It’s good to always know the value of your car, whether you may trade it in, sell it, or are just keeping track of the value of one of your assets.
From my experience as an auto broker, I think two of the most accurate appraisal services are Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book.
By comparing the two appraisals, you’ll have a very good idea of what your car is worth. And they’re both free, of course.
One reason I trust both is that they identify your specific vehicle by its VIN or license plate. Edmunds also uses actual sales and trade-in data from thousands of dealerships, which is a known plus. Kelley Blue Book’s process is mostly proprietary, but its results are still quite good, although they can sometimes be a little more optimistic than Edmunds.
The Kelley Blue Book form takes a couple of minutes to fill in. Edmunds may take a minute or two longer because it asks more specific yes-or-no questions about your car’s condition. I believe that extra detail may give Edmunds the slight edge in terms of accuracy, but they are both highly regarded in this field.
So, yes, get both. It takes little time, gives you more than one reference point, are the auto industry's standard and, perhaps somewhat begrudgingly but most importantly, taken seriously by car dealers.
Common Questions
Why Are KBB and Edmunds Trade-In Values Different?
KBB and Edmunds use different valuation methods, data, and assumptions, so their estimates will not always match. Both consider details about your vehicle and its market, but they may weigh those details differently.
Before focusing on the difference, make sure you are comparing the same kind of number. A trade-in value is an estimate of what you might receive from a dealer. A private-party value concerns selling directly to another person. A dealer’s retail asking price is what the dealer hopes to receive after taking on the costs and risks of selling the car. Those figures serve different purposes.
Also check that both appraisals use the correct trim, engine, drivetrain, options, mileage, ZIP code, and condition. A small difference in the information you enter can produce a noticeable difference in the result.
Which Is More Accurate for Trade-In Value: KBB or Edmunds?
Neither is consistently more accurate for every vehicle. Both provide useful estimates, but neither can tell you exactly what every dealer will pay for your particular car.
Suppose KBB estimates your trade-in at $16,000 and Edmunds estimates it at $14,800. The higher number is not automatically right, and the lower number is not automatically more realistic. A dealer may want your vehicle for its used-car inventory, or it may see repairs that reduce what it can offer.
Is a KBB Trade-In Value the Same as a KBB Instant Cash Offer?
You'll also be asked if you want a no-obligation cash offer for your vehicle, so, no. KBB’s Trade-In value is an estimate; a KBB Instant Cash Offer is an offer you may be able to redeem at a participating dealer after the vehicle is verified. The offer may be higher or lower than a figure in the estimated range.
The trade-in estimate helps you evaluate a dealer’s proposal. The Instant Cash Offer gives you a possible alternative buyer. Keep a copy of the offer and read its terms, including its expiration date and inspection requirements.
And also bear in mind that a dealer's trade-in allowance is deducted from the sales price of the vehicle you are buying, so this reduces the sales tax charged. This could partially or completely offset a higher cash offer.
Is an Edmunds Trade-In Appraisal the Same as a CarMax Offer?
Like KBB, you will be offered a no-obligation optional cash offer to sell your car, so again, no. Edmunds’ trade-in appraisal is an estimate, while an eligible CarMax offer obtained through Edmunds is an offer to buy the car, subject to verification. Look at the wording on your results page so you know which one you received.
An Edmunds estimate is still very useful even if you do not receive an instant offer. If you do receive a CarMax offer, save it and check when it expires. You can then compare it with the dealer’s appraisal or consider selling your vehicle separately.
And again, the dealer's trade-in allowance is deducted from the price of the vehicle you are purchasing and reduces the sales tax charged. When you factor this in, a lower dealer offer could be better. You'll have to do the math.
What If KBB and Edmunds Give Me Very Different Values?
First, check the vehicle details and condition you entered on each site. Then request actual offers if your car qualifies. A large gap between estimates is a reason to gather more information, not a reason to assume one company made a mistake.
Pay particular attention to the condition descriptions. You may think of your car as being in excellent shape because it has been reliable and well maintained. An appraiser may also consider worn tires, paint damage, interior wear, warning lights, or repairs needed before resale.
Why Might a Dealer Offer Less Than My KBB or Edmunds Appraisal?
