What affects a car’s price?
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Age | The age identifier on the number plate shows when the registration was issued, and newer cars usually sell for more. |
| Mileage | Lower mileage for the car’s age usually means a higher price. |
| Service history | A full service history shows the car has been looked after. Part history or none lowers the price. |
| Condition | Dents, scratches, kerbed wheels, worn tyres and interior wear all come off the price. |
| MOT record | Advisories that haven’t been sorted, and an MOT that’s due soon, affect the price. |
| Keys | A missing spare key lowers the price. |
| Cambelt | If the engine has a cambelt that’s due, it matters whether it has been changed. |
| Demand | Some makes and models are in more demand than others at any given time. |
| History | A write-off, an import, modifications or previous use as a taxi all need a closer look. |
Finance doesn’t change what the car is worth to us, but it changes how the money is split: we settle the finance directly with your lender and pay you the difference. See selling a car with outstanding finance.
How does your instant price work?
Type your reg on the number plate on our homepage and answer a few quick questions in four short steps:
- Your car. We find the car on its official MOT record. Check the make and model, and add today’s mileage.
- Your details. Your name, mobile number, email address and postcode, and a tick to confirm you’re entitled to sell the car.
- Condition. Quick taps: how many keys, the service history, finance, the V5C, whether it starts and drives, any write-off history and any faults. If we know your engine has a cambelt, we ask whether it has been changed. Any advisories from the last MOT are listed, each with a “has it been sorted?” choice.
- Damage. Tap the picture of the car to show any dents, scratches or kerbed wheels, and tell us about any warning lights.
Your price is worked out with the rules our own buyers set, from live market data and your car’s MOT record, together with your answers. The first few questions are needed for your price; the more you tell us, the firmer it is. Your price page explains anything that has lowered your price.
Why does a buyer sometimes call instead?
Some cars need one of our buyers to look at the details before we can give a price. When that happens, a buyer calls you within 30 minutes (9am–6pm Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm Sat); outside those hours, we call first thing the next working morning. The usual reasons are:
- the car is rare, high-value or unusual
- the MOT has run out, or the car failed its last MOT
- the car doesn’t start or drive, has a warning light on, or has major damage
- it has been imported or modified
- the V5C is lost or not in your name
- some MOT advisories, such as corrosion to the car’s structure, leaks or warning lights
What does the price promise mean?
- Guaranteed for 7 days if the vehicle is as you described it.
- No surprise drops: we only change the price if the car isn’t as you described, and we show you what and why before you decide.
- Paid by bank transfer before the car leaves you.
- Free collection anywhere in the UK, or drop-off at our Bromsgrove site.
The Used Car Buyers is a trading name of The Drivers Gallery Ltd, an active dealership in Bromsgrove with its own forecourt, prep centre and drivers.
General information only, not advice about your own situation. Your price depends on your car and your answers.