How to Calculate the Worth of a Used Auto

The more information you have regarding a used auto, the more effective you will be at calculating its worth. Before you purchase an automobile, make sure you are not overpaying. All the features of an automobile, in addition to its condition, are taken into consideration when assigning a price to a car. A used car with dents and scraps and chipped paint will be worth less than one without. High mileage can also decrease the value of an automobile.

Instructions

1

Gather all the facts, features and benefits of your automobile. You will need to know the general overall condition of your car. The make, model and year are also needed.

2

Go to the National Automobile Dealership Association website nadaguides.com, and key in all of the information for your used car. Go to the location that says "Get New and Used Card Pricing." Click on the button that says "Start here."

3

Select the make of your automobile. Next select the style and design. Click on the selection that asks about the number of doors your car has. Enter your mileage. Put a check mark by all of the optional equipment that applies to your car, such as air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, cruise control or power sunroof.

4

Hit the "Enter" or "Submit" button and review the used car prices for your car. You will be provided with four different prices. The values will be as follows, based on the condition of the car: Rough Trade-in, Average Trade-in, Clean Trade-in and Clean Retail.

5

Read the description for each condition. If you want to find out exactly what each description means, move your cursor over the wording. If you move your cursor over "Rough Trade-in," you will see a pop-up box that describes the condition of a rough trade-in value.