Car Valuation Guide + Checklist
Unless you work in the trade, gauging an idea of your vehicle’s worth can be pretty hard to nail on the head and while you can use an online estimator, there are still a few underlying factors that are not taken into consideration. While the best way to receive an accurate car valuation is through a professional, there’s no stopping us giving you a heads up on what to look for that can make your car worth just that little bit more.
Discover our tips in this handy car valuation guide and checklist so that you’re prepared to ask questions when it comes time to discover the worth of your car.
Car Valuation Guide
If you’ve come this far, you’ve obviously decided that keeping your car until you drive it into the ground isn’t for you. However, have you considered trading in your vehicle to a dealer or selling it privately? Have you truly considered how much your car is worth?
Trading your vehicle into a dealership has plenty of perks such as convenient disposal of your now-old vehicle, no stressing about funding ads or if the private buyers cheque will clear, and it can even act as a down payment for your brand new ride. You also wouldn’t have to worry about writing an ad, meeting with prospective buyers and dealing with hagglers. Selling to a dealership is essentially your hassle-free option. The downfall, however, is that they will offer you 10-20% less than what they will resell it for, which again, is where it becomes important that you know the worth of your vehicle.
Another important factor is to know what fits your budget. Yes, you may get a few grand off your new car by trading in your old one, but it’s still going to cost you a pretty penny. When working with a dealership, salesmen will always try to upsell fancy additions and features that you may not necessarily want or need. If your new vehicle is just to drive to work in the city, a small 1-1.8L car would be all you need, so don’t let them talk you into purchasing a four-wheel drive or SUV because of better boot space – it’ll cost you more upfront and in the long run with more expensive registration and insurance fees, fuel and tyres! Additionally, is Apple CarPlay and a reversing camera really more important than better fuel consumption and safety features?
If you believe you’re ready to upgrade your ride, the following checklist can help you determine what factors affect the valuation of your vehicle.
Car Valuation Checklist
Now that you’ve definitely determined selling your vehicle is the right choice, it’s time to consider what is going to affect the value. The obvious factors are condition, mileage, luxury features and aftermarket items, but did you know that even the colour of your vehicle can add some extra dollars to its worth? Let’s explore the main contributors to your car’s value…
Age
The value of your vehicle is continually depreciating, right? Wrong!
While this is definitely true for most cars, vintage and classic cars are an exception. If you drive a Holden Barina, chances are that your car is losing value every second, however, an old Ford Mustang or Chevy Bel Air could be gaining worth right as you’re reading this. Discontinued cars, depending on the make and model (as explored below), may also increase in value as they get older.
Speak to someone at Brisbane Mobile Roadworthy today to find out where your car falls into the old/new age bracket value!
Make & Model
Sticking with the classic Aussie brands is a safe choice as popular makes and models tend to hold their value over time and are strong sellers in the second-hand market.
Transmission
Automatics have a slightly higher value than manuals when brand new and when used! The exception here is for some sports, off-road or classic cars, a manual transmission may be worth more.
Mileage
It should go without saying, but greater mileage means more wear and tear on the vehicle. Fewer kilometres when compared to a similar vehicle could increase the value of your vehicle.
Condition
Proof of regular maintenance and servicing shows a car well cared for, which by itself can increase its face value. In addition, a vehicle’s interior and exterior condition can fetch a higher price if well looked after. Things like smoking, scratches (both interior and exterior) can decrease your vehicle’s value.
Aftermarket Items
Aftermarket additions such as sound systems, security features, bull bars, snorkels, chrome wheels, and safety technology may be great for you, but singularly they may not add much value to your car. Mix a few together and you might see an increase in the vehicle’s value.
Luxury Features
Do you have non-standard features in your car such as heated seats, automatic headlights and an inbuilt GPS? This can help you get more for your vehicle.
Colour
If you’ve got a generic coloured car such as grey, white or black – good news, you’ve got a fast seller on your hands! However, bold, non-traditional colours can sometimes fetch a higher price, particularly for sports cars.
History
Buyer’s will favour vehicle’s with a clear history, meaning it’s never been written off or had serious panel repairs carried out.
Contact us
While there are many free online tools that can create an estimate, these do not tend to consider all of the variables. By obtaining a professional car valuation estimate with Brisbane Mobile Roadworthy, we can discover a car’s value in minutes, working with anything from your typical Holden or Ford, luxury Audi or BMW, supercar Lamborghini or Ferrari and classic Cadillac or Chevrolet.
Discover what your next car should cost or the market value of the vehicle you’re trying to sell with Brisbane Mobile Roadworthy car valuation services. Contact us today for a quick and easy insight into the pricing information for your used car.
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