What the value section shows
The VIN identifies the exact year, make, model and trim, so a value lookup by VIN avoids the most common mistake in pricing a used car: comparing it with the wrong version. Our report's Market Value Analysis gives three figures for four condition levels, in U.S. dollars:
| Value type | What it means | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Trade-in | What a dealer would typically allow when you trade the car in | Selling to a dealer, or judging a dealer's offer |
| Private party | A typical price between two private individuals | Buying from or selling to a private person |
| Dealer retail | A typical asking price on a dealer lot | Judging a dealer's sticker price |
Each figure is given for rough, average, clean and outstanding condition, with a chart that compares them. The values come from a U.S. vehicle data provider and reflect the U.S. market.
The car's own price history
A guide value tells you what similar cars are worth. The rest of the report tells you what this car has actually been offered and sold for:
- Listing history: each time the car was listed online by a dealer or private seller, with the date, asking price and odometer, plus the asking price range seen.
- Sales history: recorded sales with the sale price, and in some records the retail value and repair cost.
- Auction records: for cars sold at salvage auctions, the estimated repair cost, average estimated retail value and estimated winning bid when recorded.
If the same car was listed at $18,500 three months ago and is now offered at $21,900 with no new work done, you have something to negotiate with.
How to use the numbers
- Pick the condition honestly. Most used cars are "average" or "clean". "Outstanding" is for near-perfect cars with records. Visible damage, warning lights or worn tires point to "rough".
- Adjust for mileage and options yourself. Our values are by VIN and are not adjusted for exact mileage, optional equipment or your ZIP code. A car with far more miles than average for its age is worth less than the figure shown.
- Check the history before the price. A salvage or rebuilt brand, theft record or serious auction damage changes everything. Branded cars usually sell well below clean-title values and are harder to finance, insure and resell. Those results are in the same report.
- Compare with live listings. Search similar cars near you. The listing history in our report shows how this car's asking price has moved.
Free value tools
There is no official government car value lookup in the U.S. Free estimates come from commercial guides such as Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, J.D. Power (formerly NADA Guides) and Black Book, and listing sites like CarGurus. They are useful for a quick number. Each uses its own data, so expect them to differ from each other and from our figures. What they do not give you is the car's own history, which is often what decides the price.
Free preview vs. full report
| Free preview | Full report ($9.99) | |
|---|---|---|
| Market value | Not included | Trade-in, private party and dealer retail by condition |
| Listing history | Number of online listings | Asking prices and odometer readings over time |
| Sales and auctions | Number of records | Sale prices, repair cost and retail value when recorded |
| History checks | Not shown (in the full report) | Full salvage and theft results |
The preview is free and needs no account: enter the VIN and you see the year, make and model and how many auction and damage, listing and sales records we found. The salvage title, theft and recall results are only in the full report. The full report costs $9.99 (USD) for a single VIN, with lower per-report prices in packs and monthly plans. Report credits never expire, and a purchased report stays in your account with a PDF download.