For example, suppose Tyra is thinking of trading in her 2017 Prius for a newer model. She wants to make sure the dealership doesn’t lowball her car’s value, so she looks up the Blue Book value of her car. The Blue Book tells her $16,972 is a fair trade-in value for her car in its condition, so now she knows what to negotiate for at the dealership.
How the Blue Book Works
The Blue Book is updated at least weekly and can be used to browse listings, get pricing information, and find out more about your favorite cars. The Blue Book is used by both consumers and dealerships to determine the value of a vehicle. Some of its most-used features are listed below.
Car Values
When it’s time to sell your vehicle, you want to make sure you’re getting a fair price. The Blue Book has an estimator tool to help you determine your car’s value based on its condition and whether you’re trading it in or selling it to a private party. To use the estimator, all you need to do is enter in your car’s make and model, trim information, and the condition of your vehicle. You’ll also provide the zip code where you want to sell your vehicle. For example, the trade-in value range of a 2017 Toyota Prius Two Eco in good condition is $15,742 to $17,655 for Jacksonville, Florida. The private-party value is slightly higher at $16,548 to $18,569.The estimated price range KBB gives you is based on several factors:
The car’s make, model, trim, and conditionAuction salesDealership transactionsOnline vehicle listingsIn-house analytics
In addition to pricing, KBB results include:
The average time it should take you to sell your carHow much of the estimated value you should expect from the saleHow much effort you’ll have to put in to sell it
Cars for Sale
KBB provides listings of cars for sale. You can search local inventory, find dealerships, and get a free price quote for a new car. You can also view specs and pictures of vehicles for sale, and vehicle history reports when available.
Car Reviews
The Blue Book releases a list of the best vehicles on the market each year, broken down into categories for cars, SUVs, trucks, minivans, EVs, and hybrids. So if you know which type of vehicle you’re looking for, you can use this information to compare top choices. You can also check out average prices for these vehicles in the Blue Book’s New Car Buyer’s Guide, read reviews from KBB editors, and shop for these vehicles directly on the site.
Car Repair
In addition to its estimator tool and car listings, KBB’s website has car repair resources specific to your vehicle that help you:
Estimate auto repair and maintenance costsFind repair shops near youView car recallsService and repair guidesDecipher OBD-II codes
Alternatives to the Blue Book
If you’re looking for car pricing information, the Blue Book is a popular resource. However, there are several well-known websites that offer vehicle valuations. Getting valuations from multiple sites can help you gauge the true value of your vehicle. The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) is owned by J.D. Power and Associates and is a source for car, motorcycle, RV, and boat values. You can also use this website to get pricing information for new and used vehicles, as well as specs and pictures. Edmunds, another valuation and listing site, provides price estimates for your vehicle based on the information you provide and, when applicable, instant offers from CarMax.
