When you’re ready to jump into the used car market, it can be overwhelming. What’s the real value of my vehicle? Is the price the dealer’s asking fair? These questions are top-of-mind for used car buyers entering the market.
That’s why there’s no better tool to have on hand than the Kelley Blue Book or KBB used car value guide. The gold standard in the auto industry since the 1920’s and trusted by millions, it’s used to calculate new and used car values.
The KBB price guide determines a fair market value of your used car, truck, or SUV with only a small amount of information. It answers that all-important question, “What is the Kelley Blue Book value of my used car?”
Here’s how it works. On the KBB site, you simply enter the mileage, general condition, make and model of your vehicle, as well as any accessories the vehicle has. Then let KBB work its magic.
The site will return detailed information on the current market value of your vehicle. And it will tell you the low to high selling price for your used car, truck, or SUV, plus, the average trade-in value.
The KBB used car guide also lets you search for ratings, reviews, and vehicle history reports. The same is true for Edmunds, another reputable used car value guide. Both will provide reliable information about the vehicle you’re looking to sell and to purchase.
But keep this in mind.
A Wrinkle in Finding Used Car Values
While both KBB and Edmunds provide good general information about the value of your vehicle, those values will likely vary on each site. Usually, by several thousand dollars.
Nobody knows why, but it is factor you should consider. Here’s what you can do to come up with a selling price for your vehicle. Or, for the one you want to buy.
If the price of the vehicle you want to purchase is higher on KBB and lower on Edmunds, or vice versa, simply add up both figures and divide by two. That should give you a good average selling price.
What’s more, you should also search the Internet for vehicles like yours or the one you’re thinking of buying. Try Auto Trader or CarsDirect to get prices.
Once you have some reference prices, repeat the process above. Add them up and divide them for an average selling price. This will give you a clearer picture of the value.
KBB Used Cars and Our Harrisonburg Used Car Dealership
You’ll notice on the KBB site that there are three different values in the Blue Book Used Car Guide.
• The trade-in value you can expect from a dealer
• The private party value which is what you can expect to pay from a private seller
• The retail value which is what you can expect to pay at the dealer
This tells you with accuracy what to expect on the open market with used car buying.
If your head is swimming with all the extra work you need to do to just to find a fair price for the used car, truck, or SUV you want to buy. Consider this.
Joe Bowman used cars are generally priced below the KBB used car values. Check in at the KBB site and see for yourself.
Additionally, we’re very fair with our trade-in offers. Or, we can outright buy the vehicle from you, cutting you a check the same day!
Not only that, but we stand behind what we sell with either a 30-day or 90-day warranty. If you want to make your used car buying experience one that’s not only stress-free, but fair and enjoyable, stop by our dealership or shop online.
We’re here to make your buying experience one you want to repeat with us again and again!
