How to value a used car?

Shortarmsdeeppockets_2

Hi all,

I am looking to buy a small runaround Fiesta/Clio/Corsa or similar 05/06/07 for between £2500-£3500. The only thing is trying to work out what the cars we are looking at are worth.

Is there some kind of book/magazine that shows car values like the Glass's guide for the trade. Haven't bought a car since my dad last helped so really need to try and make sure i'm not stitched up by paying over the odds.

Any advice appreciated!

TIA:)

bigjl

The best way to find out the going rate is check what they are advertised for on Autotrader. Or check completed listings on eBay, then you can see exactly what they go for.

Your budget will unlikely get you into an 07 plate of these desirable cars, unless it has done some miles or is a bit tatty.

Your top budget will get you easily into an ex Motability Megane or if very lucky a Focus, but you may have to get the Focus at Auction to get inside your budget.

As an example my wife has a 5 dr Clio DCi, we paid just over £5500 for it 18 odd months ago, it was lowish miles(29k) and a 56 plate, 1 owner, FSH.

That same car is still worth well over £4000 any day of the week.

Small economical cars hold their value unbelievably well these days.

Though you could easily get something like an 08 plate Chevrolet Lacetti estate for around £3000/3500, plenty of bang for your buck.

Personally I would consider going bigger unless you do high miles the mpg difference between a Clio/Fiesta and a Focu/Megane/Astra is only going to be 45 mpg against 35 mpg at worse, on a long run both cars would be much closer to each other.

So if you are a low miles driver why not go for something slightly bigger?

Though I do recommened the Clio, wifes car has been trouble free. Doesn't even squeak or rattle but the electric steering takes some getting used to.

I saw a 3 dr Clio 1.2, can't remember the specification, but it had PAS and A/C, went through Chelmsford for £2700 plus fees of about £200/250, one owner with history, I don't think the miles were high, about 50k as I didn't look that hard as I was pricing up cars for Private Hire with an autobox.

But for around £3000 all in not that bad a deal.

BUt then a Megane Scenic on an 08 plate, 1.6 Dynamique, autobox and 20k, ex motability went for £3300, did need £150/200 of bodywork to make minty, had a small dent on a wheel arch, but not what you call expensive, but then it is an automatic Renault, but SOOOOO CHEAP. Almost feels worth the risk, just buy a warranty to cover the autobox, but even then the box should be OK till at least 60/70k so why worry, cheap wheels indeed.

scheming_gypsy

bigjl wrote: »

The best way to find out the going rate is check what they are advertised for on Autotrader. Or check completed listings on eBay, then you can see exactly what they go for.

.

that's what i do. For sale adverts only tell you what people want for their cars whereas completed listings tell you what people are willing to pay for them.

bigjl

Indeed, nothing more accurate than actual sales. No "guide" involved.

BenL

Have a look at https://www.parkers.co.uk, they have listings for free on used cars. You can input the year, model, engine, specification and it will give values for a standard average mileage.

Ben

getmore4less

I use the parkers for a rough guide

There are also free glass's tradeins prices on line google should find them.
(probably on the low side to help traders)

Both the above get you in the ball park area but supply and demand will derermie how hard you can bagain and how choosy(waiting time)

Compare the above with Auotrader/ebay for whats available and asking prices.

I think glass's give you fair idea what a trade in wuld be or what a dealer might have paid.

rodenal

Parkers is completely out of whack with the market, tbh it's not worth even looking at.

The valuation from the vauxhall site isn't bad and looking at ebay completed auctions is a good idea too but be aware on ebay unless it's a particularly desirable model the cars tend to sell much closer to actual auction price rather than retail.

Car auctions themselves are a good place to go to judge true trade value

bigjl

If I am buying a three yr old ex fleeter (for myself not resale) from the auction I used to check for similar at CarGiant, if the price got within £1000 of the CG price then it was getting expensive, no point taking the risk at auction when for another bit of wedge get all the protection of SOGA.