What is my used car worth? What decides the price, plainly
A used car's value depends on a few factors, but how much each one weighs varies a lot from model to model. Here we explain what makes the price go up or down, why listing prices mislead and how to get a figure in writing.
Short answer
Your car is worth what a buyer pays for it today, in its current condition. The starting point is the price at which identical cars sell (same model, version, year and mileage); from there, condition, history and needed repairs push the value up or down. Listing prices are asking prices, not sale prices.
What makes the value go up or down
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Model and version | Demand rules: popular versions sell faster and for more. Engine, automatic gearbox and equipment count. |
| Year | Each extra year takes value off, especially in the car's first years. |
| Mileage | Compared with the average for its age. High mileage weighs more on recent cars. |
| Condition | Bodywork, interior, tyres and brakes. Each repair needed comes off the value. |
| History | A service book and invoices build trust; a car with no history is worth less. |
| Mechanics | Warning lights, leaks, noises or a faulty gearbox lower the value a lot. |
| Documents | A valid IPO and clean paperwork avoid discounts; an unpaid loan has to be settled before the sale. |
| Fuel | Demand for diesel, petrol, hybrids and electric changes over time; on electric cars, battery health counts. |
Why listing prices mislead
On the portals you see asking prices. Many cars stay online for weeks and sell below the listing after negotiation. The cheapest listings sometimes hide problems, and the most expensive ones sometimes never sell.
For a more honest reference, compare several listings of the same model, version, year and mileage and look at the middle, not the extremes. In our catalogue we show, for each car, the median asking price in Portugal for comparable cars: it is a listing reference, not a purchase price.
Get a written offer for your car
How we work out our offer
- The offer takes into account the model, year, mileage, the condition checked at the inspection and the repairs needed.
- We deduct the repairs the inspection finds and our resale costs. We do not publish percentages.
- Each offer states how long it is valid. If the real condition differs from what was declared, the offer may change, and we say so before signing.
That is why a buyer's offer is, as a rule, below what a private seller can get with time. In return, you list nothing, negotiate nothing and get a figure in writing. Compare the options in private sale, trade-in or buyer.
How not to lose value before selling
- Gather the history: service book, garage invoices, the last IPO.
- Fix the small things: bulbs, wipers, a deep clean. Big repairs rarely pay off before a sale.
- Be accurate in the request: mileage, known faults and damage. The offer only stands if the condition matches.
- Papers in order: a loan, retention of title or a seizure delays or blocks the sale.
Frequently asked questions
Can you give me a figure without seeing the car?
Any figure before the inspection is only indicative.
The written offer comes after we see the car.
Does the valuation cost anything?
No.
The request and the inspection are free and without obligation.
Why is your offer lower than the listings?
Listings are asking prices, before negotiation.
Our offer deducts the repairs found and resale costs, and it is a figure we pay if you accept it.
Does mileage weigh a lot?
It depends on the age and model.
We compare it with what is normal for the car's age, and the service history helps.
How long is the offer valid?
Each offer states how long it is valid.
Where do you do the inspection?
In and around Lisbon, Loures, Porto and Leiria.
Elsewhere, ask.
Read next
Get a written offer for your car
Model, year, mileage and city; photos optional.