The dealer may value your car differently after inspecting its condition, checking its history, and estimating what it will cost to prepare for resale. An online appraisal cannot see every scratch, worn tire, warning light, or mechanical issue.
The dealership’s own needs matter, too. One dealer may want your model for its lot; another may expect to send it to auction, likely leading to a lower offer since he'll be trying to make a profit selling it in the wholesale market.
If the dealer’s offer is substantially below your online estimates, always request specific details that account for the difference. A specific answer helps you decide whether a lower amount may be justified.
Can a KBB or Edmunds Cash Offer Change After Inspection?
Yes. An offer can change if the car’s condition, history, mileage, equipment, or other details do not match the information supplied online. Both KBB Instant Cash Offers and CarMax offers obtained through Edmunds involve verifying the vehicle.
Describe your car as accurately as you can when requesting an offer. If the amount changes after inspection, ask what the buyer found and how it affected the price. You can then compare the revised amount with your other offers.
How Do Two Appraisals Help Me Negotiate My Trade-In?
Two appraisals help you judge whether a dealer’s offer deserves a closer look; and competing cash offers give you an alternative if the dealer will not pay enough. They are most useful when you understand the difference between an estimated value and an amount a buyer has offered to pay.
For example, imagine Edmunds estimates your trade-in at $15,000–$16,500 and KBBs estimates it at $15,800–$17,000. The overlapping ranges suggest that asking for at least $15,800 may be reasonable, but they do not guarantee anyone will pay it.
Now suppose you also have a current $15,800 CarMax offer obtained through Edmunds. That gives you a specific alternative, provided your car meets the offer’s terms. You can ask the dealer to match or beat it, when including the sales tax effect, and avoid debating which appraisal is more accurate.
What Should I Say If the Dealer’s Trade-In Offer Is Too Low?
Show the dealer your best current offer and ask whether they can match or beat it without changing the rest of the deal. Keep the conversation straightforward:
“I have an offer of $15,800 for my car. If you can match or beat it while keeping the vehicle price and fees we discussed, I’d prefer to trade it here. Otherwise, I can sell it separately.”
A valid KBB Instant Cash Offer can serve the same purpose. If all you have is a higher estimated value, you can still ask for more, but present it as an appraisal rather than an offer another buyer has committed to make.
Could a Higher Trade-In Allowance Still Be a Worse Deal?
Yes. A higher trade-in allowance may be offset by a higher purchase price, additional fees, or less favorable financing. Before agreeing to the transaction, get the figures in writing and compare the total amount you will pay.
Look at the price of the car you are buying, the dealer fees and out-the-door price, your trade-in allowance, any outstanding loan balance, and the financing terms. And Again, if you are considering selling your car separately, also check whether trading it in would give you a sales-tax benefit in your state.
The goal is to come out ahead on the whole transaction, not simply to see the largest possible number beside “trade-in allowance.”
Should I Trade In My Car or Take a KBB or CarMax Cash Offer?
Compare the net cost of both choices. Trading your car at the dealership can be convenient, and a trade-in may reduce the taxable amount of your next purchase in some states. A separate cash offer may still leave you better off if it is high enough.
Ask the dealer for a written deal with your trade-in and another without it. Compare the final amounts with what you would receive by selling the car to the buyer who made your best offer. Remember to account for any loan payoff and applicable tax treatment.
Conclusion: What Is the Best Way to Find Out What My Car Is Worth?
Get appraisals from both Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book. In addition to the trade value estimates, you can also get cash offers from both services to use in response to a dealership’s written offer. The two estimates help you understand the market, while actual offers show you what your selling choices may be right now.
You do not need KBB and Edmunds to produce the same number. Their differences give you a reason to check your assumptions and arrive at the dealership with more than one source of information. If you also get cash offers, you can decide where to sell your car based on the full deal—not just the first trade-in figure a salesperson presents.
What's Next?
Buying Used?
If you may be buying a used car soon, see how to identify the dealerships most motivated to get your sale, and therefore most ready to lower their price more than the rest. This is often the difference between getting a good price and getting a great one.
You'd Consider A New Car If?
Would "new" be worth a look if you could buy close to or even below invoice, or at least at the lowest possible price even when demand is high?