What's My Car Worth?

Get your car's real private party value — not dealer lowball offers or inflated listing prices. Know exactly what buyers are paying for cars like yours.

Same app buyers use to negotiate you down — now use it to defend your price.

Happy couple completing a private car sale with cash

Tired of Lowball Offers and Guessing Games?

Most sellers either leave thousands on the table or price too high and watch their car sit for months. Without real data, you're negotiating blind.

  • Dealers lowball you — trade-in offers are 20-30% below what you'd get selling private party
  • KBB and Edmunds show "book value" — not what real people actually pay on Marketplace and Nextdoor
  • Buyers try to talk you down — pointing out every flaw with no proof of what's fair
  • You don't know how to price issues — that dent, those worn tires, that check engine light

The CarValueScout Difference

We're the Private Party Guru — helping everyday people sell their cars quickly, efficiently, and at a fair price.

Real Private Party Prices

Get pricing based on what cars like yours actually sell for on Autotrader, Facebook Marketplace, and private sales — not dealer estimates or outdated book values.

Adjust for Your Car's Condition

Worn tires? Cracked windshield? Check engine light? Our visual checklist and OBD-II decoder show exactly how each issue affects your price — so you can price accurately.

Local Market Data

Car prices vary by location. Enter your ZIP code and get values specific to your local market — not a national average that doesn't reflect what buyers near you will pay.

PDF Proof for Buyers

Generate a professional PDF report to show potential buyers. When they try to lowball you, show them documented market data. It's hard to argue with the numbers.

Know Your Car's True Value

in 4 Simple Steps

1

Enter Your VIN

Or use Year/Make/Model. We decode your vehicle's exact specs automatically.

2

Add Mileage & ZIP

Mileage is the #1 factor in private party pricing. Location affects local demand.

3

Note Any Issues

Check engine light? Worn tires? Use our checklist to factor in condition adjustments.

4

Get Your Report

Receive your fair market value plus a PDF to share with buyers as proof.

Be Ready for Every Objection

Smart buyers will scan your car for check engine codes and point out every flaw. With CarValueScout, you'll be one step ahead.

  • Know your OBD codes first — enter any check engine codes to see what they mean and what repairs cost. Decide if it's worth fixing before you list.
  • Do your own walk-around — use our 50-point visual checklist to identify every issue. No surprises when the buyer shows up.
  • Price with confidence — your adjusted "As-Is" value already accounts for every issue. Your price is fair and defensible.
  • Shut down lowball offers — show your PDF report when buyers try to negotiate. Data beats opinions.
Professional PDF car valuation reports

Should I Fix It Before I Sell?

CarValueScout shows you exactly how much each issue reduces your car's value — so you can make smart decisions.

Worn Tires

New tires cost $600-$1,000. But buyers will deduct $800+ from your price. Sometimes it's worth fixing — our report helps you decide.

Check Engine Light

Could be a $50 sensor or a $3,000 problem. Enter the codes to find out before you price your car — or lose the sale.

Cosmetic Damage

Dents, scratches, torn seats — they all affect value. Our visual checklist shows exactly how much to adjust your price.

Have a Well-Maintained Car?

Prove It to Buyers.

If you've taken good care of your vehicle — regular oil changes, scheduled maintenance, recalls addressed — that's a major selling point. But buyers won't just take your word for it.

Our Vehicle History Report documents everything: service records, accident history (or lack thereof), recall status, title history, and number of previous owners. Hand this to a buyer and watch their confidence — and willingness to pay your asking price — go up.

  • Service records — proof you stayed on top of maintenance
  • Accident-free history — if applicable, this is gold
  • Recalls addressed — shows you handled safety issues
  • Clean title — no liens, no salvage, no flood damage
🏆

Your Car's Report Card

What buyers will see

Accident History No Accidents
Service Records 12 Records
Open Recalls None
Title Status Clean
Previous Owners 1 Owner

This kind of report makes buyers confident in your car.

