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How to Avoid Buying or Selling a Used Car at the Wrong Price

No two cars are identical but excellent tools exist for pinpointing the value of a used car either for sale or purchase. Avoid getting ripped off by taking the same steps professionals do when appraising a vehicle. Follow our step-by-step processes and walk away a confident consumer.
How To Fairly Value Your Used Car
It’s exciting buying a car, new or used, but it can be stressful getting rid of your current one. That’s why most people take the path of least resistance and trade their used cars in. They want to avoid the hassle of selling it on their own. Regardless of your decision, it’s important you know the true value of your car before entering into negotiations over its price. There are three values for any used car: the trade-in price, the private party price, and, the retail price.
Kelley Blue Book
It’s been in the business the longest when it comes to setting values for cars.
National Automobile Dealers Association
Just like domestic car manufacturers are known as The Big 3, there are the Big 3 of car values: Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.Com and the NADA.
Costs To Repair
This is a good site for determining what something is going to cost if it’s broken on a vehicle you’re selling or buying. Use this information to knock some cash off the price if you’re a buyer or to set a more honest price if you’re a seller.
Good Condition Definitions
This isn’t an endorsement of this company and the vehicles it sells (even though coincidentally it’s almost in my backyard). Instead, it’s a recognition of good definitions of a car’s condition. Follow it to honestly assess your car’s condition.

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