The short version
- Typical range: £800 – £8,000
- Biggest single factor: condition — see the table below
- Category: Vehicles
- Cost to sell on WishThrift: nothing, at any price
What a used car is worth by condition
Condition does more to the price than anything else. These figures are worked from the top of the range for cars, so treat them as a starting point and adjust for the specifics of yours.
| Condition | Typical price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £8,000 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £6,800 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £5,200 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £3,600 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £2,000 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
These are the five grades WishThrift listings use, and sellers set the grade themselves — see what each condition grade means. Figures are shown in pounds as a reference point. On WishThrift prices display in your own currency, and sellers set their own asking price.
What raises the value of a car
- Full service history with stamps and receipts
- Long remaining test where applicable
- Fewer previous owners
- Recent cambelt, tyres and brakes with proof
What lowers it
- Missing service history, which buyers discount heavily
- Outstanding finance, which prevents a clean sale
- Accident damage and recorded write-off categories
- Warning lights left unresolved
How to work out what yours is worth
- Gather the service book, receipts and test history
- Check the vehicle against a history database
- Note mileage, owner count and exact specification
Once you have those three answers you can place your own car on the table above with reasonable confidence. If it sits between two rows, price it toward the lower one — items priced honestly sell faster than items priced hopefully.
Ready to sell it? Listing on WishThrift is free, there is no commission, and you keep the full amount you agree with the buyer — see how selling works or create a free account.
Frequently asked questions
What affects a used car’s value most?
Documented service history, then condition of consumables. Mileage matters less than owners expect when the history is complete.
Should I disclose an accident repair?
Always. Vehicle histories are checked routinely, and an undisclosed repair discovered later can void the sale.
Is it worth servicing before selling?
A recent service with a receipt often returns more than it costs, because it removes a reason for the buyer to negotiate.
More value guides: vehicles guides · all value guides · browse live vehicles listings.