How Is a Used Car Valued?

Make, model, age and specification

The starting point is what the car is. Some models are always in demand because they are cheap to run, reliable, or simply what lots of families and small firms want. Others are harder to place, so buyers tend to be more cautious about them.

Age matters, but so does the exact version. Engine size, fuel type, gearbox, trim level and options can all shift how attractive a particular car is to the next owner.

It also helps to be realistic about extras. A panoramic roof, leather seats or a well-regarded engine option can make a car more appealing, but only if everything works. A heated seat that no longer heats or a sat nav that has stopped updating is more likely to be noticed than praised.

Mileage and what it says about wear

Mileage is a quick indicator of wear on the engine, gearbox, clutch, suspension and interior. Lower is generally better, but it is not the full story. A car with modest mileage that has sat unused for long periods can have its own problems, such as tired rubber parts and a flat battery habit.

On the other hand, higher mileage covered mostly on motorways, with regular servicing, can be perfectly respectable. This is why paperwork that backs up the number is so useful.

Condition inside, outside and underneath

This is where the assessment becomes personal to your car. Someone looks at the bodywork for dents, scratches, previous repairs and rust. They check the tyres, the wheels and any alloy damage, then the interior for wear, stains and warning lights on the dashboard.

They will also pay attention to how the car drives and starts, and whether anything leaks, rattles or smokes. Faults are not necessarily a deal-breaker, but they do need factoring in, because someone will have to put them right.

Take a few minutes before any inspection to see the car as a stranger would. Walk round it in good light, sit in each seat, and note anything you would want explained. If you can see it, so can the person assessing it, and it is better to mention it yourself than have it discovered.

• Paintwork, panels and signs of earlier accident repair
• Tyre condition and wheel damage
• Interior wear, smells and electrical extras that do not work
• Warning lights, noises and general running
• Underbody and sill condition

Service history, MOT and paperwork

A stamped service book or a folder of invoices tells a buyer the car has been cared for. Missing history does not make a car unsellable, but it removes reassurance, and buyers allow for that uncertainty.

The MOT also counts. A long MOT with a clean record is a good sign. A recent failure, or a list of advisories about brakes, corrosion or suspension, tells the buyer what is likely to need work soon. You should also have the V5C logbook and spare keys to hand, since both affect how smooth the sale feels.

Market demand and why valuations are an assessment

Even the same car can be worth more or less to a buyer depending on timing and demand. A family hatchback might be easy to move at one time of year; a convertible is usually easier when the weather improves. Fuel type and what is popular locally also nudge the picture.

That is why a valuation is an assessment rather than a fixed figure from a chart. At Banks of the Tyne we carry out vehicle valuations when we purchase cars, and the honest answer is that it depends on inspection. Online guides can give you a rough idea, but they cannot see the dent in the rear quarter or smell the damp in the footwell.

Frequently asked questions