraded versions.
Fuel Type
With the 2023 EV switch on the minds of buyers and sellers, older diesel models and less efficient petrol cars may become less attractive, especially in areas with stricter emissions standards. Changing regulations and higher running costs further decrease market value.
Poor Condition
Visible signs of neglect, dents, scratches, rust, worn interiors, or mechanical faults significantly lower a car’s value. Buyers prefer cars in clean, well-maintained condition.
No Service History
A missing or incomplete service record reduces buyer confidence. Without proof of regular maintenance, buyers perceive higher risk and adjust offers downward.
Learn how to rebuild Car Maintenance History.
Lots of Previous Owners
A long list of previous owners can suggest inconsistent care and potential hidden problems. Fewer owners are generally seen as a sign of better maintenance and higher reliability.
Accident History
Cars that have been in accidents, even if repaired, usually sell for less. Structural repairs, insurance write-offs, or category markers (such as Cat S or Cat N) permanently impact value and buyer trust.
Mileage Issues
Discrepancies in recorded mileage or evidence of odometer tampering destroy buyer trust and can drastically reduce or even eliminate resale value.
Stolen-Recovered Status
Cars previously stolen and recovered often carry a stigma and are viewed as higher risk. This makes them harder to sell and significantly reduces their value.
Modifications
Non-standard modifications (such as aftermarket performance changes or heavy customisation) can deter buyers and reduce market value. Most buyers prefer factory-original specifications for reliability and insurance reasons.
MOT Advisories
A history of repeated MOT advisories signals potential ongoing maintenance issues and future repair costs. Buyers typically factor these risks into offers, lowering the final price.
Selling a Car on Finance
If your car is still under finance, understanding how the numbers work is crucial before you sell or part-exchange. Your remaining finance balance, known as the settlement figure, may not match your car’s current market value.
Knowing this helps you avoid unexpected costs and plan your next move confidently.
Understanding the Settlement Figure
Your settlement figure is the total amount you owe to the finance company if you want to pay off your agreement early. It’s not the same as your car’s market value and isn’t simply the sum of your remaining monthly payments.
Checking this figure provides a clear and realistic starting point before selling or part-exchanging your vehicle.
See how to conduct an Outstanding Vehicle Finance Check
How to Manage Negative Equity
Negative equity occurs when your settlement figure exceeds the current value of your car. If this happens, you have a few options:
- Pay the difference directly to clear the finance balance.
- Transfer (or “roll over”) the negative amount into a new finance deal, but be aware that this will increase your future monthly costs.
- Keep the car longer, continue making payments, and let the gap reduce naturally over time.
How to Maximise Positive Equity
Positive equity means your car is worth more than what you owe. To make the most of this advantage:
- Sell or part-exchange before major depreciation milestones, such as reaching higher mileage brackets or changes to the registration plate.
- Keep your car in excellent condition, with a full service history, to protect and enhance its value.
- Monitor market trends and consider selling when demand and prices are higher.
🕵️ Conduct a Car History Check
A car history check is an essential step before valuing or selling your car. It reveals any hidden issues that can affect your car’s market price and your ability to sell confidently.
Type your registration number into our Car Check tool and validate your vehicle now.
✅ Why run a complete history check?
By running a comprehensive history check, you can:
- Verify outstanding finance — Confirm if any finance agreements are still active. Buyers typically avoid cars with unpaid finance, which can completely halt a sale.
- Check for accident or write-off history — Serious past damage (such as Cat S or Cat N classifications) can significantly reduce your car’s value and limit buyer interest.
- Confirm mileage accuracy — Identify discrepancies or possible odometer tampering, as this can severely damage buyer trust and reduce the price.
- Reveal theft or stolen-recovered status — A stolen-recovered marker lowers value and makes resale more challenging.
- Check MOT and ownership history — Detailed MOT records and consistent ownership history build transparency and strengthen buyer 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 find how much your van is worth using the same valuation tool. Factors like mileage, service records, payload capacity, and business use influence your van’s final market value.