Which Used Car/Van Valuation Guides?

Mr_Crunch

I'm about to sell my van privately and buy a used car either privately, or from an independent dealer to replace it. However, valuation guides vary considerably:

Wisebuyer values seem on the low side
Parkers values seem on the high side
What Car? values actually don't seem too far off to me
Not sure about Glasses (pay-for valuation)
Not sure about CAP (pay-for valuation, and what Autotrader uses)

Glasses and the CAP Black Book are what the trade use, but I read that their valuations are getting wider apart (CAP reflecting strangely high auction values), so even 'professionals' find it hard to value now.

I only want the 'right' price, but before lashing out £3.50 for CAP or Glasses it would be helpful to know which is more realistic. Does anyone know?

BTW I am aware of the 'free' Glasses valuations provided by Vauxhall online but that is not useful because that is for trade-in values, not private or independent retailer sale values, which is what I want. And I have no problem having to pay for a couple of £3.50s if it saves me £500...!

Is there anyone perhaps with recent motor trade experience out there who knows which of these valuation guides most accurately reflects 'real' sale values?

harveybobbles

We use Glasses and CAP. Though to be honest, all these paperbacks are all called guides for one reason - they are just that: a guide.

The best way to value a ve-hickle is to look on autotrader and see what similar ones are priced at and price yours at a bit less.

NeverAgain_2

The book won't buy it, so in that respect it matters not what it says.

And the book's retail value would be for a car fully retail prepared and warranted, which yours wouldn't be as a private sale.

As has been said, look around to find what similar vehicles are being advertised for, and price yours accordingly.

Mr_Crunch

harveybobbles wrote: »

We use Glasses and CAP. Though to be honest, all these paperbacks are all called guides for one reason - they are just that: a guide.

The best way to value a ve-hickle is to look on autotrader and see what similar ones are priced at and price yours at a bit less.

Thanks. Yes, I have done that, and I've got a figure in mind, but it's hard because I've got a very good 2004/54 Transit 350 90 High Roof LWB with only 33,000 miles on it with FSH so it's like comparing apples & oranges, because most vans on these for sale sites are very high mileage and clearly knackered!