How Not to Get Tripped Up by Your Auto's Blue Book Value
In this day and age, you'd think you'd be able to get your auto's blue book value instantly, simply by entering your data on a website. You should also be able to immediately place an ad for your car, take your pick of eager buyers, and close the deal without even leaving your home. Unfortunately, that's not the reality most car sellers currently face, and the mix-up begins when you attempt to get an accurate valuation for your vehicle from the Kelley Blue Book.
Though the Kelley Blue Book is widely known as the foremost authority on used auto values, many of its readers make a common mistake: they see its numbers as gospel. This often leads to a common disagreement where the buyer and seller can't decide whose KBB valuation is correct.
Is either party correct, and how did they get two different blue book values for the same automobile in the first place? Unfortunately, they probably both went to the blue book website, which offers several valuation tools. In turn, each tool presents different estimates.
Despite appearances, these numbers aren't meant to confuse. Kelley Blue Book's editors and researchers intend their figures to serve as jumping-off points for the vehicle's value, not as the last word. Armed with that information, you're supposed to begin your own, more personal, evaluation of an car's worth. After all, every car and driver are different, and each auto must be seen on its own merits.
Why Your Vehicle's Top Blue Book Value Eludes You
Let's consider your car's merits: It hasn't been in a major accident. It has no dings or scratches, and it's not too shabby in the performance department, if you do say so yourself. So why shouldn't you demand the top Kelley Blue Book value when you put your auto up for sale? Or rather, why do you find yourself asking: Why won't anyone pay the Kelley Blue Book value for my car?
According to the Kelley Blue Book, a vehicle must be in "excellent" condition to qualify for this price bracket, and KBB recommends that it:
Dig a little deeper, and you'll find more KBB requirements. The engine compartment must also be clean and devoid of leaks, and there must be no visible defects or signs of wear.
Hold on, we're not done. An auto in "excellent condition" must hit all the points mentioned above and come with complete and verifiable service records. Fewer than 5% of all used vehicles fulfill these extensive requirements, yet most sellers, skipping over the fine print of the estimated valuation, proceed to charge top dollar--only to learn that private parties almost never pay that much.
It makes you want to take two aspirin and seek out the closest auto dealership, doesn't it? But before you break open that childproof seal, keep in mind that your headache isn't going away just yet. You're just trading in Kelley Blue Book's puzzling numbers for the dealer's insulting offer for your used car, followed by pressure to buy a new one.
Don't Let the Blue Book or the Dealers Burn You
The Kelley Blue Book doesn't have to be the problem, especially in the right hands. There's a group of auto experts who can get you within spitting range of that magic valuation without the hassle of a private party sale, and they won't take advantage of you either. These experts are known as auto buying specialists, and they make it as easy as possible.
We, at Cash4UsedCars.net, are Southern California's largest and most respected auto buying service, and we have over 25 years' experience working with Kelley Blue Book and other valuation tools. We've bought and sold over 50,000 used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs. We can buy yours, and we often have a standing offer for it before we even pick it up!
Give us a call or fill out our contact request form. We'll immediately set up an appointment to view your car at your convenience. We'll present you with a purchase offer within 30 minutes of appraisal, and most importantly, we'll take the car off your hands with zero hassle or cost to you. No paperwork, no title or smog checks, no costly auto inspections--we'll even handle transportation of the vehicle.
Click here now, and a trusted valuation expert will be in touch shortly.
