Online Car Valuation Guide

There's an online solution!

Whether you're buying or selling a used car, need a valuation following on from an accident or for a car insurance quote, it's important to make sure you get an accurate and unbiased car valuation.

With help from our friends at CDL the leading UK providers of vehicle lookup data, we’ve pulled together a guide on when and why you might need a valuation.

Why get a car valuation?

If you’re in the market for a new or used car you’re going to want to make sure you’re not paying over the odds. By getting a car valuation you can find out the current market value of specific makes and models and make adjustments for the condition or mileage of the vehicle.

car value

Having an idea of the price can help you when it comes to negotiating on the final sale price. While you’ll be looking to make your money work for you and get the car at its cheapest value, sellers will be looking to make the biggest profit they can. Armed with a current valuation, you’ll be in a better position even before the negotiations have begun.

Even if you’re part exchanging your motor, a valuation can make sure you get the right price from the dealer and avoid missing out on its true value.

If you’re looking at new or used cars, it’s likely you’ll also be looking to insure that potential new motor. If you’re short for time or have many cars you’re looking at, our QuickQuote service could be right up your street. Simply text us the number plate of the car you’re looking to insure and as long as you’re mobile number is registered with us, we’ll return your best quote in seconds.

Unfortunate enough to have been in an accident?

If you’re unlucky enough to have been involved in an accident resulting in a total loss, you’re insurer will issue you with a settlement offer. However what many consumers don’t realise is that you don’t have to accept your insurers offer. Often consumers find that the settlement offered by their insurers just doesn’t add up, in which case it’s possible to dispute the offer providing you have a strong enough case.

Insurers usually calculate your settlement through a combination of an engineer’s report (unless the car was stolen) and a car valuation guide, which does take rough mileage into account. However, the process is ultimately a negotiation between customer and insurer. Here’s where doing your own valuation can help. Before speaking to your insurer, browse as many valuation guides as you can to find prices supporting your claim, as these are what are taken most into account.

Online Car Valuation Guide

As well as running an online valuation through a service such as the cost free option provided by CDL, motor sales websites like Auto Trader will also be valuable in proving your case. Finding an example of a car for sale that’s as similar to yours as possible can support your valuation. Keeping recent, date-stamped photos of your vehicle can also help illustrate the condition of your car prior to the loss. If you want to take it further, you can pay for an independent valuation by an engineer, however this can be costly and there’s a risk that the valuation comes in below the original, leaving you further out of pocket. Ask your local garage for a quote on a valuation.

Ultimately even after all this, your insurer may still stick with their initial valuation no matter how much you protest, however it is important to go through the process of challenging if only to make sure you’ve done all you can and simply to exercise your rights as a consumer.