How Much Is My Car Worth?

What actually drives your car’s value

• Make, model, year and variant — the biggest factor. A base model and a top spec of the same car can differ by thousands.
• Odometer reading — lower kilometres generally mean a higher price, but unusually low km on an old car can raise questions.
• Condition — paint, panels, interior, tyres and mechanical health. Buyers discount hard for anything they’ll have to fix.
• Service history — a full logbook history is one of the easiest ways to hold value.
• Demand and timing — popular colours, in-demand models (utes, 4WDs, economical hatches) and seasonal timing all move price.
• Registration and roadworthy — a car with rego and a current roadworthy is worth more than one without.

Free ways to check your car’s value

1. Online valuation tools — enter your rego or make/model/year for an instant range. Treat it as a guide, not gospel.
2. Live listings — search the same car on the major marketplaces and note asking prices (then knock a little off, since asking is not sold).
3. Sold data — where available, sold prices are more accurate than asking prices.
4. Dealer trade-in quote — quick, but usually the lowest number because the dealer needs to resell at a margin.

Compare a few and you’ll land on a realistic range rather than a single hopeful figure.

Trade-in vs private sale: the price gap

A dealer trade-in is fast and easy — you drive in with one car and out with another — but you’ll typically get less than selling privately. A private sale usually nets more, at the cost of time, photos, enquiries and meeting buyers. Decide what your time and convenience are worth. If you’re buying your next car through a dealer, a trade-in can also reduce the amount you need to finance.

How to get top dollar

• Clean it properly — a detail pays for itself.
• Fix the cheap stuff — a globe, a wiper, a scuffed alloy.
• Gather your paperwork — service records, receipts, and a car history check so buyers trust the car.
• Price to the market, not your emotions — an overpriced car sits; a well-priced one sells fast.
• Write an honest, detailed ad — good photos in good light, real description, no surprises at inspection.

Selling with confidence

Buyers are wary — help them relax. A clean vehicle history check showing no finance owing or write-off record removes the biggest objection. When you’re ready, our Sell My Car guides walk you through pricing, advertising and safe handover, including selling privately in QLD.

How much is my car worth? FAQs

How can I find out what my car is worth for free?

Use an online valuation tool for an instant range, then cross-check against live listings and sold prices for the same make, model, year and variant. Get a dealer trade-in quote too. Comparing three or four sources gives a far more accurate figure than relying on any single number.

Is my car worth more as a trade-in or a private sale?

Almost always more in a private sale, because a dealer needs to buy below retail to resell at a profit. A trade-in wins on speed and convenience and can reduce what you finance on your next car. The right choice depends on how much your time is worth versus the extra dollars.

Does service history really affect the price?

Yes — significantly. A full logbook service history reassures buyers the car’s been cared for and reduces their perceived risk, which supports a higher price and a faster sale. Missing history is one of the most common reasons buyers negotiate down.

How many kilometres is too many?

There’s no hard cut-off — a well-maintained higher-km car with full history can be worth more than a neglected low-km one. As a guide, buyers benchmark against roughly 15,000 km per year. Condition and service history often matter more than the number itself.

Should I get a roadworthy before selling?

In some states a roadworthy (safety certificate) is required to sell or transfer registration. Even where it’s optional, having one ready can speed up the sale and support your asking price. Check your state’s rules before you advertise.

Written and reviewed by the team at Car Buyers Assist.

This article is general information only and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Valuations are estimates and actual sale prices vary with condition, demand and location.