For a car valuation, various criteria are relevant.
you want to sell your car and ask yourself the question: "what is my car still worth?" or "how can i calculate the value of a car?. Is there a car value calculator?". you should definitely not sell your car for less than it’s worth. In order to achieve an appropriate price, a preliminary car valuation important.
Such a car valuation can be done on various reasons take place. Different features of the car play a role. It is important who you have the car appraisal done by. For this you have many options.
Also when buying a car it is important to calculate the car value. For example, the decision has to be made whether to purchase a new cars or a used one want to buy. For a used car, a price evaluation is essential, because you should not buy the vehicle over value.
Here you can get a free online valuation of your car.
A vehicle valuation can be carried out (for a fee) by schwacke, deutsche automobil treuhand or an expert.
Here you will find an overview of which criteria are used in the car valuation to determine the residual value of the car.
The following guide is intended to give you an overview of how the value of the car can be determined, where you can have a car appraised and which criteria for a car valuation important.
have your car valued!
criteria for car valuation
to calculate a car value, many different criteria have to be taken into account. In the following list you will find an overview of the most important features to determine the car value to be able to:
- Make of the vehicle
- Vehicle type
- Version (model)
- age (year)
- Mileage
- date of first registration
- Special equipment
- Color of the vehicle
- "checkbook maintained"
- time until the tuv expires
- condition of tires, rims and hubcaps
- Scratches or rust
- Any repair costs that may be incurred due to damage to the car
for the valuation of a car, the car and its accessories are carefully examined.
Car valuations can be very variable its. it is therefore worthwhile to compare several offers. A first overview of the used car value can be obtained by a dealers give. To do this, you should present the vehicle you want to sell to a dealer. This will have an internal appraiser estimate the value of the used car. After this estimation you have a first clue.
Schwacke list and DAT
1957 the first schwacke list, called schwacke for short, with 40 models published. It indicates for the german market, how high the approximate residual value of a car is. Criteria are, for example, the type of vehicle, the year of manufacture, the mileage or the equipment. similar lists exist in other countries, for example the "argus" in france or the "kelley blue book" in the USA.
The schwacke list is constantly updated and is primarily used by dealers to help them determine the value of a car. It not only deals with cars, also lists about motorcycles, trucks, trailers, off-road vehicles, boats and commercial vehicles can be found. Since 1990 the list also available online.
The german automobile trust (DAT) is the cheaper option compared to the schwacke list. The DAT operates market research in the automotive sector. In the DAT list you can also find some hints for the car valuation. DAT can provide for all vehicles up to an age of twelve years are used.
Via the online portal, the vehicle owner can enter his data and have the value of the used car determined. About 70.000 purchase and sales values from dealers serve as the basis for the analysis. This service is for the user free of charge, but is only based on statistics. If this is not sufficient for you, it is advisable to hire an appraiser.
Car valuation online
the schwacke list and the DAT are only two providers. On the internet offer numerous sites to make a car valuation. The most different portals advertise with a free car valuation. Of course you can also compare prices for similar vehicles online. For this purpose, you should search on different car exchanges for cars that are very similar to yours and that have the compare prices.
In addition, not every vehicle valuation on the internet is free of charge. You should therefore always check beforehand check whether you will incur costs can.
appraiser
the value of a used car can be determined by an appraiser.
A surveyor (expert) offers the possibility of a individual valuation of your car. appraisers must always be able to justify their appraisals so that the estimated value can be verified. The value of the vehicle is determined by an expert at a fixed very accurate determined. The results are summarized in a valuation report.
It is possible, for example, to commission a valuer from the TuV to commission. This appraiser gives a comprehensive used car evaluation and prepares a detailed value appraisal. This appraisal also includes the market and current value of the vehicle. An appraisal can also be carried out during the main inspection (HU) of your vehicle for an additional charge.
If the appraisal is to be carried out at the vehicle’s location, the TuV employee will come to you for an additional charge. In addition, the condition of the vehicle is documented in the form of pictures. The preparation of the report by the TuV costs you 125 euro (for a value appraisal at the car location 150 euro).
The DEKRA offers the service of a value appraisal as well. However, the vehicle appraisal must take place at a dekra branch. This service will cost you 142.21 euro. TuV and DEKRA are often overloaded, so you would have to wait a long time for an appointment. If you are pressed for time, it is worthwhile to have a private appraiser to be commissioned. However, this can be a little more expensive its.
Car dealers also work with appraisers. However, most of these people have their own desk in the sales store and do not want to risk their jobs by estimating the value of a car too high. So the appraisers have a certain margin. However, you must not go below this margin, otherwise you would lose your credibility.
