What is my car worth? UK car values explained

"What's my car worth?" sounds like it should have one answer. In reality, a used car has several prices at the same time, and which one you're looking at makes a big difference. Once you know how they fit together, it's much easier to set a fair asking price, judge an offer or spot a good deal.

Your car has three prices, not one

1. Part-exchange (trade-in) value
What a dealer is likely to allow for your car against another one. It's usually the lowest figure, because the dealer has to prepare the car, may add a warranty, and takes the risk of it not selling quickly.

2. Private-sale value
What another person is likely to pay you if you sell it yourself. Usually higher than part-exchange, but you do the work: adverts, viewings, test drives and taking payment safely.

3. Dealer retail value
What the same car would typically be advertised for on a forecourt. Usually the highest, because it often includes preparation, a warranty and the extra consumer rights you get when buying from a business.

A lot of disappointment comes from mixing these up. If you see similar cars on dealer forecourts and then get a part-exchange offer, the gap can feel unfair, but you're comparing two different things. Compare like with like.

A free Valu8 valuation shows all three as estimates for your reg and mileage, so you can see where your car sits.

What moves your car's value

Age and mileage. These are the big two. What matters is mileage for the car's age: higher-than-usual miles generally bring the value down, and genuinely low miles can push it up.

Condition. Scuffs, dents, kerbed wheels, worn interiors and warning lights all knock the price. A tidy, well-kept car stands out.

Service history. A full, documented history with invoices reassures buyers and tends to be worth paying for. Gaps raise questions.

MOT history. Buyers can check every past MOT for free on GOV.UK, including failures, advisories and recorded mileage. A clean record with mileage that rises steadily helps; repeat advisories or a mileage drop hurt.

Specification. Engine, trim and gearbox matter, as do options people actually look for. Performance versions can be worth a lot more than standard ones.

Demand and timing. Some models are simply more popular, and demand can shift with the season and local market.

Running costs. Things like vehicle tax and whether a car is compliant with clean air zones can affect what buyers will pay.

Why different valuation sites give different numbers

Valuation tools use different data and methods. Some lean on advertised prices, some on trade data, some on a mix. Advertised prices are asking prices, not final sale prices, so they show where the market starts rather than where every deal ends.

That's why any online figure should be treated as an estimate, not a promise. Valu8 is upfront about this: our prices are estimated from comparable UK adverts in our database, adjusted for your car's age and mileage, and each report shows a confidence level and how the figure was built. You can read more on our accuracy page.

How to get a realistic number

1. Use your exact details. Enter your reg and accurate mileage, and add your trim if it's a higher-spec or performance version.
2. Be honest about condition. Adding a few photos to a Valu8 valuation lets us flag visible wear or selling points that can move the price.
3. Check your own MOT history. Know what buyers will see before they ask.
4. Look at similar cars for sale near you. Same model, year, trim and similar mileage, and note whether they're private or dealer adverts.
5. Decide which price you need. Selling privately? Focus on the private-sale estimate. Trading in? Focus on part-exchange, and compare the whole deal.

Turning a value into an asking price

If you're selling privately, set your asking price a little above the figure you'd be happy with, so there's room to negotiate. A Valu8 report includes a suggested asking price, a negotiation buffer and a ready-to-post advert to get you started.

Not sure whether to sell privately or trade in? See our guide to part-exchange vs private sale. Selling yourself? Read how to sell a car privately and safely first.

Looking up a particular model?

Our car values by model pages cover popular UK cars, from the Ford Fiesta to the Nissan Qashqai, and are a quick way to get a feel for a model before you value a specific car.

FAQs

Is an online car valuation accurate?
It's an estimate. A good one uses real market data and your car's details, but the final price depends on condition, spec, location, timing and negotiation. Treat it as a well-informed starting point.

Why is my part-exchange value lower than the price of similar cars for sale?
Forecourt prices are dealer retail prices. They include preparation, often a warranty and the dealer's costs and margin. Your part-exchange value reflects what the dealer can pay before all of that.

Does mileage or age matter more?
Both matter, and they're judged together. A car with high mileage for its age will usually be worth less than the same car with typical miles.

Is a Valu8 valuation free?
The valuation (Essentials) is free. The Full seller report is a one-off £2.99 — no subscription. Pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Want to know what your car's worth? Get your free Valu8 valuation – estimated private-sale, part-exchange and dealer prices from your reg.