What you'll see
- Estimated market value range
- Based on current UK market listings
- Factors in age, mileage and specification
- Confidence level indicator
- Comparable vehicles considered
Why check a car's value?
Knowing what a car is actually worth is the foundation of any good deal, whether you're buying or selling. Dealers and private sellers often set prices based on what they want rather than what the market supports. A free valuation gives you an objective starting point, based on what similar cars are actually listed for right now across the UK.
If you're buying, a valuation tells you whether the asking price is fair, high or a bargain. You can negotiate with confidence because you have data behind your offer. If you're selling, it helps you price competitively so the car doesn't sit unsold for weeks.or get snapped up because you priced too low.
Our valuations are calculated from real dealer and private listing data, not theoretical book values. This means they reflect what the market is actually doing right now, not what a car was worth six months ago.
What affects your car's value
Seven factors drive what any used car is worth. Understanding them helps you judge whether a price is fair, whether you are buying or selling.
The depreciation curve
Depreciation is the single largest cost of car ownership, yet most buyers focus on fuel and insurance. A typical new car loses 15-25% of its value in year one, 40-60% by year three, and roughly 80% by year ten. After five or six years, annual depreciation slows to 5-10% per year. The "sweet spot" for used car buying is three to five years old, when the steepest depreciation has already happened but the car still has most of its useful life remaining.
Mileage
Average UK annual mileage is around 7,100 miles. Cars below this average command a premium; cars above it are discounted. As a rough guide, expect a 20% decrease in value for every 20,000 miles above average for the car's age. However, for cars under five years old, age matters more than mileage.
Service history, spec and colour
A missing or incomplete service book can reduce a car's value by up to 20%. Full dealer service history (FDSH) commands a clear premium over independent garage stamps, particularly on premium brands. Desirable options (parking sensors, heated seats, larger screens) hold value. Unusual colours can add value on sports cars but subtract it on family cars. Grey, black, white and blue tend to hold value best in the mass market.
Write-off history
A Cat S or Cat N write-off marker typically reduces value by 20-40%, even after professional repair. Cat S (structural damage) has a bigger impact than Cat N (non-structural). Some insurers also charge 15-20% higher premiums for previously written-off vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate are free car valuations?
Our valuations are based on current market listings for the same make, model, age and mileage bracket. Accuracy depends on how many comparable cars are available. Popular models like a Ford Fiesta or VW Golf will have many comparables and therefore a tighter estimate. Rarer cars may have a wider range. We show a confidence level alongside every valuation so you know how much weight to give it.
What factors affect a car's value?
The biggest factors are make/model, age, mileage and condition. Beyond those, specification (engine size, trim level, options), colour, service history, number of previous owners and MOT history all play a role. A car with full service history and a clean MOT record will typically command a premium over an identical car without.
How is the valuation calculated?
We analyse current UK market listings data for the same make, model and variant. We adjust for differences in age, mileage and specification to produce a market-reflective estimate. Unlike trade guides that update monthly, our data reflects the live market.
Should I trust dealer valuations?
Dealer valuations serve the dealer's interests, not yours. A dealer buying your car will value it low (they need margin). A dealer selling you a car will value it high. An independent valuation from a source with no stake in the transaction gives you a neutral reference point.
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Valuations based on GetCarWise analysis of current UK market listings data. Last updated September 2026.