How to Use the Blue Book to Find What Your Car Is Worth

Find accurate vehicle values.

Whether you want to sell your vehicle on your own, trade it in to a dealership or wonder what retail value is for a car you're considering, Kelley Blue Book has the answer. Although Kelley Blue Book offers an appraisal guide, the results you find are merely a guide and do not provide definitive values. To get a better idea of how values can fluctuate, visit the Edmunds and NADA websites to see the differences in appraisal values. Use a median of the results for realistic expectations.

Instructions

1. Go straight to the vehicle you want an appraisal for by clicking the "Year, Make & Model" link from the Used Car section of Kelley's homepage.

2. Use the drop down menus on the next page to select your vehicle. Select the correct year, make and model. Click "Go" to continue. In the pop-up window, enter your zip code.

3. Select the value you want for appraisal. 'Suggested Retail Value' offers prices for what you can expect to pay at the dealer. 'Certified Pre-Owned Value' suggests the retail amount for a vehicle from the dealer that includes an extended warranty from the car manufacturer. 'Trade-In Value' is what you can expect to receive from a dealer if trading in your car towards another--this amount is also known as wholesale value. 'Private Party Value' is an estimate of what you can sell your car for in a private transaction.

4. Select the accurate trim level from the results page. If you are unsure of the trim level, click on one to review standard features. Pre-checked options are standard for the model you chose. The transmission or engine information is also standard for the model--return to the previous page and click models until you find the right one.

5. Review the standard features to ensure accuracy. Features with boxes left unchecked signify optional features for the model. Check any relevant boxes by clicking your mouse next to the option and click "Continue."

6. Choose the condition of the vehicle. Read through the descriptions of each condition to ensure you choose the right one. Most used cars found in dealer lots should be in good or fair condition. Only select 'Excellent' if the used car is still relatively new and in perfect condition.

7. Review your values from the results page. If you also want to view the retail, sale or trade value, click on the option from the left hand menu to change results.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Kelley Blue Book
• NADA Guides
• Edmunds