How Much Should I Sell My Car For? A Simple Pricing Guide

Working out the right price for your car can feel like guesswork — but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s a quick, simple way to land on a realistic number that attracts genuine buyers without leaving money on the table.

1. Start with the real market, not the dream price

Jump onto CarsGuide, RedBook, Drive, Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace — anywhere people are actively selling cars like yours.Look for:

• Same make and model

• Similar year

• Similar kilometres

• Similar condition

Ignore the outliers. The middle of the range is usually the truth.

2. Compare asking prices with sold prices

Many sellers list high but end up selling for less. If you can see actual sold results anywhere (Marketplace comments, price drops, etc.), that’s gold. It gives you a far better read on what buyers are actually paying.

3. Adjust for condition — be honest

Buyers notice everything. A clean car sells faster and for more.

Here’s a rough rule of thumb:

• Excellent condition: Add 5–10%

• Average condition: Aim for the midpoint

• Needs work: Reduce by 5–15% depending on what’s needed

If your car needs tyres, brakes, or has a few dents, factor that in upfront.

4. Factor in kms

Kilometres are one of the biggest pricing drivers.

As a guide:

• Under average kms for its age = higher price

• Over average kms = lower price

A car with 200,000+ km will always sit at the lower end, even if it’s been well looked after.

5. Consider how quickly you want to sell

If speed matters, price slightly below market and bring more buyers forward.If you’re happy to hold, price at the higher end and wait — but expect slower enquiry.

6. Use your online ads to your advantage

If you’ve posted your car on Marketplace, Gumtree or Carsales, watch the response:

• Lots of messages = you’re priced well

• Silence = drop the price

• Lowball offers only = you’re too high

This feedback loop is one of the best pricing tools you’ve got.

7. Finish the sale in person

Once you’ve set a fair price, the real selling happens face-to-face. Buyers want to sit in the car, start it, ask questions and feel confident.

That’s why bringing your car to the Flemington Car Market works so well — all your interested buyers can meet you in one place, on one day, in a safe environment.

The simple formula

A fair price usually looks like this:

Real market value ± condition adjustments ± km adjustments ± how fast you want to sell

If you get this right, you’ll attract serious buyers without endless negotiation.