Quick Answer
Car valuation is the process of estimating the market value of a car. It is an important step in buying or selling a car, as it can help you to ensure that you are getting a fair price. To get the most fair car valuation use multiple sources.
First of all, check how much cash you could get selling it hassle free to Peddle, Wheelzy and CarBrain. Then check how much you could get selling it privately using Kelly Blue Book and Edmunds.
Keep in mind that selling privately requires a significant time commitment. So, if Peddle, Wheelzy or Carbrain offer a decent deal, it’s worth considering.
Best for Older & Damaged Cars
Buys used, damaged or junk cars
Free tow and no hidden fees
Pays by ACH trasfer or check
Top Pick for Junk Cars
Free, no-obligation cash offers
Offers free paperwork service
Pays on the spot upon pick up
Highly Rated by Customers
Excellent customer service ratings
Honors guaranteed offer for 7 days
Can pick up a car within 48 hours
Great for Low-Mileage Cars
Gives a real offer in 2 minutes
100% hassle-free online process
Free car’s Value Tracker available
13 Best Places to Get Your Car Valuation
1. Peddle
Peddle Summary
- Sell used, damaged or junk car nationwide
- Free towing within 48 hours after offer
- Receive payment upon car collection
- Get free online quote – offer valid 7 days
- Instant quote available on (855) 925 4302
- No obligation to accept the offer
Peddle is an online car-buying service that provides an instant cash offer for any car.
To get your car value estimates, you need to fill out an online form and provide details such as:
- Car’s make and model
- Car’s year of manufacturing
- Car’s mileage
- Your zip code
- Describe vehicle condition
Peddle car valuation tool is free, and you can sell your vehicle to Peddle within a few minutes. Once you fill out a form, you will have 7 days to accept the offer.
Peddle will arrange the car’s pickup within 48 hours free of charge, will take care of all the paperwork, and you will be paid by Peddle’s representative at the time of the car’s tow away.
2. Wheelzy
Wheelzy Summary
- Service is completely free – no hidden fees
- Get offer in minutes – (855) 510-1108
- Free towing of your car from your location
- Instant payment via cash or check
- Possible to negotiate the offer
- Available nationwide (50 states)
Wheelzy is a similar company to Peddle and also offers free car valuation.
Wheelzy buys all types of cars, including damaged, old, non-running and with missing or falling parts.
To get an instant cash offer, you need to fill out an online form and provide your zip code, vehicle’s make and model, year and your phone number.
Wheelzy representative will contact you within a few minutes and provide you with an offer.
3. CarBrain
CarBrain Summary
- Call for a free quote – (844) 407-2200
- Get cash for your car in under 48 hours
- CarBrain buys cars in over 7 conditions
- Up to 7 days to accept CarBrain’s offer
CarBrain is a nationwide car-buying company that will give you an instant offer for your car. All you need to do to get the offer is to fill out an online application with your car details. This offer will take into consideration the make, model, age, and condition of your car, giving you a fair and accurate valuation of your vehicle.
Once you accept the offer, CarBrain will handle the pick-up and payment quickly, generally within 24-48 hours. They have an excellent reputation for providing reliable and fair prices, which is confirmed by positive customer feedback. The company has 4.8-star ratings on review sites like Trustpilot and BBB.
CarBrain doesn’t charge any fees, making it a cost-effective option to get your car valuation. Plus, you’re not obliged to sell your car to the company after you get a free valuation.
4. Carvana
Carvana Summary
- Get an online quote within 2 minutes
- Free pickup wtihin 100 miles of a hub
- Offer valid for 7 days or 250 more miles
- Haggle-free process to sell your car
Carvana is a popular dealership that has been operating since 2012. You can sell and also trade in your vehicle with Carvana.
To get an instant cash offer fill out an online form and provide your license plate number or VIN. You might need to provide additional details about your car and it’s condition.
Once you done Carvana will send you an offer within 2 minutes and you will have up to seven days or an additional 250 miles to decide if you want to sell a car.
One of biggest advantages of Carvana is that they offer free car tow service if you are located within 100 miles of one of their hubs.
Carvana only buys used cars in good condition. This means car must be in running condition, can be safely driven and with working odometer.
5. CarGurus
CarGurus Summary
- Receive payment within 3 working days
- Find out the market value of your car
- List your car for sale in under 5 minutes
- Up to $75,000 in protection for your sale
CarGurus is another company that allows you to get free car valuation. The process is very simple and only takes a few minutes.
