Whether you are a car buyer or seller, identifying its value gives you a massive advantage in the buying/selling process. Market research is required to know the exact vehicle value, even though you may know the issues that affect its value. A free car valuation tool is an excellent start to determine the worth of your car, but you should know its limitations.
These tools usually compare age, make, and model with the most recent market price. They may not factor in the specific trim level, mileage, options, and depreciation.
We have detailed below how a free car valuation tool differs from a paid premium tool. It will allow you to choose the one that best suits your needs. Besides, understand that a car price check is a part of car valuation check, which is not free. Hence, you do not have to dread any limitations that a free car valuation tool comes with.
What are the factors determining the free car value?
CO2 emissions
Cars which produce less than 75g/km of Carbon dioxide and go 20 miles on electric power will receive a full refund. On the other hand, people who commute in the London Congestion Zone receive a CO2-related incentive. When browsing classified sites, you’ll discover that many older Jaguars and BMWs are available for a low price.
Age
Of course, this is not to recommend that your vehicle’s age will not impact its worth; it will, but it is something you cannot influence. We occasionally see new model releases of autos with just aesthetic changes and the same infotainment systems.
The latest models give the same tech experience as your older car; age may only impact your worth a little.
The initial price of the car
A four-year-old auto with a brand-new original retail price of £40,000 will beat a car that cost £20,000 during the period. A used vehicle’s value is usually proportional to its purchase price.
Mileage
Mileage is a significant predictor of your vehicle’s worth since it shows how much life remains in the car, not just the motor.
Low-mileage cars often sell for 20-30% more than similar vehicles with higher mileage.
Engine type
Diesel car values have dropped in recent years. However, they have recovered slightly in recent years, with Euro-6 diesel sales still famous for more oversized vehicles – particularly older-style SUVs and vans.
Despite this, selling your diesel might be a good idea since electric cars will be prevalent in years to come, and diesel prices will inevitably fall as new diesel and petrol cars are banned in 2030.
Condition
The more valuable the car, the more critical the condition is to buyers. At £1000, used car buyers don’t expect much.
But, they expect a lot more when they push into the $3000-£5000 range. Don’t lower your standards.
Model & color
Odd-coloured and unwanted cars are harder to sell, so their price is reduced. A Ford Focus in a neutral shade like black on the used market will fetch top dollar with a 1.8 turbo diesel engine.
Typically, a Ford Focus Estate with a 1.4 petrol engine, high mileage and color-like burgundy will be worth 15-30% less than the popular equivalent.
Where do you value it?
Depending on where you value it, your car might be worth £800 to a dealer and worth £1000 to an eBay user. However, the dealers are middlemen offering low prices, while eBay buyers are end-users who usually pay a little more. Thus, remember all these notations and check car prices through car valuation.
Free car valuation vs Premium car valuation
There are two primary tools to check the value of a car: free and paid.
A car gets Category-S when the insurer deems the repairs it needs are not worth its current market value. The vehicle can come on the road after the necessary refurbishment and re-registration with the DVLA.
Similar is the case with Category-N cars, which can perform driving duties after proper repairs without re-registration.
As our valuations are based on the mileage and other critical factors we have discussed above, we provide price estimates of cat N and cat S cars.
However, due to various potential variables involved in evaluating written-off vehicles, the valuation might not be as accurate as we provide for non-accidental cars. A rule of thumb is that repaired-worthy written-off vehicles are worth between 10% and 30% below the normal ones.
Our car valuation provides the most accurate and reliable outcomes. It will be included in our premium check that costs £ 9.95 per check, but we give you more information than any other car valuation provider. If you’re looking for a used car value, look no further than our car valuation check.
A free car valuation tool also has its limitations when it comes to valuation bands. It usually offers only a two-band estimate. But there are few are giving 5 bands valuation for free Check Car Value is one of good free valuation provider in UK.
Private:
A free car valuation tool calculates keeping in view some- or full service history, some or no mechanical problems, good bodywork, and a respectable amount of MOT left on the vehicle.
Dealer:
The expected dealer price is low since they offer a warranty on major mechanical issues. The dealer’s cars also have no bodywork or paint issues.
On the other hand, a paid valuation tool offers at least three estimates, including private sale price, independent dealer price, and franchise dealer price. With Car Analytics, this gets even better as we offer a 5-band valuation, i.e., the price for Dealer Forecourt, Trade Retail, Private Clean, Private Average, Part Exchange, Auction, Trade Average, and Trade Poor.
Apart from this, there is a big change between the databases of both free and paid valuation tools. A premium tool “combines data from car advertisements, dealer websites, auction sites as well as takes into account ex-fleet and leasing vehicle values.” Moreover, it considers dealer transactions, depreciation costs for specific vehicles, and consumer information to get the actual selling price of different cars.
Bear in mind, just adding the exact mileage and options can affect the price of the vehicle by 30%. Therefore, if you want to vend your car at an excellent price, you better opt for the paid valuation. Set your vehicle’s value according to our estimates, and you will have no remorse.
Can you do valuations for Cat N and Cat S cars?
A car gets Category-S when the insurer deems the repairs it needs are not worth its current market value. The vehicle can come on the road after the necessary refurbishment and re-registration with the DVLA. Similar is the case with Category-N cars, which can perform driving duties after proper repairs without re-registration.
As our valuations are based on the mileage and other critical factors discussed above, we provide price estimates for Cat N and Cat S cars. However, the valuation might not be as accurate as we provide for non-accidental cars due to various potential variables involved in evaluating written-off vehicles. A rule of thumb is that the repair-worthy written-off cars are worth 10% and 30% below the normal ones.
Does car service history impact the car value?
There’s always the assumption that a vehicle isn’t adequately maintained without a service record. Although any history is essential, service history can make less of a difference as it grows older and its value declines based on the motor’s mileage and condition. It’s also important to consider what service isn’t documented (for example, a small or significant kindness) and how valuable the auto is due to its brand and kind.
For example, a five-year-old gasoline city car will always find buyers since such vehicles are in high demand. A lack of service records will only have a minor impact on its value, while a car with a complete service history will be worth more than one with none at all.
Conclusion
A car valuation tool will best determine your car’s worth, value, or range before selling or buying. There are various points to be noted while searching for answers on a car’s value. You can find free and paid tests at Car analytics that can act according to your need and desire for the vehicle.
