Want to sell your car? Checking its value and selling in Peterborough is fast, easy and free with Motorway

Find out for free what your vehicle is worth today. Picture – supplied

Do you know how your car’s value is changing? There’s no need to guess what you could get for your vehicle – try Motorway’s free car value tracker.

Although over eight million used cars are bought and sold in the UK every year, 65 per cent of us knowingly accept a bad deal for our car. Some of us aren’t confident enough on price, and some are simply not up for the hassle of haggling.

Whatever the reason for missing out on potentially thousands in value, you can get ahead by tracking your ongoing valuation for free on Motorway’s Car Value Tracker.

Track your car’s value with the free tracker. Picture – supplied

What is my car worth right now?

To get an instant, free valuation based on live sales data, just enter your reg and mileage on Motorway’s site. Knowing what your car is worth helps you decide on when it’s worth selling, to make the most of your money.

To stay on top of your valuation as it changes, based on the market movements that affect used car pricing, sign up for Motorway’s free service, Car Value Tracker, which shows you your historic valuations for up to six cars, plotted on a graph so you can see how fast or slowly your car is changing in value.

Why has my car value changed?

Car Value Tracker gives you even more insights into your car’s valuation than checking your value from time to time. Picture – supplied

It’s hard to tell what’s going to influence used car pricing, but here are the main areas to pay attention to, especially the ‘big three’ of age, mileage, and condition.

Age: Typically, cars lose value quickly in the first few years that follow their initial registration. Selling a nearly-new car could get you a similar price to selling a four or five-year-old car, which is why it’s important to track your value. When your price holds, or drops slowly, you’re getting the most value out of your car.

Mileage: If your mileage is lower than average (which, these days, looks like approx 8,000 per year) then your car’s value will be strong, compared to similar models on the market. Looking after your mileage is a good way to preserve value.

Condition: The exterior and interior condition tells your buyer how much pride you take in your car, and is a direct indicator of value. Your buyer will insist on discounts to cover the cost of repairs (and then some) if you haven’t taken good care of your car. Keeping hold of all your service history is key, particularly if you have a very popular car model. Proof of quality maintenance will keep your car value strong among similar models on the market.

You may be surprised to see the difference in depreciation trends between different cars. Picture – supplied

Fuel type: Diesel cars that aren’t compliant with Euro 6 regulations (likely first registered before 2016) are subject to Clean Air Zones charges like ULEZ, as well as higher road tax bands and fuel levies. With emissions policies changing all the time, it’s worth bearing in mind how your ongoing running costs might affect your valuation going forward.

Supply of new cars: The 2020s started with supply chain shortages for new cars, which drove up the prices of used cars. The industry is now catching up to pre-covid levels of new car registrations, meaning that average used car prices have dropped a little.

2035 and Net Zero: The UK government has delayed the ban on the sale of new fossil fuel engine cars from 2030 to 2035. This has created some uncertainty in the automotive industry, as companies decide how to respond and motorists consider what cars they should be driving (and are affordable) over the next few years.

Multiple owners: Vehicles will drop value quicker the more owners they have. It’s normal for cars in the UK to change hands 2-3 times, but minimising sales will shore up its value.

Motorway’s free Car Value Tracker gives you personalised insights based on the current used-car market, so it’s easy to know whether it’s a good time for you to sell your car. Picture – supplied

Accident history: It’s quick to background-check vehicles for write-off status. Unfortunately, even if your car runs perfectly and looks good, if an insurer has ever declared it Cat S or Cat N, the value will generally always be relatively low.

Colour: Believe it or not, your car’s colour and other cosmetic features have a part to play in keeping its value healthy. For the best resale value, opt to stick to classic colours such as black and grey, and interiors with wide appeal.

Car Value Tracker displays personalised insights so you can understand how the verified dealers in Motorway’s network assess cars just like yours, and how factors such as the above can move your valuation.

What cars are selling in Peterborough?

Peterborough residents are selling all types of cars on Motorway. The most commonly-sold models are Nissan Qashqai, Ford Fiesta, and Mini Cooper in white, black, and blue colours.

With nearly as many diesel cars selling in Peterborough as petrol cars, it seems that drivers in the East of England are conscious of upgrading to compliant, cleaner vehicles. With nearby Bedford scored Motorway’s #3 UK city for EV ownership, if you’re looking to upgrade your vehicle in Peterborough, you could find the EV transition relatively easy.

When you sell your car on Motorway, a network of over 5,000 verified dealers around the UK compete to give you their best price. They’ll collect your car from your home or work, regardless of where in the country they are based – and it’s all for free.

Get started now by checking your valuation to see what you could get for your car.