To get an instant offer for your vehicle add your VIN or license plate number to online calculator and provide additional information about car’s condition.
CarGurus typically send on offer within few minutes and offers free car tow service if you decide to sell car online.
Platform also allows you to list vehicle on their website and sell to a private buyer. So another way to check your car’s worth is by browsing similar car ads on CarGurus to find out how much can you expect to get.
6. Kelly Blue Book
KBB Summary
- Provides an Instant Cash Offer
- Helps to determine your car’s value
- It’s free to use the KBB valuation tool
- Check your car for any recalls
The Kelly Blue Book is a renowned and trusted online resource for vehicle valuation and assessment. The company has been providing up-to-date values of second-hand cars since the 1920s.
Kelly Blue Book provides an accurate estimate of what your old car will be worth when you want to trade it in or sell it privately.
Ideally, Kelly Blue Book determines the book values of cars by analyzing market factors, gathering pricing information of vehicles, and comparing them with current economic conditions.
KBB values different categories of vehicles, including new and used. Besides, it uses a variety of tools to help you find the market value of a vehicle, including;
- Private party value
- Trade-in value
- Suggested retail value
- Certified pre-owned(CPO) value
In addition, The Kelly Blue Book website provides consumers with information about new cars, such as prices and specifications, to help them make informed decisions before purchasing a new vehicle.
Further, the platform hosts a comprehensive database of car reviews, buyer’s guides, service & repair guides, car recalls car finder, insurance, and credit information.
To get the market value of the car that you’re searching for, you can refine your search to include the following information.
- Condition
- Model
- Fuel economy
- Vehicle size
- Make
- Categories such as Sedan, SUV, and Truck
- Features such as navigation, leather seats, and parking assistant
Example of current Kelly Blue Book values for different vehicles
| Vehicle | Value |
|---|---|
| 2022 Kia Seltos | $23665 |
| 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime | $39220 |
| 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe | $28,385 |
| 2020 Volkswagen Jetta | $19,815 |
| 2020 Chelvrolet Sonic | $17,595 |
Other than valuation services, Kelly Blue Book also buys vehicles from individuals through no-obligation offers.
7. NADA
NADA Summary
- Access buyer and seller resources
- Get accurate car evaluation
- Car values are updated every month
- Trusted by dealers for car evaluation
NADA or National Automobile Dealers Association provides car buyers with information about how to buy different types of automobiles, including; SUVs, trucks, sedans, minivans, motorcycles, RV, boats, and family cars.
The company was founded in 1917 to provide reliable vehicle values for car owners, Insurance companies, lenders, and car dealers.
The website has a comprehensive database of car prices dating back to 1926. You can also access car price guides loaded with information about the latest cars, used cars, and trucks for sale in your area.
Further, there are also online tools while also providing resources and detailed specifications for over 800 brands of automobiles, including;
- Up-to-date safety ratings
- Fuel efficiency estimates
- Engine sizes by model
- Transmission types
- Vehicle history
- A free dealer price quote
Because they are experts in the automotive industry, you can access car articles to read, reviews, and car shopping guides.
8. Edmunds
Edmunds Summary
- Edmunds will buy a car directly from you
- Free car appraisal tool
- Offer is valid for 7 days
- Bring in your vehicle for inspection and get paid
Edmunds is an online car resource dealing with expert car reviews and vehicle information.
Edmunds can help you find out what your car is worth, but it does not stop there. With over 1 billion dollars of automotive data to their name, they can provide you with vital information to help you make informed decisions about your future vehicle purchase or trade-in.
The web-based platform has resources such as;
- New car pricing
- Car buying tools
- Best-rated cars by price
- Car comparison guides
- Best cars by category
- Comprehensive car reviews
They also offer different services, such as vehicle valuation based on the Kelley Blue Book value, which can be helpful if you’re considering selling your car.
In addition, the website has car buying tools, including a loan calculator, trade-in calculator, comparing cars, and lease deals.
You also get helpful tips and advice including;
- How to buy a used car
- How to lease a car
- A car comparison guide
- Car safety guide
When searching for the value of a new or used car, you can use parameters such as; make or model, type, and price.
9. Consumerreports
Consumerreports.org is a non-profit organization that provides unbiased information on products. You can use Consumer reports to find reviews about products and services, including cars, clothing, and food.
They also publish new research so you can stay up-to-date with what’s happening in the world of consumer goods.
With their car valuation tool, you can find out how much your used car is worth- and, more importantly, the trade-in value that it will get at any dealership.
