vector Smart Scan: Monitor your car's value

Set up monthly alerts, track price trends, and make informed decisions on when it’s the best time to sell. With Smart Scan, you’ll always be in the know about your car’s value.

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Smart Scan & Valuation

Get your free vehicle valuation and use our Smart Scan to check your car's performance. Is it time to sell?

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Now that you’ve got all the details, you’re in a great spot to choose the perfect time to sell.

Dynamic market valuations

Our advanced real time valuation technology leverages live market data and our proprietary sales metrics to provide precise valuations of your car based on factors like age, make, model, and mileage. Plus, enjoy instant updates and notifications if significant market shifts could affect your car's value.

Comprehensive value tracking with Smart Scan

Monitor your car’s value over the past 24 months with ease. Our detailed data reveals depreciation rates and seasonal price trends, helping you pinpoint the optimal selling period. Additionally, compare your car's value against similar models to gauge its market standing.

Smart Scan Alerts

Stay ahead with timely information and potentially more money in your pocket! Receive monthly email alerts that not only track your car’s market value but also offer tips on improving its resale value. This way, you can make informed decisions about when to sell and enhance your car’s appeal.

How to maximize your car's resale value: Key Factors to watch

Discover the top elements that can impact your car's worth. Learn how mileage, market trends, and other critical factors play a role in determining your vehicle's resale value.

Factors that can decrease your car's value

Mileage is a crucial determinant in your car's depreciation. Higher mileage signifies extensive usage and inevitable wear and tear, which can significantly lower the offers from potential buyers. Continuous driving raises the mileage, gradually diminishing your vehicle’s market value.

The value of a car plummets most dramatically within the first three years after it hits the road, with the first year seeing the sharpest decline. While depreciation persists annually, it does so at a more gradual rate as the car ages.

Keeping an updated service history is essential for accurate car valuations. A complete service record can notably enhance a used car’s resale value, while incomplete or missing records might cause buyers to assume there are hidden issues, leading to lower offers.

Your car’s value is significantly affected by market trends and demand, which can vary based on factors like the popularity of specific makes and models, consumer preferences, economic conditions, and changing emission standards. Additionally, the recent chip shortage has driven many buyers towards the used car market, impacting car values.

With the 2035 transition to electric vehicles looming, the future market value of petrol, diesel, and hybrid cars remains unpredictable. As electric vehicles become more common, the worth of traditional combustion engine vehicles may fluctuate, complicating long-term value predictions.

Extensive modifications, whether cosmetic or mechanical, generally reduce a car’s appeal to the broader market. Most buyers and dealers prefer cars without extensive customisations, as they seek vehicles with mass-market appeal.

The number of previous owners can affect your car's desirability. Cars with fewer owners are typically more attractive to buyers, as single-owner vehicles often indicate better care and maintenance, reflecting positively on the car's condition.

A significant accident or damage history, even with full repairs, can negatively impact your car’s value. Professional buyers usually avoid cars that have been written off, which can lead to lower valuations or the need to sell the vehicle for scrap.

External factors such as new registration plate releases, tax changes, and environmental regulations can also influence car values. For example, new taxes on electric vehicles or shifts in environmental policies can alter market demand and pricing for certain car types.

Key Strategies to maintain your vehicles value

Cars that meet Euro 6 emissions standards, especially petrol and diesel models, retain their value better than non-compliant vehicles. All-electric and most hybrid cars typically comply with these standards. Vehicles not meeting ULEZ, LEZ, or CAZ requirements are less desirable due to daily charges incurred in clean air zones in cities like London and others across the UK.

Optional add-ons can significantly boost your car's resale value. Features such as upgrade packs, leather seats, and premium sound systems consistently increase the attractiveness and worth of a used car.

Vehicles equipped with the latest safety, performance, and experience-enhancing technologies are highly sought after. Cars featuring advanced tech innovations will continue to command higher prices in the resale market.

