In this guide
How much is my car worth? In short, it's what a buyer will pay for it today, and that comes down to its age, mileage, condition, history and how much demand there is for your model. The quickest way to get a realistic figure is a free online valuation using your registration and mileage, which you can then compare with prices for similar cars.
What's your car worth?
A free online valuation from webuyanycar takes seconds and is guaranteed for 4 days. There's no obligation to sell.
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How much is my car worth? The factors that set the price
Every valuation, whether it comes from a dealer, a car buying service or a private buyer, weighs the same factors. Some you can't change. Others you can improve in an afternoon.
| Factor | Why it matters | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Age | One of the biggest factors. Values fall fastest in the first few years. | Nothing, but timing your sale can help |
| Mileage | Judged against the car's age. High mileage for its age lowers the price. | Make sure the MOT mileage record is consistent |
| Condition | Dents, scuffs, kerbed alloys, stains and warning lights all cost money. | Clean it and fix cheap cosmetic faults |
| Service history | A full stamped or digital history reassures buyers. | Gather stamps, invoices and digital records |
| MOT | A long MOT means no immediate costs. Advisories hint at work ahead. | Consider an MOT if it's due soon |
| Spec and options | Popular trims and features such as parking sensors widen appeal. | List every option when you sell |
| Colour | Mainstream colours suit the most buyers. | Nothing |
| Number of keepers | Fewer keepers can suggest a cared-for car. | Nothing |
| Demand and season | Some cars sell better at certain times of year. | Time your sale if you can |
| History markers | Write-offs, outstanding finance or an import history reduce value or complicate a sale. | Know your car's history before a buyer checks |
| Keys | A missing spare key can lower offers. | Find both keys before you sell |
Mileage: is mine high or low?
UK cars cover around 7,000 to 7,500 miles a year on average, and our mileage check compares your car against 7,400. Divide your mileage by the car's age to see where you sit.
For example, a car first registered in October 2020 with 52,000 miles in October 2026 has averaged about 8,700 miles a year. That's a little above average and unlikely to worry most buyers. The same car with 90,000 miles has averaged 15,000 a year and will be priced as high-mileage.
What matters as much as the number is that the record adds up. The MOT history shows the mileage at every test, and a drop between tests is a red flag for clocking. Selling a car without disclosing known clocking is illegal, so check your record with our free MOT history check before a buyer does.
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MOT and service history
A valuation tool can't see inside your glovebox, so it makes assumptions. webuyanycar's online valuation, for example, assumes the car has at least six months' MOT left, a full service history, two sets of keys and no damage, unless you tell it otherwise. If your car falls short, the offer is adjusted at inspection, so it's better to declare it up front.
An MOT due within weeks often means a lower offer. If the car is likely to pass, a fresh MOT before you sell can be worth doing. You can book an MOT at a local garage, and the maximum fee for a car is £54.85.
Demand and the time of year
Demand shifts through the year. Convertibles tend to attract more interest in spring and summer, while four-wheel-drive cars often do better in autumn and winter. New registration plates arrive on 1 March and 1 September, traditionally the busiest months for new-car sales, which can mean more part-exchanged cars reaching the used market around then.
Where you live matters too. In London, a car that doesn't meet the ULEZ standards (Euro 4 for petrol, Euro 6 for diesel) costs £12.50 a day to drive in the zone, which can put off buyers there. Check yours with our ULEZ checker.
Electric cars and battery health
For an electric car, battery health is a big part of the value. Buyers want to know how much of the battery's original capacity remains, often called its state of health, and what real-world range to expect. If you can get a battery health report from a dealer or specialist, include it.
Also check whether any manufacturer battery warranty is still running, and make sure the charging cables go with the car.
Trade, private or part exchange: why your car has several prices
There isn't one price for your car. There are several, depending on who's buying and what they plan to do with it.
| Price type | Who pays it | Typical position | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail (forecourt) | A buyer at a dealer | Highest | Includes preparation, any warranty and the dealer's profit |
| Private sale | A private buyer | Below retail | No dealer costs, but more risk for the buyer |
| Part exchange | A dealer, against your next car | Usually below private | Often linked to the discount on your next car |
| Trade or car buying service | A dealer or car buying service | Usually below private | The buyer takes on the cost and risk of reselling |
The gap between trade and private prices is the price of convenience. A car buying service or part exchange is quick, certain and low-effort. A private sale usually gets more, but you do the work and take on risks such as payment fraud. Our guide to part exchange vs private sale vs car buying service compares the routes side by side.