You can also use the car value estimator tool to get the current market value for your car.
For example;
- To get started, you need to enter vital information about the car, including make, model, and year of manufacture.
- Next, provide vital information about the vehicle, including the mileage, condition, and extra features.
- After that, the system will generate your car’s value for trade-in or sale purposes.
The website also has guides on;
- How to sell your car
- Costs of trading in a car
- How to maximize your car’s appeal
10. Carfax
Carfax is one of the world’s most trusted vehicle history providers, with records on more than 190 million cars and trucks from the US and Europe.
To get a car history, you only need to search by VIN and get a detailed report.
Other than that, Carfax provides detailed valuation reports by analyzing the vehicle history data. Therefore, this gives credible information to car buyers, sellers, lenders, or leasing companies about vehicles.
Carfax considers the following attributes when generating a detailed vehicle history report:
- Salvage titles
- Estimated mileage
- The general condition of the vehicle
- Police reports, including inspection
- Registration history
- Any accidents
- Previous ownership
- Any recalls
A single report can cost you up to $30; however, there is a seven-day free trial for new members.
12. TrueCar.com
TrueCar Summary
- Enter VIN to instantly get a car estimate
- Offer is good for three days
- TrueCar pays through check
- Offer comes from one of Certified Dealers
TrueCar.com is a web-based automotive marketplace that enables individuals to shop for their favorite cars.
In addition, they have a nationwide network of certified car dealers where car owners can trade in their used vehicles in exchange for others.
They also work alongside top brands such as American Express and Sam’s Club to improve car buyers’ user experience.
The platform has price ratings for new and used cars. Hence, whether you want to buy, sell, or trade in your vehicle, you can get the current market value in less than 10 minutes.
TrueCar.com offers a comprehensive database of different car models, comparisons, reviews, and photos.
Here is how to get a quick estimate of your vehicle;
- You can start by providing your car’s information with parameters such as License plate, VIN, Make, Model, and State or city.
- In addition, you can narrow down your search to include other features such as color, mileage, and condition.
- After that, the system generates the true value of the car.
13. CarsDirect
CarsDirect Summary
- Lets you research used car prices to price your car fairly
- Connects you with Peddle to sell your car within 48 hours
- Provides lead generation and referral services to auto dealers
- The platform is free to use
CarsDirect is a US-based online portal that enables customers to get information about car values, insurance options, and vehicle financing.
The platform search results page has everything you need, including a Carfax report and check availability which directs users to car listings and a network of financing options. To access car values, reviews, photos, specs, and color, you only need to provide the make and model.
One of Carfax best features is that the search function is advanced, which simplifies the sorting process.
Beyond the car listings, the website also publishes resources for vehicle buyers, including comprehensive car reviews, how-to guides, news articles, loan calculators, and research.
How to Estimate Vehicle’s Value?
You can know your vehicle’s value by using reputable online valuation tools such as Kelly Blue Book. For an accurate value, you can fine-tune your search by providing information such as mileage, license plate, VIN, color, and year of manufacture.
Maximizing Your Car’s Value: Expert Tips and Tricks
To maximize your car’s value, start with regular maintenance, including oil changes and tire rotations, to ensure peak performance and prevent costly repairs.
Enhance its curb appeal by keeping it clean and addressing minor cosmetic issues, as first impressions can significantly influence a buyer’s decision.
Keep a detailed record of all service appointments and repairs to provide proof of proper care to potential buyers, boosting their confidence in the vehicle’s condition.
Lastly, consider professional detailing and minor upgrades like new floor mats or a high-quality wax job to make your car stand out in the market.
Understanding the Factors That Affect Car Valuation
Understanding car valuation involves considering various key factors.
Vehicle age is a primary determinant, as newer cars tend to retain more value than older ones due to their longer remaining lifespan and often more advanced technology.
Mileage also plays a crucial role, as higher mileage often indicates more wear and tear, potentially reducing the car’s value.
Additionally, the car’s make, model, and overall condition, including its service history and any modifications or damages, significantly influence its market value.
The Role of Market Trends in Car Valuation
Market trends play a crucial role in car valuation, as they reflect the current demand and popularity of specific vehicle models.
For instance, a rise in fuel prices can decrease the value of gas-guzzling SUVs, while increasing the worth of fuel-efficient cars.
Technological advancements and safety features can also sway car values; models with the latest tech tend to retain value longer.
Seasonal trends must be considered too, with convertibles being more sought-after in summer, which may temporarily boost their value.