Trade-In Appraisal Hub

Know Your Car's True Worth

Get an instant estimate from our tool, then compare with real offers from Carvana, KBB, CarMax, and Edmunds. Walk into any dealership with confidence.

Free Instant Estimate
4 Real Offer Sources
No Obligation
1

Get Your Instant Estimate

Enter your vehicle details for an immediate value range

Trade-In Your Vehicle
Get an instant estimate with trim, options & color adjustments
How It Works
1

Enter Your VIN or Vehicle Details

Use VIN for instant auto-fill or enter manually

2

Get Our Instant Estimate

See dealer, KBB, and instant offer ranges

3

Compare Real Offers Below

Get actual offers from KBB, Carvana, CarMax & Edmunds

Pro Tip

Get offers from at least 2-3 sources below. Bring the highest offer to your dealer negotiation — most dealers will match or beat a documented Carvana or CarMax offer.

2

Compare Real Market Offers

Get actual offers from trusted sources to maximize your trade-in value

Each source values your vehicle differently. We recommend getting at least 2-3 offers to understand your car's true market value. All links open in a new tab.

🚗
Carvana
Instant Cash Offer
Offer valid 7 days

Get a real, redeemable instant cash offer. Carvana will pick up your car for free or you can drop it off.

Pros

  • Real binding offer
  • Free pickup
  • Fast payment (1-3 days)
  • No obligation

Considerations

  • May be lower than private sale
  • Not available in all areas
📘
Kelley Blue Book
Trade-In Value Range
Reference value

Get the industry-standard KBB trade-in value range. Dealers use KBB as a baseline for negotiations.

Pros

  • Industry standard reference
  • Trusted by dealers
  • Detailed condition adjustments

Considerations

  • Not a binding offer
  • Actual dealer offer may differ
🏪
CarMax
In-Store Appraisal + Online Estimate
Offer valid 7 days

Get a no-haggle offer from CarMax. Bring your car in for a free appraisal at any location.

Pros

  • No-haggle offer
  • 700+ locations
  • Can sell without buying
  • Offer valid 7 days

Considerations

  • Requires in-person visit for final offer
  • May not match private sale value
📊
Edmunds
TMV Appraisal + Dealer Offers
Instant estimate

Get Edmunds True Market Value (TMV) and connect with local dealers for competitive offers.

Pros

  • True Market Value data
  • Connect with multiple dealers
  • Private party value included

Considerations

  • Dealers may contact you
  • Not a direct cash offer
3

Understanding Your Offers

How to compare and use your trade-in values

SourceWhat You GetBinding Offer?Best For
🚗 CarvanaReal cash offer, redeemable onlineYes - 7 daysQuick sale without visiting a dealer
📘 KBBIndustry-standard value rangeNo - ReferenceNegotiation leverage at dealerships
🏪 CarMaxNo-haggle offer after inspectionYes - 7 daysGuaranteed offer with in-person appraisal
📊 EdmundsTMV estimate + dealer connectionsNo - EstimateGetting multiple dealer offers at once
How to Maximize Your Trade-In Value

Ready to Use Your Trade-In Toward a New Car?

Let AI Auto Broker find you the best deal. We'll factor in your trade-in value and negotiate with dealers on your behalf — completely free.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is the instant estimate?

Our instant estimate uses depreciation curves, brand retention data, and market demand factors to provide a reasonable range. For the most accurate value, we recommend also getting offers from Carvana and CarMax, which inspect your vehicle's actual condition.

Which source typically gives the highest offer?

It varies by vehicle, but generally: Carvana and CarMax compete for your car and often offer more than a dealer trade-in. KBB provides the reference range that dealers use. Getting multiple offers ensures you know your car's true market value.

Should I sell privately or trade in?

Private sales typically yield 10-20% more, but require more effort (listing, showing, negotiating, paperwork). Trading in is faster and in California you save on sales tax since you only pay tax on the price difference. If convenience matters, trade-in or Carvana/CarMax are the best options.

Where do I find my VIN?

Your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) can be found on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), on the driver's side door jamb sticker, or on your vehicle registration and insurance documents.

What factors affect my trade-in value?

Key factors include: vehicle make, model, and year; mileage; overall condition; accident history; number of previous owners; service history; and current market demand for your specific vehicle.