One Car, Multiple Blue Book Values: Which Should You Believe?
Hypothetically, you should be able to locate your car's blue book value and put up a listing for it in minutes, find a buyer in days, and seal the transaction shortly after, all on the Internet. But none of this is as easy as it sounds, and the confusion starts when you try to get an accurate valuation from Kelley Blue Book.
The Kelley Blue Book is the de facto standard for used car sales, and it's widely considered to be the leading authority on the topic. Many users mistakenly regard its numbers as set in stone, which leads to the too common scenario: buyer and seller argue over whose KBB valuation should win out.
How is it that two people can get completely different blue book values for the exact same car? For that answer, look to the blue book website, where you'll find several valuation tools that offer varying estimates. It might not seem like it, but this range of figures is meant to work to your advantage. However, Kelley Blue Book's editors and researchers acknowledge that the numbers are only starting points. Because every car and driver are different, each auto must be evaluated by its own merits.
Why Your Car Won't Sell for the Highest Blue Book Value
Sure, you're an exemplary driver who has loved and cared for your car. You've never been in a major accident. Your car shows no dings or scratches, and as far as you can tell, the vehicle still purrs like a kitten. So why shouldn't you ask for your auto's top Kelley Blue Book value? Or put it this way: you may find yourself asking: Why won't anyone buy my car at its top Kelley Blue Book value?
According to the Kelley Blue Book, only vehicles in "excellent" condition qualify for this price bracket. To get top dollar, your used car needs to meet these KBB recommendations:
Wait, 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 if you want to see car owners really lose it, tell them that an auto in "excellent condition" must pass all the above requirements and come with complete and verifiable service records. Fewer than 5% of all used vehicles meet these substantial requirements, yet most sellers, skimming over the fine print of the estimated valuation, charge top dollar--only to find that private buyers nearly always refuse to pay.
It almost makes you want to throw in the towel and speed over to the nearest auto dealership, doesn't it? But before you slam the pedal to the metal, keep in mind that you're trading in one headache for another. In place of Kelley Blue Book's troubling figures, you'll face the dealer's low-ball offer for your used car, followed up by pressure to buy a new one.
Put Down the Blue Book, Pick Up the Mouse
The Kelley Blue Book isn't the villain, especially when it's in the right hands. You don't have to be a Blue Book whiz when there's a group of auto experts who can get you closer to that magic value than you can on your own. At the same time, they won't try to pull one over on you either. 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 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 too, 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. Within 30 minutes of appraisal, we'll present you with a purchase offer, 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. We look forward to doing business with you.
