Fair price check
Compare the asking price with our market value for the same car and see straight away whether you would overpay.
About the car and the price
Result
Enter make, model, year, mileage, fuel and the asking price. You will see here straight away whether the price is fair.
How does the fair price check decide whether a price is fair?
The check puts the asking price next to a reference price. For a private seller that is our private-sale value: what a private buyer can reasonably pay. For a dealer we add 10%. The difference decides the outcome.
| Outcome | Asking price compared with the reference | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Sharp, but unusually low | more than 15% lower | Could be a bargain, but also a scam: check extra carefully |
| Sharp | 3% to 15% lower | Good price if condition and papers check out |
| Fair | within 3% | In line with the market, little room |
| A bit high | 3% to 10% higher | Usually room to negotiate |
| Too high | more than 10% higher | Only reasonable with a clear reason |
The private-sale value comes from the same model as our car valuation: new price, depreciation per year, mileage compared with what is normal for the age, condition, gearbox, low-emission zones and the season. When you look up a plate, we also use the catalogue price, Euro class, the tellerstandoordeel (odometer verdict) and the APK date from the RDW.
Why does a used car cost more at a dealer than from a private seller?
Because at a dealer you buy more certainty. A consumentenkoop (consumer sale) comes with statutory conformiteit (conformity), which the dealer cannot exclude. A defect that appears within 1 year of delivery is presumed to have existed at delivery (art. 7:18a of the Dutch Civil Code).
A private sale is different. There the buyer has to prove a defect already existed, and a clause such as "sold as viewed and test-driven" is usually valid. A dealer also charges for preparation, servicing and warranty. That is why we compare a dealer's asking price with our private-sale value plus 10%. With a BOVAG member you can also take a dispute to the Geschillencommissie Voertuigen, the vehicle disputes committee.
What drives the market value of a used car most?
Age and mileage weigh most, followed by condition and service history. An odometer reading the RDW rates as not logical pushes the value down sharply, and a diesel rated Euro 4 or lower attracts fewer buyers because it may not enter the low-emission zones of Amsterdam, Utrecht and Arnhem.
| Factor | Effect on the price |
|---|---|
| More kilometres than normal for the age | lower |
| Full service history | higher than without |
| APK expires within 2 months | lower: the buyer deducts the test and repairs |
| Automatic gearbox in a small or compact car | higher |
| Odometer not logical according to the RDW | much lower |
What should you do if the price is too high or suspiciously low?
If it is too high, set your opening offer and your limit in advance with the negotiation range tool. If it is suspiciously low, view the car in person, pay nothing upfront and run the scam check. Either way, the inspection checklist helps at the viewing, and a pre-purchase inspection gives you arguments on paper.
Frequently asked questions
Is an asking price below market value always a good deal?
No. A low price can be a bargain, but also a sign of hidden defects, an illogical odometer reading or a scam with a cloned listing. View the car in person, check the plate and the odometer verdict, and never pay a deposit before you have seen the car.
Why do you add 10% for a dealer?
10% is our estimate of what a dealer adds for preparation, servicing, warranty and the statutory rights you get in a consumer sale. A defect within 1 year of delivery is presumed to have existed already. You do not get that certainty from a private seller, so you should pay less there.
How accurate is the market value in this check?
It is an indication with a range. When you look up a plate we know the catalogue price, so the range is narrower. The model cannot fully see special trims, many extra options or damage, so also compare with similar used cars currently for sale.
Does it matter whether it is a margin car or a VAT car?
For a private buyer the total price is what counts. A VAT car shows 21% VAT separately, which only a business buyer can reclaim. A margin car shows no VAT. So always compare the amount you will actually pay. No VAT applies between private persons.