Current value and depreciation
the current value always indicates the value that an object has at a fixed point in time has. In the case of the vehicle, the current value is the value it has at the time of the car valuation.
Car valuations therefore always depend on the date on which they are calculated. You can also the weather play a role. For example, a convertible is worth less in winter than in summer, because the demand after cabriolets in the winter is significantly lower.
The depreciation the loss in value of a vehicle is enormous, especially in the first few years. New cars lose their value much faster than used cars. Just in the first year the depreciation of a new car is very high. After a mileage of about 15.000 kilometers the current value of the car already decreases by about a quarter of the original purchase price. After about three years has the value of your vehicle halved.
- When buying a car, choose a common color (black or silver). conspicuously painted cars usually sell more poorly.
- The residual value ranking of the schwacke list you can find out for which brands the loss of value is not so serious.
- Choose one popular model, this is also easier to sell afterwards (the demand determines the price).
- It is also advantageous, if you have your vehicle all inspections and maintenance subject to manufacturer’s instructions.
- special equipment (parking aid, navigation device etc.) increase the value stability.
- Maintain your car and avoid smoking in the car.
Car valuation after an accident
The car valuation after an accident is important to define the amount of the compensation payment.
After an accident with a total loss, the replacement residual value of the accident car are determined. The injured party is entitled to compensation for the damaged vehicle from the party responsible for the accident. Such compensations are usually paid by the insurance paid.
In this case, a look at the schwacke list or a calculation of the car value online is not sufficient. Determine the car value may in this case only one car appraiser.
The sum of the compensation payment is calculated by the replacement and residual value of the car. The replacement value indicates the amount that the injured party must invest in order to obtain an equivalent replacement for his accident vehicle. the residual value defines the value at which the accident car can still be sold.
If the car has been appraised by the valuer and the residual value has been defined, the vehicle must be sold by the damaged party. The selling price must not be less than the residual value of the car. If the sale price is higher, this must be reported to the insurance company.
What is my (desired) car worth??
If your choice for a new car is one of the following new car, so the new value is given by the manufacturer. therefore you do not have to ask yourself "how much is my (desired) car worth?", but can ask the price at the dealer. However, in most cases, you can use this price for bargain down.
If you want to buy a used car, you have to pay the determine used car price. On the internet you can also determine it. The used car value is to be determined with the above mentioned methods.
tips for buying a car
"what is my car worth?" – this question can be answered by a car valuation.
if you decide to buy a used car, you should first check sufficiently. In the run-up it is of course important to compare offers in order to acquire a used car as cheaply as possible. Once you have found a car that you like and that fits the price you have in mind, it is important to some questions to check:
- Is the vehicle externally in good condition?? Are there scratches, accident damage or rust present?
- Is the vehicle "tuned?
- How high is the tread depth of the tires?
- Do the windows have stone chips, cracks or scratches??
- Is the engine compartment in order? (oil, brake fluid and coolant)
- Is the interior in good condition? If the car was used for smoking or transporting animals?
- Do the electronics (from the lighting to the electric windows) work??
- Insist on a test drive
If the conditions of the car meet your expectations and the price is justified, you can have an drawing up the purchase contract and purchase the car. There are numerous templates on the internet for the purchase contract.
car appraisal for classic cars
classic cars represent a special case in the car valuation. This is where the time value price increasing from. A classic car is valued on the basis of condition notes (1- 5) rated. Condition grade "1" means that the classic car is in a defect-free condition and is comparable to a new car. Such oldtimers are hard to find and can have very high prices.
The classic car status can be obtained by cars, whose first registration 30 years the car has been used for a long time and can present a corresponding expert opinion. A classic car appraisal is also carried out by an automotive expert. In general, you should also take into account whether the value of a classic car spare parts can be purchased. Since the vehicles are very old, it is usually very difficult to obtain spare parts.
Stable value car
The market observers of DAT give a residual value forecast for 50 car models from. In this forecast can be read how much a current new car in three years still be worth. The basis is the difference between the new price and the subsequent dealer purchase price.
What is striking about the prognosis is that german models have the highest predicted residual value. With a residual value of 62.9 percent, the mercedes GLK is the car with the highest value retention.
One thought on " car valuation – what is my car worth? "
Thank you for this article on the subject of car evaluation. Interesting that with a used car, an expert should always be contacted to determine the value of the car. I would like to sell my old car and I am wondering if I should request the valuation myself or leave it to the buyer.