Kelly Blue Book Car Prices: Handle with Care
Also known as the Kelley Blue Book, or KBB, the Kelly Blue Book is the industry leader for used car prices. However, this vital resource hides a secret: only a handful of its users know how the valuations are made and are likely to misinterpret the data. Sellers can overvalue their vehicle, while buyers may offer a lower price for the same car. When they meet, all deals are off. At the same time, sellers risks undervaluing their car and losing hundreds or thousands of dollars in the sale.
How can two people both use the Kelly Blue Book yet get completely different prices for the same automobile? Would you believe that neither of them are right--but they're not wrong either? As it turns out, the blue book website offers several valuation tools, and each presents different estimates. The untrained used car seller or buyer can easily run with whichever number they like best, only to learn it doesn't fly in the real world.
Upon closer inspection, you'll find that the Kelly Blue Book editors and researchers present these figures as starting points for the vehicle's value. Because every car is different, each auto must be evaluated by its unique merits. It's up to you to take this data and begin your own, in-depth evaluation of a car's worth.
Obstacles to Scoring Your Car's Top Blue Book Value
Does this sound like you? You're a decent driver who's taken care of your car, truck, or SUV. You've had no major accidents, your auto is free of dings or scratches, and in your opinion, it runs like a dream. So what's stopping you from asking for the top Kelly Blue Book value for your auto? Or rather, why won't anyone pay the Kelly Blue Book value for your car?
According to the Kelly Blue Book, only vehicles in "excellent" condition qualify for this price bracket. If you plan to list your used car for top dollar, KBB recommends that it:
Got all that? Well, there's more! The engine compartment must be clean and devoid of leaks, and there must be no visible defects or signs of wear.
But here's the part that sends even the most seasoned car owners into a tizzy: To be considered in "excellent condition," an auto must pass the above requirements and come with complete and verifiable service records. Fewer than 5% of all used vehicles meet these requirements, yet most sellers overlook the fine print of the estimated valuation and attempt to charge the maximum asking price--only to discover that personal buyers almost always refuse to pay.
At this point, we wouldn't blame you for giving up and running to an auto dealership. But we have to warn you to expect the lowest price possible for your vehicle. That doesn't sound like much of a trade-off, does it?
How to Get Past Blue Book Pricing Hurdles
You can come out ahead, as long as you know where to turn. There's a group of auto experts who work extensively with the Kelly Blue Book, and they can bring you closer to the magic number than you can on your own. These experts are known as auto buying specialists, and it doesn't get any easier than working with them.
We at Cash4UsedCars.net are Southern California's largest and most respected auto buying service, and we have over 25 years' experience working with Kelly Blue Book and other pricing 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 haggling, no mind games, no paperwork, no title or smog checks, no costly auto inspections. We'll even handle transport for the vehicle.
Click here now, and a trusted valuation expert will be in touch shortly.
