Advice
How much can I sell my car for? (2025 update)
Want to know how much will my car sell for? Find out what your car is really worth - join the millions who value their car with Autotrader for a free, accurate valuation.
Words by: Andrew Woodhouse
Last updated on 5 October 2023 | 0 min read
Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply curious, knowing the true value of your car is essential. A professional car valuation tells you what your vehicle is worth in today’s market, helping you negotiate confidently and make smarter financial decisions.
At Autotrader, we’ve helped millions of people discover the real worth of their cars with free, accurate, and data-driven valuations.
At Autotrader, we’ve helped millions of people discover the real worth of their cars with free, accurate, and data-driven valuations.
What is my car worth?
The used car market has changed a lot in recent years. After record-high prices during the pandemic, supply and demand are now beginning to stabilise. While values aren’t climbing at the same pace they once were, many cars are still holding their worth better than before 2020, especially well-maintained models with strong service histories.
This means your car could still be worth more than you expect, even if prices have cooled slightly compared to their peak. Whether you’re selling, trading in, or just curious, getting an up-to-date valuation is the best way to understand your car’s true market value today. With Autotrader, you can get a valuation in minutes and it's completely free.
This means your car could still be worth more than you expect, even if prices have cooled slightly compared to their peak. Whether you’re selling, trading in, or just curious, getting an up-to-date valuation is the best way to understand your car’s true market value today. With Autotrader, you can get a valuation in minutes and it's completely free.
What is a car valuation?
A car valuation is an informed estimate of your vehicle’s market worth, based on a number of factors including:
• Age and mileage • Overall condition • Service history and MOT status • Optional extras and specifications • Wider market demand At Autotrader, our valuations are powered by: • Over 800,000 live adverts from trusted sources • Pricing data from 3,500+ dealer websites • Major car auction results • Ex-fleet and leasing vehicle values It's a lot of data, but it helps make sure your valuation is up-to-date, independent, and reflects real market conditions.
• Age and mileage • Overall condition • Service history and MOT status • Optional extras and specifications • Wider market demand At Autotrader, our valuations are powered by: • Over 800,000 live adverts from trusted sources • Pricing data from 3,500+ dealer websites • Major car auction results • Ex-fleet and leasing vehicle values It's a lot of data, but it helps make sure your valuation is up-to-date, independent, and reflects real market conditions.
Why should I get a car valuation?
Knowing the value of your car gives you confidence in a fair few situations:
• Selling your car: Set a realistic asking price that attracts buyers without underselling yourself. • Buying another vehicle: Understand what you can afford, and avoid overpaying. • Insurance claims: Have an accurate figure to hand in the event of theft or an accident. • Financial planning: With used car prices remaining high, your car may be a more valuable asset than you think.
• Selling your car: Set a realistic asking price that attracts buyers without underselling yourself. • Buying another vehicle: Understand what you can afford, and avoid overpaying. • Insurance claims: Have an accurate figure to hand in the event of theft or an accident. • Financial planning: With used car prices remaining high, your car may be a more valuable asset than you think.
Why choose Autotrader for your valuation?
We know your car is more than just a vehicle, it’s a part of your life story. That’s why we’re committed to delivering valuations you can trust.
With Autotrader you get: • Independent, data-driven results based on millions of market data points. • Accuracy and fairness, factoring in age, mileage, specifications, and optional extras. • A valuation you can rely on: consistent across private sales, dealer part-exchange, and trade-in comparisons. • Free and fast results. Simply enter your registration and mileage online. Join the millions of drivers who’ve already discovered their car’s true value with AutoTrader.
With Autotrader you get: • Independent, data-driven results based on millions of market data points. • Accuracy and fairness, factoring in age, mileage, specifications, and optional extras. • A valuation you can rely on: consistent across private sales, dealer part-exchange, and trade-in comparisons. • Free and fast results. Simply enter your registration and mileage online. Join the millions of drivers who’ve already discovered their car’s true value with AutoTrader.
How to get the best price for your car
If you’re planning to sell, pricing your car strategically is key. Here’s how to maximise your money:
1. Start with a valuation and use Autotrader’s free tool to establish a baseline figure. 2. Factor in extras like the service history, modifications, or fitted options. 3. Set a minimum price and decide the lowest figure you’re willing to accept, but keep it to yourself. 4. Allow for negotiation and price slightly higher than your minimum to give room for haggling. 5. Be smart with numbers and round prices strategically; for example, list at £6,000 instead of £5,995 to appear in more searches. Top tips: • Do thorough research before setting your price. • Be realistic and remember buyers will always try to negotiate. • Keep your documents, MOT, and service history in order. • Highlight features that make your car stand out.
1. Start with a valuation and use Autotrader’s free tool to establish a baseline figure. 2. Factor in extras like the service history, modifications, or fitted options. 3. Set a minimum price and decide the lowest figure you’re willing to accept, but keep it to yourself. 4. Allow for negotiation and price slightly higher than your minimum to give room for haggling. 5. Be smart with numbers and round prices strategically; for example, list at £6,000 instead of £5,995 to appear in more searches. Top tips: • Do thorough research before setting your price. • Be realistic and remember buyers will always try to negotiate. • Keep your documents, MOT, and service history in order. • Highlight features that make your car stand out.
What affects a car’s value?
Several factors influence how much your car is worth:
• Condition: Cosmetic and mechanical state make a huge difference. • Number of owners: Fewer owners typically means a higher value. • Optional extras: Sat navs, leather seats, and panoramic roofs can boost desirability. • Colour: Certain colours are more fashionable, which can impact value. • Service history: A full, documented history is always worth more. • MOT length: Buyers prefer cars with a long MOT. • Modifications: Customisations can increase or decrease appeal. • Rarity: Limited or hard-to-find models often hold value better.
• Condition: Cosmetic and mechanical state make a huge difference. • Number of owners: Fewer owners typically means a higher value. • Optional extras: Sat navs, leather seats, and panoramic roofs can boost desirability. • Colour: Certain colours are more fashionable, which can impact value. • Service history: A full, documented history is always worth more. • MOT length: Buyers prefer cars with a long MOT. • Modifications: Customisations can increase or decrease appeal. • Rarity: Limited or hard-to-find models often hold value better.
Next steps
Get a free car valuation so you know how much you have to play with, then explore your options (including buying, selling and part-exchange) on Autotrader as and when you’re ready. As ever, it’s in your hands.