How much is my car worth? How car valuations work

The four things that matter most

• The exact version. A top-spec model can be worth thousands more than the base model of the same year.
• Kilometres. Prices fall as kilometres rise, and the drop is steepest in the first 100,000 km for most cars.
• Age. Each year older usually takes a step off the price, more for some models than others.
• Where you are. Utes and four-wheel drives can be worth more in WA and Queensland than on the east coast, and some cars sell faster in one state than another.

Then the things only you know

A valuation from data assumes average condition for the age and kilometres, with standard equipment. Your car can be worth more with a full service history, new tyres or desirable extras, and less with damage, warning lights, worn interiors or missing keys.

Dealer prices and private prices are different things

A dealer's price usually includes preparation, a warranty, guaranteed clear title and consumer law protection, so the same car is priced higher on a dealer's lot than in a private sale. When you sell privately, price below what dealers ask for cars like yours; when you trade in, expect less again, because the dealer has to provide all of that before reselling it.

PL8ED's free range is a dealer market price: what cars like yours sell for at dealers.

Asking prices are not sale prices

Ads show what sellers hope for. Cars often sell for less, and some sit unsold for weeks because the price is too high. A good valuation looks at what cars actually sold for and how long they took, not just what is advertised today.

How PL8ED works it out

Every night we track dealer ads across Australia and see which cars sell. Your free price range comes from cars like yours, matched on year, version and kilometres, in your own state where there is enough evidence. The full report shows the 20 comparable cars behind the number, so you can check it yourself.

Getting the best price

1. Know your number before anyone makes you an offer.
2. Clean the car, fix small things, and gather the service book and both keys.
3. If you sell privately, price it in line with similar private ads, which usually sit below dealer prices. Overpriced cars go stale.
4. Decide between trade-in, selling to a dealer outright, or selling privately. Each trades money for time and effort.