Finding the right car: Autotrader's advert features explained

Figuring out whether a used car is fairly priced can be tricky, especially with so many similar options out there. Comparing them all takes time, but we’re here to help. The Autotrader team has packed its adverts with key features and insights, so you can easily compare prices, spot great deals, and find the right car with confidence.

Jump to:

• Price Indicator
• Overview​
• Vehicle Highlights
• Specifications​
• Running Costs​
  
• ​Vehicle Check​
• ​Meet the seller​

Price Indicator

Our Price Label is a colour-coded system designed to help you quickly and easily compare the price of a car to similar cars for sale on the market.

We value each car daily to make sure our Price Labels are a true reflection of current market prices. We then give each car a price rating based on how the seller’s asking price compares to our Autotrader valuation.

How is a price label calculated?

We take the seller’s asking price and compare it to our Autotrader valuation to determine if it’s a great, good, fair, low or high price.

Our Autotrader valuations are calculated using a complex algorithm that takes into account millions of data points including a car’s make, model, age, mileage, specification and optional extras. We update our valuations daily, combining data from over half a million adverts on our site, over 3,500 dealer websites, plus the latest prices from major car auctions, ex-fleet and leasing cars.

Everyone’s car-buying needs are different, so we also highlight the below elements in other areas of the advert. They don’t influence our valuations, but they could be important to you:

• Vehicle location
• Dealer reputation & service
• Warranties
• Service history
• Number of owners
• Vehicle condition

What are the different price ratings?

There are five price ratings ranging from Low to High. We suggest you pay particular attention to adverts with Low or High price labels as there is often more information to help you identify why this might be.

• Great: These cars are priced slightly below market compared to similar cars for sale. A "Great Price" means it's cheap but always ask why – are they trying to clear stock, or is there hidden damage?
• Good: These cars are priced similar to the market price so you can be confident you won’t be overpaying.
• Fair: These cars are priced slightly above market which means there may be other factors to consider (e.g. warranties, full-service history, extra features) which our valuations don’t consider. Check the advert for this info.
• Low: These cars are priced much lower than the market price which often suggests the seller is looking to sell the car quickly or there is a defect to consider. Check the description carefully.
• High: These cars are priced above market. A "High Price" isn't always bad; it often means the car has rare optional extras (like leather seats or an upgraded tech pack) that the automatic gauge can't read.

Should I avoid ‘High Price’ cars?

Overview

Key features

The quick-glance box shows mileage, registration, gearbox (manual/auto), body type, engine size, emission class, and fuel type amongst other things. There are a couple of things to look out for here.

• Mileage vs. age: The UK average is roughly 10,000 miles per year. If a 3-year-old car has 60,000 miles, it’s been heavily used (likely motorway miles). If it has 5,000 miles, it may have been sat around a lot, which can cause its own mechanical issues (like flat batteries or seized brakes).
• Previous owners: The number of previous owners can impact the price of a car. You can expect a car that’s had seven previous owners to cost a lot less than exactly the same car but with one previous owner.

This information can often be found in the Overview and Description sections of the advert.

Vehicle Highlights: Making search simpler on Autotrader

Vehicle Highlights uses AI, along with customer insights, data from car dealers, and our own Autotrader data to compare thousands of cars of similar:

• age
• fuel type
• body type
• engine size

Developed by Autotrader’s in-house team of over 400 data scientists and engineers, this AI search feature surfaces the most relevant details in an advert – which means you don’t have to dig through specifications to see why a car might be the right fit.

• AI-powered insights: Powered by AI, Vehicle Highlights analyses each car’s standout features and pinpoints what matters most to you, whether that’s advanced safety systems, premium technology, or fuel efficiency.
• Time savers: Instead of scrolling through endless listings or keeping track of details manually, Vehicle Highlights makes your search simpler, helping you identify key features at a glance and make a more informed decision.
• Smart comparisons: By comparing thousands of similar cars based on factors like age, fuel type, body style, and engine size, Vehicle Highlights automatically identifies what makes a specific car stand out.

Specifications

If you’ve ever bought a brand-new car for the first time, you’ll know it’s not a simple case of choosing the make and model you want – there are many specifications to consider. This is where it gets down to the finer details and helps you choose between a car that ‘will do’ vs. ‘the perfect car’ that meets all your needs and more.

In general, vehicles with a higher spec often cost more as they’ll have higher performance spec, better quality interior and exterior, and the best in-market safety features. You can find details such as the performance figures, size and dimensions of the model within the advert itself so that you don't have to look elsewhere.

Extra features

Extra features are often what makes a vehicle stand out from the rest. These are the optional extras the very first owner selected when the vehicle was built which often makes it more unique in comparison to others. Think bespoke interiors, luxury heated seats, built-in sat-navs, parking assistance and more.

These vehicles are often rated a ‘high price’ but are worth considering if these factors are important to you. If you want something special, it usually comes with the price tag to go with it.

Running costs

Our Running Costs section helps you estimate key expenses before you buy.

• ULEZ / Clean Air Zone status: Look for a clear indicator saying "ULEZ Compliant" or "Clean Air Zone Exempt." If you drive into London, Bristol, Birmingham, or other major UK cities, a non-compliant car will cost you a hefty daily fee. Never guess this based on the fuel type; look for the verified badge.
• Car tax: This is calculated based on the vehicle’s first registration date, fuel type, and CO₂ emissions. Diesel cars generally incur higher tax costs than petrol models, while hybrids and electric vehicles benefit from lower rates due to their reduced emissions. If the list price of a car exceeds £40,000, an additional £410 is payable from the second year for up to five years.
• Insurance group (1 to 50): These vary depending on the car’s insurance group, which ranges from 1 to 50 based on factors such as size, value, and repair costs. The lower the number, the cheaper the insurance. If you are a young or new driver, stick to groups 1–10. You can also compare quotes directly on Autotrader to get the best deal.
• Fuel efficiency: This is another crucial factor, with miles per gallon (MPG) figures provided for urban driving (towns and cities), extra-urban (A-roads and mixed driving), and overall combined MPG. These figures offer a useful benchmark but remember it’ll vary based on driving habits and conditions.

Just note the data displayed reflects the usual specifications of the latest model and may be different for older versions. Always check with the seller for precise details before purchasing.

Vehicle Check

Most of our adverts have at least a Basic Check automatically run. This checks to see whether the vehicle has been recorded as stolen, scrapped, imported, exported or written-off.

Some dealers advertise cars with a full history check, carrying out 27 different checks against the car, including outstanding finance, plate changes, and mileage discrepancies.

Look for the breakdown:

• Outstanding Finance: If it says "Yes," the dealer must prove they have cleared it before you hand over any money. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company legally owns it, not you.
• Stolen / Scrapped: Ensure these are marked as clear.
• Write-Off Category (Cat S / Cat N): If the car has been in a major accident, it will be flagged here.
• Cat N (Non-structural): Cosmetic or electrical damage.
• Cat S (Structural): The frame of the car was bent or broken.
• Buyer Advice: Unless you really know what you are doing, avoid structural write-offs, as they can be incredibly difficult and expensive to insure.

Service history

Meet the seller

Here’s where you can learn more about the dealership selling the car. We include their contact details, links to their site and profile on Autotrader, plus recent reviews and any awards they’ve won so you can get a full picture of them and shop in confidence.

We also include delivery and collection options here, so don’t rule a car out just because it isn’t local.

There’s a lot to think about when you’re buying a car, but we’ve packed our adverts with as much information and guidance as we can so you’re making the best choice for you. We’re always upgrading the experience too, so check back for new features that make life that bit easier.

Ready to get started? Find my car​