The price starts from the market, not from what you paid
The value of a used car has nothing to do with its list price or with what you have spent on it. It depends on one thing only: the price the same model, in the same configuration and condition, actually sells for in Belgium today. That is where any serious valuation starts.
Two cars of the same model and year can easily differ by €3,000. The difference comes from the criteria below, in this order of importance.
1. Model, generation and engine
A Golf VII and a Golf VIII of the same year are not worth the same, and a 2.0 TDI is not a 1.0 TSI. Generation, fuel, gearbox and power set the base price. In Belgium an automatic gearbox is now worth 10 to 15% more than a manual on most models, and diesel trades below petrol on small cars since the low-emission zones.
2. Trim level and equipment
An M Sport pack, AMG Line, GT Line or R-Line changes the price by 10 to 20% on the same model. Individual options (sat nav, leather, sunroof, camera) count too, but rarely at their purchase price: expect a third, at best. State the exact trim level from your registration document or the tailgate badge: it is the most frequently forgotten criterion.
3. Year and mileage
A car loses on average 7 to 8% of its value per year, and each doubling of the mileage takes another 20 to 25% off. The Belgian average is 15,000 km a year: below that, the odometer supports the price; well above it, it drags the price down, especially on small petrol engines. Past 200,000 km buyers anticipate major services (timing belt, clutch) and the price drops.
4. Condition, servicing and paperwork
A complete service book, a recent roadworthiness test and good tyres reassure buyers: it is what separates a car that sells quickly from one that waits. A declared accident, a warning light or a marked body are priced at the cost of the repairs, plus the time they take. A Car-Pass and a certificate of conformity ready to hand avoid any discussion.
How to get a reliable valuation
Our estimator is based on more than 160,000 real listings from the Belgian market and neighbouring countries, model by model, then adjusts for year, mileage, fuel, gearbox, power, body style and trim level. You get a price range in seconds, without registering. A few questions about the condition then turn it into a firm offer, valid the same day.