The colour of your car can influence its appeal and resale value. Popular colours like black, grey, and blue are preferred by many buyers, enhancing the car's market value. Additionally, iconic colours specific to certain makes, like a red Ferrari, can further boost a car's desirability and worth.

While mileage is an indicator of a car's condition, it is not the sole factor. A well-maintained car in excellent condition, both inside and out, can be more valuable than a slightly lower-mileage vehicle that is not as well cared for.

A manufacturer’s warranty adds significant value by providing buyers with the reassurance that any mechanical or electrical issues will be repaired at no extra cost. Most new cars come with warranties lasting three years or more, which remain valid even if the car is sold during this period, positively impacting its resale value.
To delve deeper into how depreciation affects your car’s value over time, explore our comprehensive guide on depreciation factors and trends in our Smart Insights centre.(hyperlink)

How we determine your car’s value

At Carsmart, we leverage real-time market data from our extensive used car marketplace and broader industry trends to assess your car’s value. We analyze your car’s make and model alongside similar vehicles nationwide, including both newer and older examples. This comprehensive approach ensures our valuations are consistently precise and up-to-date. By using your vehicle’s registration and mileage, we deliver a tailored valuation that reflects its unique history, providing you with reliable insights now and in the future.

What is your car’s current value?

The worth of your car is influenced by various factors including its make, model, age, condition, mileage, fuel type, and adherence to emissions standards. Market demand and external influences also play a significant role. Predicting how your car’s value will evolve can be complex, but with Carsmart’s Smart Scan, you get an instant and accurate valuation for free. Our tool simplifies this process, helping you understand how your car’s value may shift over time.

Explore our guides to learn more about value fluctuations and what to expect.

Why is valuing your vehicle important?

Whether you plan to sell your car now or in the future, obtaining an accurate valuation is crucial. Understanding your car’s current worth and depreciation trends helps you make informed decisions about when to sell and how to achieve the best price. Whether your car is petrol, diesel, hybrid, or electric, knowing its value gives you a strategic advantage in the market.

Which cars are free from ULEZ charges?

Different rules apply to different types of vehicles when it comes to ULEZ fees. For the most part, this means:

ULEZ compliant petrol cars

  • Must meet Euro 4, Euro 5 or Euro 6 emissions standards
  • Were generally registered after January 2006

ULEZ compliant diesel cars

  • Must be Euro 6 compliant
  • Were generally registered after September 2015

ULEZ compliant hybrid & electric cars

  • With diesel engines: Must meet Euro 6 standards
  • With petrol engines: Must meet Euro 4 standards

ULEZ compliant vans & motorbikes

  • Diesel vans must be Euro 6 compliant
  • Petrol vans must be Euro 4 compliant

Monitor your car’s depreciation

Track your car’s current and past value with Carsmarts Smart Scan. Our free tool uses live real-time market data to give you accurate valuations, helping you decide the best time to sell. Age, mileage, service history, and market trends all impact your car’s value, and our Smart Scan keeps you informed of these changes.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Car Valuation

Finding out your car's value is simple and quick with Carsmart. Our advanced car valuation tool uses real-time market data to provide an accurate and current estimated sale price. Just enter your registration number and mileage to get an instant valuation.

Tracking your car's value can be overwhelming due to factors like mileage, condition, damage, and service history. Our Car Value Tracker simplifies this by monitoring your car's value changes, ensuring you can sell at the optimal time.

While many sites offer car valuation calculators, only Carsmart provides valuations based on live trends from our extensive dealer marketplace. This means our valuations reflect the current buying habits of thousands of professional car dealers across the nation.

Our Smart Scan feature allows you to monitor your car’s value over time, adapting to market changes. Monthly alerts keep you updated, helping you decide the best time to sell.

Several factors impact your car’s value, including:

  • Age
  • Service history
  • Mileage
  • Emissions rating
  • Demand and desirability
  • External influences like the 2035 electric switchover

Maintaining your car’s condition is crucial. Regular washes and waxes can help keep your vehicle looking its best. Additionally, selling to a private buyer might fetch a higher price since there’s no dealer margin involved. However, the effort and stress of finding a private buyer may offset this benefit.

