Estimate Vehicle Sale Price
Figuring out the approximate auction sale price for your vehicle is very simple. The Kelley Blue Book trade-in value (link and instructions below) is roughly equivalent to what the auction sale price will be. However some types of cars almost always sell above the Kelley Blue Book trade-in value while other types of cars sell at a slight discount to the Kelley Blue Book trade-in value.
Further down the page we explain in detail what types of cars usually sell at a premium and what types of cars may sell at a discount. We also provide actual examples below to show recent auction sale prices for various types of cars. The actual examples are very helpful for predicting an auction sale price if your car is in non-running condition or has collision damage.
Car is in fair or better condition and is 20 years old or newer:
To get a rough estimate of the probable auction sale price of your vehicle go to Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com) (opens new minimized window) and lookup the vehicle’s trade-in value. To find the trade-in value, follow these instructions when you get to the Kelley Blue Book home page:
- Click on the following: USED CAR VALUES BY MAKE AND MODEL
- Select year, make, model and press “Go”
- Click on Kelley Blue Book Trade-in Value
- Click on specific version of vehicle
- Enter transmission type, mileage, zip code, options, and rate the condition as “Fair” (even if you think you qualify for good)
The Kelley Blue Book Trade-in value you get will be an approximate auction value but be aware of the following:
- Pickups, 4WD vehicles, Popular muscle cars (Mustangs, Camaros, etc.), convertibles, German and Japanese cars, may sell at a significant premium to the Kelley Blue Book Trade-in value
- Ford, Chevrolet, Plymouth, Chrsyler, Pontiac, Dodge and other American passengers cars may sell at a discount to the Kelley Blue Book Trade-in value--especially with mileage over 100,000.
- Vehicles with weaker market share: Saab, Subaru, Volvo, Hyundai, Yugo, Kia, etc. may sell at a discount to the Kelley Blue Book Trade-in value
- Vehicles with 5 digit odometer displays may sell at a discount
- Vehicles with dead batteries may sell at a discount
- Non-registered vehicles may sell at a discount
- Extremely high mileage vehicles may sell at a discount
- In the North East (NY and above) vehicles may sell at a discount
- Vehicles with rust may sell at a discount
- Vehicles in obvious need of major repairs will sell at a discount
- Vehicles with collision damage will sell at a discount
Cars in less than fair condition:
If Kelley Blue Book rates your vehicle condition as "Poor" and you get a Trade-in value of less than $400 we may still be able to sell the car above $400 at auction based on its parts value alone. Generally this is the case with all vehicles 10 years and newer in "poor" condition (see actual examples below to get an idea how cars needing major repairs do at auction)
Cars older than twenty years
Classics do well at auctions but regular cars older than twenty years rarely sell above $200—even in good working condition.
Boats
Boats do very well at our auctions. Generally they sell for roughly 60-75% of their top retail value. See the boat sale examples at the bottom of the page.
Actual Examples of Recent Auction Sales
Premium Examples (sales within the last year)
- 1993 BMW 325is Coupe 2 Door
Mileage: 125,234
Condition: Blown engine, otherwise very good condition
Location: Seattle, WA
Kelley Blue Book Trade-in value “Fair Condition”: $2,000
CarAlternative.com Auction Sale Price: $3,500
Premium to Blue Book: 75%
- 1990 Honda Accord LX 2 Door
Mileage: 169,535
Condition: Clutch repair needed, otherwise very good condition
Location: Oakland, CA
Kelley Blue Book Trade-in value “Fair Condition”: $500
CarAlternative.com Auction Sale Price: $1,250
Premium to Blue Book: 250%
- 1994 Toyota Camry LE 2 Door
Mileage: 147,048
Condition: Front quarter panel smashed, otherwise very good condition
Location: Jersey City, NJ
Kelley Blue Book Trade-in value “Fair Condition”: $750
CarAlternative.com Auction Sale Price: $1,250
Premium to Blue Book: 66%
- 1988 Toyota Pickup
Mileage: 262,289
Condition: Fair
Location: Irvine, CA
Kelley Blue Book Trade-in value “Fair Condition”: $425
CarAlternative.com Auction Sale Price: $650
Premium to Blue Book: 53%
- 1994 Mazda B4000 Pickup SE Short Bed 4WD
Mileage: 124,742
Condition: Good
Location: Richmond, VA
Kelley Blue Book Trade-in value “Fair Condition”: $855
CarAlternative.com Auction Sale Price: $1,400
Premium to Blue Book: 63% - 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado
Mileage: 125,688
Condition: Poor to Fair
Location: Bothell, WA
Kelley Blue Book Trade-in value “Fair Condition”: not listed
CarAlternative.com Auction Sale Price: $725
Discount Examples (sales within the last year)
- 1998 Ford Escort Wagon 4D
Mileage: 94,834
Condition: Broken timing belt, otherwise fair to good
Location: San Jose, CA
Kelley Blue Book Trade-in value “Fair Condition”: $1,350
CarAlternative.com Auction Sale Price: $850
Discount to Blue Book: 38%
- 1995 Hyundai Scoupe Coupe 2D
Mileage: 94,834
Condition: Fair
Location: Denver, CO
Kelley Blue Book Trade-in value “Fair Condition”: $600
CarAlternative.com Auction Sale Price: $400
Discount to Blue Book: 33%
- 1995 Saab 900SE Hatchback 4D
Mileage: 143,268
Condition: Fair
Location: Hartford, CT
Kelley Blue Book Trade-in value “Fair Condition”: $600
CarAlternative.com Auction Sale Price: $325
Discount to Blue Book: 46%
- 1996 Saturn SC2
Mileage: 165,881
Condition: Engine failure, fair otherwise
Location: Anaheim, CA
Kelley Blue Book Trade-in value “Fair Condition”: $575
CarAlternative.com Auction Sale Price: $375
Discount to Blue Book: 35%
- 1993 Dodge Caravan
Mileage: 156,951
Condition: rough body, but fully-functional
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Kelley Blue Book Trade-in value “Fair Condition”: $410
CarAlternative.com Auction Sale Price: $350
Discount to Blue Book: 15% - 1993 Honda Civic
Mileage: 115,562
Condition: blown head gasket, major front end collision damage
Location: Seattle, WA
Kelley Blue Book Trade-in value “Fair Condition”: $1,150
CarAlternative.com Auction Sale Price: $650
Discount to Blue Book: 43% - 2005 Toyota Corolla
Mileage: 3,821
Condition: totalled by insurance company--body completely crushed
Location: Norman, OK
Kelley Blue Book Trade-in value “Fair Condition”: $11,025
CarAlternative.com Auction Sale Price: $3,500
Discount to Blue Book: 68%