How much is my car worth? A plain-English UK guide

It sounds like a simple question, yet three websites can give you three very different answers. That is not because two of them are wrong. Your car has several values depending on who is buying it. Once you understand which one applies to you, getting an accurate figure is quick and free.

Your car has three values, not one

• Private sale value: what another motorist would pay you. Usually the highest figure, but you handle the advert, viewings and paperwork.
• Part-exchange value: what a dealer allows against your next car. Lower than private, but convenient, and sometimes boosted by deals on the new car.
• Instant-buy or trade value: what online buyers and auction platforms pay for a quick, hassle-free sale. Typically the lowest, because the buyer needs to resell at a profit.

On a typical £8,000 car, the gap between the private and instant-buy figures can easily be £1,200 to £2,000. Our comparison of the three routes explains which suits which situation.

What actually decides the price

Make, model, engine and trim

The starting point. Popular, reliable models with sensible engines hold their value best. A higher trim with desirable equipment such as parking sensors, a reversing camera or Apple CarPlay helps, while unusual colours or niche engines can narrow the pool of buyers.

Age and mileage

The UK average is roughly 7,400 miles a year. Well above that and the value falls, noticeably so once a car passes 100,000 miles. Well below can add a premium, provided the car has been used regularly enough to stay healthy.

Condition

Dents, scuffed alloys, worn tyres, stained seats and warning lights all reduce offers, often by more than the repair would cost. Small cosmetic fixes before selling frequently pay for themselves.

Service and MOT history

A full service history, two keys and a long MOT are reassuring for buyers. The MOT history is public, so buyers and dealers can see past advisories and recorded mileages. See our MOT history guide for what they look for.

Number of owners and fuel type

Fewer owners generally means a higher value. Fuel type matters too: petrol hybrids are in strong demand, while older diesels have softened in areas with clean air zones.

The market right now

Used car prices move with supply and demand, seasons and plate changes. The same car can be worth a few hundred pounds more in spring than in December. Read more in our guide to the best time to sell.

Why online quotes often drop at inspection

Many instant-buy sites show an attractive headline figure that assumes the car is in excellent condition. At the inspection, deductions are made for every chip, scratch, missing service stamp or absent spare key. It is common for the final offer to be several hundred pounds lower.

The best protection is to describe the condition honestly from the start and compare several buyers. That is exactly why moValue shows estimates from the main UK buyers side by side, adjusted for the condition you select.

How to get an accurate valuation in four steps

1. Use your registration. It pulls the exact model, engine and MOT history from official records, so there is no guessing the trim.
2. Enter the real mileage. Check the dashboard rather than estimating.
3. Be honest about condition. Picking excellent when the car is good only sets you up for disappointment later.
4. Compare all three values. Then decide whether you want the most money or the least hassle.

How to add value before you sell

• Have it professionally valeted, or spend an afternoon cleaning inside and out.
• Fix small cosmetic issues such as kerbed alloys and minor scuffs.
• Gather the V5C logbook, service book, receipts and both keys.
• Consider getting the MOT done if it is due within a couple of months.
• Take clear photos in daylight if you are selling privately.

Frequently asked questions