How Much Is Your Car Worth? How To Set A Price

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Auto Trader NZ
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Published 21 June 2024

Wondering how much your car is worth? It’s a common question, and luckily, figuring it out isn’t too tricky. Here’s a simple guide to help you out.

Assess Your Car

First off, take a good look at your car. Note its make, model, year, mileage, and overall condition. Be honest with yourself—if it has a few dings and scratches or a quirky engine noise, that’s going to impact its value.

Top Tip: If you do not know the details of your car, you can enter your number plate on ThatCarNZ.

 Where Do I Research?

Next, hop online. Websites such as AutoTrader and Facebook Marketplace are great places to start. Just plug in your car’s details, and they’ll give you a ballpark figure. Remember, these values can vary, so it’s good to check a few different sources to get an accurate average price.

Top Tip: Try to find your exact model and spec of the vehicle for sale to ascertain the most accurate value.

How To Calculate The Value Of Your Car

When searching for your car, remember the following key factors which have a major impact on the value of your car.

  • What is your car’s mileage? Match the mileage of your car to the price on AutoTrader.
    • If your vehicle has lower km than the majority on AutoTrader, your car should fetch a higher price.
    • If your vehicle has higher km, it would usually fetch a lower price point.
  • What is the condition of your car? Be honest—if your car is below or above the condition of the examples on AutoTrader, adjust your price accordingly.
    • If your vehicle is in above-average condition, with little to no imperfections, it could fetch a higher price.
    • If your vehicle is in below-average condition, your car may be worth less than the average.
  • Does your vehicle have a service history? Service history makes a difference to price. Consistent service records can increase the price slightly.
    • A vehicle with a full-service history, especially through a reputable garage or service centre, will usually fetch a higher price.
    • A vehicle that offers no service history or no mechanical warranty will be worth less than cars that do have a service history.

Top Tip: If your car has special features or modifications, consider these when comparing prices.

Want to Get A Professional Opinion?

If you want a more professional opinion, you can always get an appraisal from a dealership or a certified appraiser such as NZ Vehicle Valuations. A car dealership might offer you a trade-in value, which can be handy if you’re thinking of upgrading your vehicle.

Top Tip: Sometimes a trade-in value from a dealer is less than the car’s market value that you would get from a private sale.

Best of luck!

Looking to sell your car? Click on the link below to list your car on AutoTrader.