What Is Your Car Worth?

When you think about selling your car, a lot of things come into play. Where you live, the type of car you have, and even if you plan on selling it privately or to a dealer can all affect the final worth of your vehicle. Use this guide to get the best value for your vehicle so you know just what it is really worth.

Compare other cars in your area

Visit your local auto dealers to see what your vehicle is worth compared to similar vehicles near the same condition, year, and mileage of your own car. This will give you a great idea as to what you can expect to get for your car in your own location. Keep in mind that if your vehicle is in great condition but has high mileage on it, it may be worth less than an older vehicle that has low miles. Write down all the dealer prices you see and take the average to get a rough estimate of what your own vehicle is worth. If you are trading in your vehicle, a basic idea of what dealers are charging to buy the same automobile can make haggling a fair price easier for you.

Consider the miles per gallon

With rising gas prices, gas guzzling vehicles such as trucks and SUVs often become lower in demand than smaller sedans or hybrid cars. If your vehicle gets less than stellar gas mileage, it may be considered less desirable to consumers when it comes to auto pricing. You can offset this by placing new tires on your vehicle or repairing the windshield if it has cracks or chips to make it more appealing to both dealers and private buyers.

Contact an auto buying service

An auto buying service will evaluate your vehicle and use their expertise to determine a great value for your car. If you already have dealer estimates of your vehicle's worth, you can compare what an auto buying service would offer you to see if you are getting a great deal. Sometimes this type of service is the best route to go since they pay cash upfront for your vehicle and you don't have to worry about haggling or waiting for an interested buyer.

Whether you want to sell your car to a private party or you wish to trade it in at a local dealership, you should know what your car is worth. An auto pricing service like PureAutoPrice.com can give you a great estimate on your car's real value, and you can check out similar cars for sale in your area to learn just what to expect from selling your car.