How does a free car valuation work?
When you value your car online, the tool usually looks up your registration to identify the make, model, engine, age and often the trim. It combines that with your mileage and your answers about condition and history, then compares the car with current market data, including recent selling prices and demand for that model.
There are two kinds of result:
- Guide prices often give a range for trade, private and retail values. They're useful for research, but nobody is committed to paying them.
- Instant offers are what a buyer is prepared to pay, subject to inspection. webuyanycar's valuation is based on make, model, mileage, market demand and the condition and history you declare. It's guaranteed for four days, and the final price is confirmed after an inspection and short test drive at a branch.
The final offer can differ from the online figure if the inspection finds damage, a different mileage or history issues that weren't declared. Honest answers are the best way to get a car valuation you can rely on. Our free car valuation page explains how to get one.
What can lower the offer at inspection?
webuyanycar's online valuation assumes none of the following apply unless you say so, so any of them can lower the final offer:
- interior, exterior or mechanical damage
- a car that doesn't run
- less than six months' MOT left
- gaps in the service history
- one key instead of two
- an insurance write-off or accident damage in the car's history
- an imported car
- past use as a private hire, driving school or police car
- modifications
You can update these details after your online valuation, so the figure you take to the appointment is as close as possible to the final offer.
How to get the best price for your car
Small steps can make a real difference to the figure you're offered:
- Be accurate when you value the car. Surprises at inspection cost more than declaring a scratch up front.
- Gather your paperwork. Service history, receipts for major work and the V5C logbook all support your price. See the documents needed to sell a car.
- Find both keys and the locking wheel nut key.
- Fix the cheap things. Replace blown bulbs and worn wiper blades, and check the tyres, but don't spend big on repairs you won't get back.
- Clean it thoroughly, inside and out. A tidy car suggests a cared-for car.
- Time it well. Sell before the MOT runs out or a major service falls due, and consider the season for your type of car.
- Compare at least three figures: an instant offer, a part-exchange quote if you're buying, and private adverts for the same model, age and mileage.
- Decide about your private plate. If you want to keep it, apply to take it off the car before you sell; DVLA charges £80. Otherwise it goes with the car.
How quickly do cars lose value?
Depreciation is the difference between what you paid for a car and what it's worth now. Most cars lose value fastest in their first few years, and the rate slows as they get older.
How quickly a particular model depreciates depends on its reputation for reliability, its running costs, how many similar cars are for sale and how buyer tastes are moving, including between petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric. Mileage and condition then push an individual car above or below the typical figure for its model.
You can't stop depreciation, but timing helps. A car with a fresh MOT, a recent service and some warranty left is easier to sell than one with an MOT, a service and the end of its warranty all coming up at once.
Get your figure, then choose how to sell
Start with a free instant valuation, then check what buyers will see on your car's MOT history and mileage record. Compare the offer with private adverts for similar cars, and decide whether speed or price matters more to you.
If you want a quick sale, our guide on how to sell your car fast has a three-day plan. If the car still has finance on it, read about selling a car with outstanding finance before you accept any offer.
Selling your car?
Get a free instant valuation from webuyanycar, then sell at one of 500+ UK branches and get paid by bank transfer.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a free online car valuation accurate?
It's a reliable starting point if you enter accurate details. Instant valuations such as webuyanycar's assume things like no damage and a full service history unless you say otherwise, and the final price is confirmed when the car is inspected.
Do I have to give my contact details for a free valuation?
For an instant offer, usually yes. webuyanycar asks for your registration, mileage and contact details so it can send your valuation, and there's no obligation to sell.
Does the colour of my car affect its value?
It can. Popular, mainstream colours appeal to the most buyers, while an unusual colour can narrow demand for some models. Colour matters far less than age, mileage, condition and history, though.
How long is a car valuation valid?
Values move with demand, so most quotes come with a time limit. webuyanycar guarantees its online valuation for four days, subject to inspection, and you can get a fresh one free at any time.
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules and prices change, so check GOV.UK or the relevant provider before you act. Some links are affiliate links; see our affiliate disclosure.