Search for your next car from dealers who are using our guide valuation
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The condition your car is in will have a large influence on its value. We’ve assumed your car is in Good condition. There are generally 3 types of condition:
Fair
Bodywork needs minor repair, with some significant chips and scratches
Minor or cosmetic damage to wheels
Minor or cosmetic damage to lights, glass and mirrors
Interior has wear and tear, with some damage or staining
Some interior equipment does not work
Tyres are safe and legal, but tread depth may be close to legal limit
Documentation and keys present
Large gaps in service history
Current MOT
No outstanding finance
The car has never been written off
Good
Minor or cosmetic damage to bodywork, wheels, tyres and interior
Minor or cosmetic damage to lights, glass and mirrors
All tyres are safe and legal
Documentation and keys present
Partial, documented service history
Current MOT
No outstanding finance
It is not a write-off (category C, D, S or N vehicle)
Excellent
No damage to bodywork, wheels, tyres and interior
No damage to lights, glass and mirrors
All tyres are safe and legal
Documentation and keys present
Full, documented service history
Current MOT with at least six months to run
No outstanding finance
It is not a write-off (category C, D, S or N vehicle)
The guide prices we provide give you a good idea what the car might be worth, depending on how you’re buying or selling it. However, many factors can influence the price, including:
Overall condition
Cars of similar ages can have vastly different levels of wear and damage.
Number of owners
Typically, cars with more previous owners are worth less, especially if they lack documentation too.
Optional extras
Features like sat navs, leather seats and panoramic sunroofs can bump up the value.
Colour
Certain colours can be more desirable, depending on current trends and fashions.
Service history
Cars are worth more with a fully-documented service history.
MOT
Buyers often pay more for a long MOT.
Modifications
Additions like body kits, spoilers and so on can increase or decrease the value.
Rarity of model
Some cars are desirable because there aren’t so many of them around.
Extras included in the deal
Such as extended warranties
Things that can make the value go up
Extra features
Any optional extras that make a car stand out, for example a rear-facing camera to help with parking or an in-built sat nav and multimedia system.
Desirable colour
Some colours are more popular than others, so a car in a sought-after colour can be worth more.
No damage
Our car values are based on the car being in a good condition – so it could have some minor wear and tear like small stains or scratches. If a car has no damage at all and is in an excellent condition it’s likely be worth more than our guide price.
Full service history
A car with a complete record of all services can be worth more than one that has some gaps in the service history.
Things that can make the value go down
Significant wear and tear
Our car values assume the car has some minor damage, like a small stain on the back seat or scratch on the bumper. If the damage is any more significant than this it’s likely to reduce the value of the car.
Parts not working
If anything needs fixing, for example a seat warmer or electric window doesn’t work, it will have a negative impact on the car’s value.
Gaps in the service history or no current MOT
Our valuations assume a car is in good working order. If there isn’t a current MOT or significant gaps in the records of services, it can reduce the value of a car.
Lots of previous owners
Usually, the fewer owners the more a car is worth. So if a car has been sold many times before it can reduce the value.
Your part-exchange valuation will be slightly less than what you would get if you sold your car privately or if you were buying the same vehicle. This is because the dealer will be buying your car from you to resell it, meaning they’ll incur costs for stocking and preparation.
They will take these costs into account when offering you a price. Bear in mind that you may get a better deal on the car you’re buying if you part-exchange with a dealer. Our valuations play back what’s in the market, and because the used-car market changes quickly, we update our valuations every day.
The trade-in value is based on the car’s age, mileage, condition, service history, and current market demand. Dealerships typically inspect the car in person, although they may provide an initial estimate online.
Yes, you can. If there is outstanding finance, the dealer will deduct this amount from the trade-in value, or pay off the remaining balance directly with your lender. You’ll only need to pay the difference if the car’s trade-in value is less than what you owe.
Yes, cleaning your car inside and out, addressing minor repairs, and ensuring it has a full service history can help increase its trade-in value. Small details like a recent MOT and paperwork in order also make a positive impression.
Yes, dealerships are often open to negotiation, especially if you’re buying a higher-priced car. It’s a good idea to research your car’s market value on sites like Autotrader or Parkers so you’re informed when discussing the offer.
If you’re nearing the end of a lease, you may be able to part exchange your leased car by working with the dealership to pay off any remaining lease payments or buy the car outright before trading it in.