How Regit's Free Car Valuation Works

What Happens When You Value Your Car with Regit

When you enter your details, Regit's valuation system combines information about your vehicle with relevant market data to estimate its current value. The process starts by identifying the vehicle linked to your registration number, then uses details such as mileage and your reason for obtaining a valuation to help determine which figures are most relevant.

The result is not simply a price pulled from one advert or one dealer. Regit uses aggregated market information to produce different values for different ways of selling or trading your car.

Your reg number: what the lookup identifies

Your registration number is used to identify the vehicle and retrieve its recorded details. This can include information such as the make, model, registration date and specification.

Regit's other vehicle-data services also provide access to information such as MOT history and vehicle tax status. Our MOT checker uses official DVSA data for MOT information, while its tax checker uses DVLA records for vehicle tax and registration details.

You can check your car's MOT history separately, or read more about how MOT and vehicle history can affect your car's value.

If you're valuing a van, Regit also has a dedicated free van valuation.

Your mileage and reason: how they shape the figure

Mileage helps show how your car compares with similar vehicles on the market. A higher or lower mileage can affect its value, especially when considered alongside its age, specification and overall condition.

The reason you are getting a valuation also matters because a car can have different market values depending on whether you are selling privately, selling it online or using it as part-exchange. Regit's valuation journey asks for this information so the figures can be relevant to your situation.

For a deeper look at the factors that can influence a vehicle's value, see our guide to car valuation factors.

Why You See Three Different Prices

There isn't one universal answer to the question "what is my car worth?" The amount a car could achieve depends partly on who is buying it and what happens to the vehicle after the sale.

That's why Regit provides different figures rather than presenting one number as the definitive value of your car. Each figure reflects a different selling situation, with different costs, risks and expectations built into the price.

Why dealers and private buyers pay different amounts

A dealership valuation can be lower as a dealer needs to account for the costs and risks involved in buying and reselling a vehicle. These can include preparing the car for sale, dealing with faults or cosmetic issues, advertising it and holding it until it sells. The dealer also needs enough margin to make the transaction commercially viable.

A private buyer does not have the same resale costs or margin requirement. However, a private seller generally has to handle the advertising, enquiries, viewings, negotiations and paperwork themselves.

This means a private-sale price and a dealer-related price can legitimately be different even when they relate to exactly the same vehicle.

Part-exchange: convenience priced into the figure

Part-exchange works differently from selling your car privately or at an online auction. Instead of receiving the full value of your car as a separate payment, its value is put towards the cost of another vehicle.

This means the part-exchange value can be different from other valuations. Comparing the different figures Regit provides can help you understand why your car may be worth more or less depending on how you choose to sell it.

How the Valuation Is Calculated

Regit's car valuation uses current used-car market data to estimate what your vehicle could be worth. Rather than applying a fixed price to a particular make and model, the valuation considers both market trends and the details of your individual car.

The tool uses information such as current and historical listings and transaction trends alongside vehicle-specific details including age, mileage and specification. The data is regularly updated to reflect changes in the used-car market, helping keep your car valuation in line with current prices.

Regit also works in partnership with Motorway, giving users the option to see an online auction valuation price for their vehicle. This provides another way to understand what your car could be worth through a dealer auction, where multiple verified dealers can compete to buy the vehicle. The auction valuation is separate from Regit's own market-based estimate, giving you another useful reference point when considering your selling options.

For the wider context behind Regit's data-led approach, you can read more about how Regit works.

From live market data to your figure

Regit's car valuation starts with aggregated used-car market data, bringing together information from current listings, transaction trends and historical pricing. This gives the valuation a broader view of the market rather than relying on the price of one individual car or a single buyer.

Your vehicle details are then taken into account, including its make and model, age, mileage and specification. The valuation is based on comparable vehicles and current market conditions, helping to identify where your car sits within the wider used-car market.

As market prices and demand change, the underlying data is regularly recalibrated. This helps keep valuations up to date rather than relying on historical prices that may no longer reflect what similar cars are worth today.

Regit also directs users to get a Motorway online auction price, allowing you to see what your car could potentially achieve when offered to a network of verified dealers.

The result is a market-based estimate of your car's value, giving you a useful starting point when considering your selling options.

Why your valuation is an estimate, not an offer

A car valuation is an estimate because an online tool cannot physically inspect your vehicle. The figure is based on the information available about your car and current market data, but its actual condition may be different from what is assumed in the valuation.

Details such as cosmetic damage, mechanical faults, wear and tear, optional extras or modifications can affect what a buyer is ultimately willing to pay. Local demand and changes in the used-car market can also influence the price a particular vehicle achieves.

This means an online car valuation is best used as a guide to your car's potential market value, rather than a guaranteed offer or final selling price. The figure can also change as your car gets older, its mileage increases and market conditions shift.

If your valuation is lower than expected, our guide explains some of the common reasons a car valuation can come in lower.

When and why your figure changes

Your car's value can change over time even if you haven't changed anything about the vehicle. That's because used-car valuations are influenced by the wider market, including supply, demand, seasonal buying patterns and changes in the popularity of different makes, models and fuel types.

For example, a sudden increase in the number of similar cars available for sale can put pressure on prices, while stronger demand for a particular type of vehicle can support its value. Seasonal trends, new model launches and changes in the cost of running different vehicles can also affect what buyers are prepared to pay.

This means a valuation that reflects the market today may not show the same figure a few weeks or months from now. As market conditions change, the estimated value of your car can move with them.

If you want to keep track of how your car's value changes, Regit's Digital Garage can help you monitor its estimated value over time.

After Your Valuation: Your Options

Once you have your car valuation, you can use it as a starting point for deciding what to do next. If you're ready to sell, Regit can connect you with its partner Motorway, where verified dealers can compete to buy your car. Find out more about selling your car through Regit.

If you want to compare valuation providers, the Regit car valuation page brings the available valuation tools together and provides further information about the different figures you can receive. You can also explore individual guides such as AutoTrader car valuation and AA car valuation.

If you're not ready to sell, you can continue to keep an eye on your car's estimated value through the Regit Digital Garage. This can help you understand how its value changes as the vehicle gets older and market conditions shift.

You can also use Regit's HPI check before selling or buying a vehicle if you need to investigate its history further.

Who Runs Regit: Company Facts

Regit is operated by Motoring.co.uk Ltd t/a Regit, a company registered in England and Wales under company number 6073777. Its headquarters are at Glasshouse, Alderley Park, Macclesfield.

Regit is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 711752. It acts as a credit broker, not a lender, when providing relevant finance services.

More than 2 million people hold a Regit Digital Garage account, with over 850,000 motorists visiting the site each month. Regit also facilitates around £50 million worth of car sales every month through its services.

For more information about the company, its services and how it operates, visit Regit's About page. You can also read its transparency & disclosure information.