How We Value Your Car

What Is My Car Worth

Your car is worth what a real buyer will pay for your exact car, in its current condition, in the current market.

That sounds simple, but it explains why online estimates can be all over the place. Some tools assume average condition. Some ignore kilometres. Some use old data. Some show private sale prices, which are not the same as a buy it today offer.

A useful car value estimate needs to match your car, not just the badge and the year.

Why Car Valuations Can Vary So Much

You Might Be Comparing The Wrong Price Type

Private sale, dealer trade in, and an instant buyer offer are different markets.

Private sale can be higher because you are selling direct, but you carry the time, the inspections, the negotiation, and the risk of the deal falling over.

Trade in value is often lower because the dealer needs margin and reconditioning room, and the final number is usually shaped by the deal on the next car.

An instant offer is built around speed and certainty. It is based on what the car can realistically sell for in the wholesale market, minus the real costs to get it moved and ready.

If you compare different price types, the numbers will not line up.

Condition Assumptions Change Everything

Most online valuation tools cannot see your paint, tyres, interior, warning lights, or service history. They guess. That is why the range can be wide. If you want a clearer idea of what a buyer will pay, it helps to know how our car buying service works and what details we use to price it accurately.

The Market Moves

Demand changes over time. Certain models get hot, then cool off. Even small shifts in buyer demand can move values. It also helps to understand the difference between car market value and car market price and how depreciation works over time.

Your Exact Vehicle Details

Two cars that look the same to most people can be very different in value. We start broad, then get specific.

• Make, model, and year
• Series and variant
• Engine and transmission
• Body type
• Registration status
• Options and upgrades

A higher spec variant can be worth more than a base model even if the year is the same.

Kilometres And How The Car Has Been Used

Kilometres matter because they influence wear and buyer demand. Low kilometres do not automatically mean top dollar, and higher kilometres do not automatically mean your car is worth nothing.

We look at kilometres in context, and we factor in how the car has been treated and maintained.

Condition Inside And Out

This is where a lot of value is won or lost.

• Paint condition, scratches, dents, fading
• Hail damage or sun damage
• Windscreen chips and lights
• Tyres and brakes
• Interior wear, stains, tears, odours
• Mechanical condition, oil leaks, noises, warning lights

If you want a more accurate estimate, honesty helps. It speeds everything up and it prevents surprises.

Service History And Ownership Story

Service history can lift buyer confidence and reduce the risk of hidden issues.

• Logbook servicing and receipts if you have them
• Recent major work like timing belt, clutch, suspension
• How long you have owned the car
• Whether it has been used for delivery, ride share, towing, or heavy work

You do not need a perfect folder of paperwork for your car to have value. Strong history just makes the value easier to defend.

Desirability And Market Demand

This is a real world factor that most valuation tools miss.

Even within the same model, buyers prefer certain combinations. Colour, trim, and features can change demand and resale speed.

For example, a gold car with beige trim and no sunroof can land in a different market to a black car with black trim and a sunroof. Both can be good cars. But one may have broader demand and sell quicker, which affects what a buyer can pay today.

Desirability can be influenced by:

• Colour and interior combination
• Sunroof and premium options
• Technology packages
• Popular trims and special editions
• Ute and four wheel drive configurations buyers chase

Advertised Prices Versus Real Selling Prices

When we check advertised prices, we treat listings as a guide, not the truth. A car can be listed for 38,000 for months and never sell at that number.

So we focus on the sharp end of the market, usually the cheapest comparable examples that match your cars year, variant, kilometres, and condition. Those are typically the listings that set the real selling range, because they are the ones buyers actually enquire on.

Higher priced ads can still be useful context, but they often reflect unrealistic expectations, added accessories the market does not pay for, or a seller who is happy to wait.

If you have seen one advertised high, that does not mean your car is not worth good money. It just means we want your valuation to reflect what buyers are paying, not what some sellers are hoping for.

Transport And Logistics Costs

Location can matter, even for the same car.

If the vehicle is further away, transport is a real cost, not a made up fee. We factor in things like:

• Distance and pickup complexity
• Whether the car is drivable
• Access for a truck or trailer
• Timing and availability

This is one reason two similar cars can attract different offers in different areas. It is about the real cost to move the vehicle reliably.

Reconditioning And Preparation

Most cars need some level of preparation before they are ready for the next buyer. Sometimes it is simple. Sometimes it is not.

We allow for practical items such as:

• Basic detailing
• Minor repairs
• Tyres, brakes, battery
• Mechanical checks
• Time and labour

If your car needs nothing, great. If it needs a few things, we account for it so the offer stays realistic.

Finance Owing And Payout Steps

If there is finance owing , the car can still be sold, but the payout must be handled correctly. Having the lender details ready is one of the best ways to speed the process up.

Quick Ways To Improve What Your Car Is Worth

If you want to lift your cars value, focus on changes that improve buyer confidence.

• Give it a proper wash and vacuum
• Remove rubbish and personal items
• Fix small obvious issues like blown globes, and if you are in Queensland make sure your roadworthy certificate is sorted if it applies to your situation (not required to sell to a licensed dealer).
• Gather service history and spare keys
• Be clear about known faults upfront

Avoid spending big money chasing perfection. Small confidence boosts often do more than expensive repairs.

If You Just Want A Car Valuation Estimate

If you are not ready to sell today, you can still get a useful estimate by doing two things:

1. Compare your car to similar vehicles in similar condition, not just the same model
2. Be realistic about the price type you are comparing, private sale versus trade in versus instant buyer offer

A realistic estimate is more useful than a flattering one.

If You Are Ready To Sell Your Car

If you are ready to sell, the fastest path to a real number is to send your details and describe the condition honestly.