Complete Market Intelligence

Want ALL the Values?

Our Vehicle History Report gives you the complete picture — not just private party value, but trade-in AND dealer retail prices.

Trade-In Value — what dealers would offer you
Private Party Value — what buyers will pay you directly
Dealer Retail Value — what dealerships charge customers

💡 Pro Tip: If your asking price is lower than dealer retail, that's a powerful negotiating point. Show buyers they're getting a deal compared to buying from a lot — and they'll be more confident paying your price.

Example: 2019 Honda Accord EX

Trade-In Value

$16,200

Private Party Value

$18,750

Dealer Retail

$21,500

Selling private party puts $2,550 more in your pocket vs. trade-in

Questions Sellers Ask

What if my car has been well-maintained?

That's your biggest advantage! But buyers won't just take your word for it. Our Vehicle History Report ($15.99) documents your car's service records, accident history, recall status, and title history. If you've kept up with maintenance and your car has a clean record, this report is powerful proof that justifies your asking price. Hand it to a buyer and watch their confidence go up.

Get your Vehicle History Report →

How do I find out my car's trade-in value?

Our Vehicle History Report ($15.99) includes trade-in value, private party value, AND dealer retail value — all three numbers you need to make smart decisions. Just enter your VIN and get the complete picture. Knowing all three values gives you serious negotiating power: you can show buyers exactly how much they're saving compared to dealer prices.

Important: The Vehicle History Report shows market values based on your car's year, make, model, and mileage — but it doesn't account for specific issues like check engine codes or wear items (tires, brakes, etc.). For a complete "As-Is" value that factors in your car's actual condition, you'll also want our $3 Condition Report to adjust for any issues and get your true selling price.

Get your Vehicle History Report →

How is this different from Kelley Blue Book?

KBB shows "book value" based on estimates. CarValueScout shows you what cars like yours actually sell for in the private party market — real transactions from real people. Plus, we factor in condition adjustments for any issues your car has, so your price is accurate and defensible.

Why shouldn't I just trade it in at a dealer?

Trade-in values are typically 20-30% lower than private party values. That's thousands of dollars you're leaving on the table. Yes, selling private party takes more effort — but CarValueScout makes it easier by giving you the data and PDF proof to sell quickly at the right price.

But if you do decide to trade in: Bring your CarValueScout report with you! If the dealer offers you less than the documented trade-in value, you have proof to push back. Show them the numbers and say "I don't like that offer — the data shows my car is worth more." It's much harder for them to lowball you when you have documentation.

Is this service free?

CarValueScout reports start at $3 per credit. You can try a demo for free to see how it works, but generating your actual vehicle report requires purchasing credits. Think of it as a small investment to potentially gain thousands more on your sale.

What if my car has a check engine light?

No problem! Enter your OBD-II codes (you can get them scanned free at AutoZone or O'Reilly) and we'll tell you exactly what's wrong, how serious it is, and what repairs typically cost. You can then decide whether to fix it or adjust your price accordingly.

Handy with tools? Our app also includes links to YouTube videos showing how to do common repairs yourself. Fix it before you sell, save on labor costs, and get a better price for your car.

How does the PDF report help me sell?

When a buyer shows up and tries to negotiate you down, you hand them a professional report showing exactly how the price was calculated — market value, condition adjustments, everything. It's much harder to argue with documented data than just "I think it's worth less."

I'm also helping someone buy a car. Can I use CarValueScout for that?

Absolutely! CarValueScout was originally built for buyers — to help them avoid overpaying and spot hidden problems. The same reports work both ways. Check out our buyer's page for more on how we help people buy used cars with confidence.

Ready to Sell Your Car for What It's Worth?

Stop guessing. Get your real private party value, prepare for buyer objections, and sell faster with data on your side.

Credits never expire • PDF reports you can print and share • Works on any device