How to Know What Your Car is Worth?

Many people want to sell their cars but are not sure about their worth. It’s essential to evaluate the inner and outer conditions, as well as how do they work mechanically. 

If you want to sell used cars in Calgary, keep on reading to find out everything you need to know to determine the value of your vehicle.

The Value is Different for Sellers and Buyers

The first thing you need to know is that perhaps you consider that your car has a value, but it doesn’t mean that people will feel the same way; therefore, you should check listing sites for used cars in Calgary to see an accurate price of your vehicle.

Price Categories

When a used car dealership in Calgary values the vehicle, we are talking about a wholesale price. Keep in mind that the dealership will buy it at a lower price because they look forward to selling it later and gain profit.

However, when you sell the car to a private party, the price is higher, and you obtain the profit yourself. This price is what we call the retail price.

Value of the Car

So you are looking forward to selling your car, how do you work out its worth?

First, you should take a look at the book value of the vehicle to know how much it is worth. You can also check sites online and some guides to check out the retail prices. Any other information about car pricing will be helpful in your journey of selling your vehicle.

Visit a Seller

It is also helpful to check out some cars like yours that are on sale in your area so you can get a better picture of the selling part. You will see what questions do the sellers ask and get good ideas. You can also evaluate how much money they ask for and lower the price a little bit for better chances of selling since the customers are always looking at negotiating.

Also, remember that the prices in your locality can be different in another region, even though it is the same model.

What You Need to Know

Now, let’s see what conditions you need to evaluate before valuing your used car in Calgary.

  • Clean car – Think about it for a minute. If you were the customer and you were to see a used car that is not clean, would you have interest? A neat vehicle sells way faster; therefore, ensure it is clean before you show it to others.
  • Body damage – The more body damage your vehicle has, the more its value decreases; hence, consider it when selling it. 
  • Mileage – The price drops in use per mile. On average, people drive about 12,000 a year; hence, good mileage for a used vehicle that is ten years old would be 120,000.

Improve the Value of Your Car

  • Wash your car – As we mentioned above, make sure that your vehicle is clean by washing it. You may also use wax if there are any small damages in some parts.
  • Replace the tires – Getting new tires for your car will also improve its value.
  • Contact a mechanic – Checking the mechanical condition of your vehicle with a professional will give the customer more confidence about your car’s worth.

If you made it this far, now you know what to do before selling a used car. Get informed, check the inner and outer conditions, have a pre-sale inspection, and you will have better chances of getting an excellent deal for your vehicle.

And if you are interested in buying instead of selling, feel free to get in touch with our offices. We have an excellent team of professionals that will help you find the best car, according to your wants and needs.