used car value without registration plate or chassis details

[r1monkey]

Are there any sites that will give a used car valuation without the reg number? I.e by manufacturer and model.
A car I was looking at has an advert with a private plate shown in the photos but that plate is now on a different vehicle so I can't get a guide price to see what the car is worth.

[Wilmslowboy]

Unless it’s a very unique car, a quick scan of autotrader should get a reg plate of a similar make, model, age car - and then enter the appropriate milage.

[BlindedByTheLights]

Ask the seller what the reg is maybe?

[J1990]

Spend 30 seconds finding the reg of the r same make and model on AutoTrader.

If the car is too rare to do there above then it’s also likely to receive a very inaccurate valuation from any of these ‘instant valuation’ companies.

[r1monkey]

The problem is that I can see what manufacturer dealers and general dealers are advertising for but for some reason private sellers seem to think that their car is worth the same as a dealer.

[OutInTheShed]

r1monkey said:

The problem is that I can see what manufacturer dealers and general dealers are advertising for but for some reason private sellers seem to think that their car is worth the same as a dealer.

Private sellers often expect to negotiate.

[r1monkey]

I know but why not just ask for a reasonable price and risk wasting your money on advertising. I will not ring the seller because I don’t want to have them thinking that I am being an ass by saying i will not come to view the car unless it is £4k cheaper.
But they are the ones £4k above the private sale price.

[BlindedByTheLights]

Just make them an offer and negotiate. I just bought a car for over £2000 less than advertised by the private seller.

[Jamescrs]

If you think the seller is going to be offended by you trying to get them to reduce the price by 4k then adding in WBAC says its worth x amount isn't really going to help.you either.

To be honest if I am.selling a car and a buyer came in and said WBAC says its worth this amount and thats what ill pay id likely just take it to WBAC so I didnt have to deal with private buyers.

As others have said above you would be better to gauge its value based on others for sale not what a car buying service will pay

[r1monkey]

I am not talking about the wbac prices. Parkers and auto trader give a price that is supposedly where you should be looking at pricing an advert if you are selling privately.

[Wilmslowboy]

r1monkey said:

I am not talking about the wbac prices. Parkers and auto trader give a price that is supposedly where you should be looking at pricing an advert if you are selling privately.

If you start a ‘sell your car’ on autotrader, once you enter reg and miles, it gives a target private sale price, I’ve found this to be useful in the past.


I just popped my own car details in, Autotrader suggested £37,850 (WBAC are £35,600 and similar car retail listed at minimum £41,950)

Edited by Wilmslowboy on Sunday 11th June 08:02

[r1monkey]

I have just gone to the autotrader and the first thing that it asks for is the registration number ,which I do not have.

I have now though found that Parkers do actually still have a pricing system whereby I can get a valuation by the vehicle make rather than the registration plate. It does cost for a proper valuation but there are options to buy a months worth of them ,so that is the route I am now going down ....
Thanks for everyones input.
At least I now have a way of gauging if a price is reasonable before I ring them or not.

[robemcdonald]

A couple of thoughts

Why not give the seller a call; ask a few questions then work up to “is there any negotiation on price?”

How much is the car you’re looking at?

[r1monkey]

The car i am looking at is £38000 ,which is the same price as comparable ones from a main dealer that would give me a manufacturer warranty .
It is nearly the spec that I want but not quite.
(White seats and truck mechanics don’t mix too well.)