Read this first: mileage matters as much as age
This tool estimates from price and age, which is a solid starting point — but vehicles are the one category where a second variable, mileage, moves the number nearly as much. A three-year-old car with 15,000 miles and one with 60,000 can be worth thousands apart. Use this estimate as a sanity-check range, then confirm with a VIN-and-mileage valuation before you set a firm price.
How cars depreciate
A new car loses around 20% in its first year and roughly 15% of its remaining value each year after, flattening out around years five to seven. The steepest drop is the drive off the lot, which is exactly why buying a two- to three-year-old car is such good value — and why the seller who bought new absorbed the worst of it.
Depreciation isn't uniform, though. Trucks and popular SUVs, hybrids, and certain enthusiast models hold value far better than average sedans. Luxury vehicles typically depreciate faster in percentage terms because their sticker prices are high and their maintenance costs scare off used buyers. Nudge the demand slider to reflect where your model sits.
Get a real cash offer before you list
Instant-offer services value your car from the VIN and mileage, make a firm offer, and can often pick it up. Even if you plan to sell privately, an instant quote gives you a hard floor — and a fast exit if a private sale drags on or the lowballs pile up.
Private sale vs. instant offer
A private sale almost always nets more — often 10–15% above what an instant-offer service will pay, because you're cutting out their reconditioning margin. The trade-off is time, tire-kickers, test drives, payment safety, and paperwork. Instant offers hand you certainty and speed at a modest discount. The right call depends on how quickly you need the car gone and how comfortable you are managing strangers and money.
Prep that protects your price
- Gather service records. A documented maintenance history is the single most persuasive thing you can show a private buyer.
- Detail it. A professional clean is one of the highest-ROI things you can do before photos.
- Fix the cheap stuff. Burnt-out bulbs, wipers, and a fresh set of mats cost little and remove haggling ammunition.
- Photograph in good light. Clean background, all angles, and honest shots of any flaws.
- Know your payoff. If there's a loan, understand the payoff amount before you negotiate.
Frequently asked questions
Why doesn't the calculator ask for mileage?
It's a quick price-and-age estimator meant to give you a fast range. Mileage, trim, options, and local demand all shift the real number, so treat the result as a starting point and confirm with a VIN valuation before pricing firmly.
Is now a good time to sell?
Used-vehicle prices swing with supply and season. Convertibles and sporty cars sell better in spring and summer; trucks and AWD vehicles firm up before winter. If you're not rushed, timing to your vehicle's season can add a few percent.
Should I sell privately or trade in at a dealer?
Private sale nets the most; dealer trade-in is easiest and, in some regions, reduces the sales tax on your next purchase. Instant-offer services sit between the two on both price and effort.