Carsmart valuations are powered by live data from our marketplace and the wider car industry, including trade platforms and book values. Our prices update in real-time, ensuring your estimated sale price is always based on the latest offers for similar vehicles.

Even if you're not ready to sell, keeping an eye on your car’s value can help you decide the best time to sell. For many, their vehicle is a significant asset, so understanding its value helps manage personal finances. Carsmart offers free, easy valuation checks and value tracking over time with Smart Scan.

For a quick and accurate valuation, all you need is your car’s registration number and mileage. Our system uses data from thousands of successful deals in our marketplace to provide a reliable valuation. Keep in mind that valuations can change frequently due to various factors.

Carsmart uses smart technology to ensure real-time market accuracy. Enter your registration number and mileage, and our system scans thousands of bids from traders, dealers, and online buyers daily. This comprehensive data approach ensures precise valuation. For ongoing value tracking, try our Smart Scan feature.

A car's value is influenced by factors such as age, condition, mileage, and market popularity. New cars depreciate quickly, losing up to a third of their value in the first few years. Specific valuations consider age, mileage, and specifications. For instance, a well-maintained four-year-old car might retain 70-80% of its initial purchase price, with higher values for cars in near-perfect condition.

Car valuation is dynamic, not linear. Depreciation rates vary, and market influences can cause significant value changes. For example, new car shortages in 2021 increased the value of nearly-new and low-mileage cars. Understanding these trends helps predict your car’s value.

The UK’s used car market is significantly larger than its new car market, with cars typically having 2-3 owners over their lifetime. While car pricing fluctuates, selling at the right time can maximize your vehicle's value. Staying informed about market trends helps make informed decisions.

Getting a free, instant online valuation is easy with Carsmart. Enter your registration number and mileage to see your car’s current value. Our valuations incorporate thousands of real-time offers and market data. Smart Scan, a free tool, keeps you updated on your car’s value, showing historical trends and providing monthly alerts.

“Forecourt value” refers to the highest price a used vehicle can fetch, usually achieved after full servicing and minor repairs. To get close to this value, maintain your vehicle well and keep detailed service records.

If you disagree with your insurer’s valuation after a write-off, you can present evidence of higher valuations. Use Carsmart’s Smart Scan tool for a free, instant valuation. You can also gather written valuations from dealers and check your car finance agreement for any Guaranteed Minimum Future Value or other relevant valuation information.

The P11D value is the cost to buy your new car, including the list price and delivery charges but excluding discounts, registration fees, and road tax. For accurate figures, contact your supplier.

Carsmart valuations are valid for seven days, but you can view historic valuations for up to six vehicles within Smart Scan when logged into your free Carsmart account.

Carsmart’s free valuation report includes your car’s make, model, year, registration, current mileage, fuel type, and transmission. It also provides a current value based on real-time sales data and market trends.

Your valuation is valid for five business days. After this period, you’ll need to reconfirm your mileage for a new valuation. Depending on live market data, your car’s value might increase, decrease, or stay the same.

Car values fluctuate more than you might realize. You can value your car as often as needed to choose the best time to sell. Factors such as market demand, new number plate dates in March and September, and new model releases can influence values. Consider these factors for the most accurate valuation timing.

Carsmart can value most vehicles, but we don’t accept the following for sale:

  • Classic cars
  • Imported vehicles
  • Motorcycles, mopeds, quad bikes, and other small motorized vehicles
  • Trucks and lorries
  • Category write-offs
  • Taxis or vehicles previously used as taxis
  • Emergency vehicles
  • Cars used for driving tuition

For these vehicles, please contact the Carsmart team.

Carsmart valuations consider your car’s key specifications: model, age, mileage, and fuel type. The value assumes the car is in good condition. To prepare for sale on Carsmart, provide detailed information about your car’s condition, service history, and additional specifications. This thorough profiling helps us find the best price from our nationwide dealer network.

Sell your car guides vector

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