Arnold Clark Car Valuation: How It Works

What Is the Arnold Clark Vehicle Valuation?

The Arnold Clark vehicle valuation is a free online tool that gives you a valuation based on your car's registration and mileage and, for a more detailed figure, information about its condition. Unlike guide-price tools, the figure you receive is a price Arnold Clark is prepared to pay for the car.

Arnold Clark says its online valuation is valid for seven days, subject to its terms and a satisfactory inspection of the vehicle. Its valuation page also says that 95% of its customers go on to receive the amount quoted by its calculator.

There is no obligation to sell your car after receiving a valuation. Arnold Clark also says you don't need to buy another vehicle from it to use its sell-my-car service.

How to value your car with Arnold Clark, step by step

Getting an Arnold Clark car valuation online is straightforward:

1. Enter your registration number and current mileage.
2. Receive your initial online valuation.
3. Provide further information about your car's condition, including details about its interior, exterior and mechanical condition, for a full valuation.
4. If you decide to sell, book an appointment at an Arnold Clark branch, where the vehicle and supporting information can be checked before the sale is completed.

The online valuation is free, and Arnold Clark says the offer is valid for seven days. The final in-branch offer can be revised if the inspection identifies differences between the information supplied online and the actual condition of the vehicle.

Why the Arnold Clark figure is an offer, not an estimate

There is an important difference between a general car valuation and a valuation from a retailer that is looking to buy your vehicle.

A general valuation gives you an indication of what a car may be worth based on market information. Arnold Clark's valuation is used to establish how much it could pay for your vehicle, subject to its valuation terms and a physical appraisal.

Arnold Clark says its valuations combine its own data with Cap HPI's data set of more than 4,000 daily vehicle sales to produce its quotes.

That means an Arnold Clark figure and a private-sale value are not necessarily the same. A private seller may achieve a different price because they are selling directly to an individual rather than to a retailer.

Arnold Clark Value My Car: Check Your Car's Value by Reg

An Arnold Clark car valuation is a free online valuation based initially on your car's registration and mileage. You can then provide more information about its condition to receive a fuller valuation showing how much Arnold Clark could pay for it.

What details you actually provide — no email needed for the quote

Arnold Clark's valuation tool allows you to get your initial car valuation using your registration number and mileage, without providing your name or email address. The initial valuation is displayed on screen, and you can request the quote by email afterwards if you want to keep a copy.

If you don't know your exact mileage, Arnold Clark says its valuation tool can populate the mileage from your car's last MOT record. You can also check your vehicle's previous MOT information with Regit's MOT History Check if you need to confirm its recorded mileage.

If you want to see several different ways of looking at your car's value, you can also use Regit's free car valuation. To get your Regit valuation, enter your car's registration number, mileage and contact details.

What affects your Arnold Clark car value

Several factors can influence the valuation you receive. Arnold Clark specifically highlights:

• Mileage – mileage is one of the biggest factors affecting the value of a used car, particularly in relation to its age.
• Age – newer vehicles will generally command different prices from older examples of the same model.
• Condition – damage, wear and mechanical problems can affect the amount offered.
• Service history – a complete service history can support a stronger valuation.
• Number of previous owners – the ownership history can influence how attractive a car is to buyers.
• Colour – some colours can be more desirable for particular makes and models.
• Current market conditions – demand and supply change over time, which can affect used-car prices.
• Optional extras – some factory-fitted options can add appeal, but Arnold Clark notes that not every extra will increase a car's value.

It's important to give accurate information when completing the valuation. Arnold Clark's terms state that the valuation is based on the information supplied and can be revised if that information is incorrect or if the vehicle's condition differs from what was declared.

Cars the tool can't value: classics and older number plates

Arnold Clark's online calculator does not currently provide valuations for specialist or classic cars. Its FAQ says it does not quote for cars over 23 years old, although it provides a manual form for customers who want to make a valuation request.

The calculator also does not process old prefix-style registrations, where letters identify the year of registration. Arnold Clark says its online tool can process current millennium registrations, beginning with the 51 plate in 2001.

Damaged or written-off vehicles are not automatically excluded either. Arnold Clark says its valuation form allows customers to declare whether a vehicle is an insurance total loss, including Cat N and Cat S vehicles. These vehicles remain subject to inspection. If you're not sure whether a car has been written off in the past, a car history check will tell you before you start.

Selling or Part-Exchanging Your Car with Arnold Clark

An Arnold Clark valuation can be used if you're considering selling your car outright or part-exchanging it against another vehicle. The retailer says its online sell-my-car service can be used whether or not you're buying another vehicle from Arnold Clark.

How selling your car to Arnold Clark works

The basic process is:

1. Get your online valuation using your registration and mileage.
2. Provide additional information about your car where required.
3. Book an appointment at an Arnold Clark branch within the valuation's seven-day validity period.
4. Take your car to the branch for an appraisal.
5. Complete the sale if you're happy with the in-branch offer.

At the appointment, Arnold Clark checks the car and its supporting records against the information provided during the valuation. Its terms state that the in-branch offer may be revised if issues are identified during the appraisal.

Arnold Clark says there is no obligation to sell, that it does not charge transaction or admin fees, and that payment is normally made within three working days once the relevant checks and paperwork have been completed. If your car has outstanding finance, Arnold Clark settles the agreement with your lender and pays you any balance left over.

Arnold Clark part exchange: using your valuation to trade in

You can also use your car's value when part-exchanging it against another vehicle from Arnold Clark. The retailer currently lists more than 20,000 cars in stock, although stock availability can change.

A part-exchange valuation works differently from selling your car outright, because the value of your existing vehicle forms part of the overall deal for your next car. Don't look at the trade-in figure in isolation: consider both the amount offered for your current car and the price of the replacement vehicle.

Compare your offers before you commit

An Arnold Clark valuation tells you what one retailer could pay for your car. That makes it useful, but it doesn't necessarily represent the only price your vehicle could achieve.

Because Arnold Clark says its valuation is valid for seven days, that gives you a defined period in which to consider your options. Different valuation services use different data and selling models, so comparing a few figures can give you a better idea of your car's potential value:

• AA car valuation – the AA's free online valuation helps you understand your vehicle's current market value.
• Autotrader car valuation – see how Autotrader values your car using factors such as age, mileage, specification and optional extras.
• webuyanycar valuation – see how a webuyanycar quote works as part of its direct car-selling service.

Before accepting an offer, it can be useful to get an independent valuation as well. You can check your car's value with Regit's valuation service to see different valuation figures for your vehicle, including private-sale and part-exchange values. You can also explore your options for selling your car.

Comparing figures helps you understand whether an offer is competitive and which selling route is likely to suit you best.

About Arnold Clark

Arnold Clark Automobiles began in Glasgow in 1954, when Sir Arnold Clark opened his first showroom. The business has since grown into what it describes as the UK's leading independently owned car retailer.

Today, Arnold Clark says it has 200 branches, sells more than 300,000 cars a year and offers new cars from 32 manufacturers. It also lists more than 20,000 cars in stock.

The business remains family-owned. Arnold Clark describes itself as a family-run business, and members of the Clark family are listed as persons with significant control of Arnold Clark Automobiles Limited at Companies House.