Interactive Tool
Is that used car a good deal?
Found a used car you like? Paste its VIN (or pick the car), add the mileage and asking price, and we'll estimate what it's actually worth — and tell you whether the price is a deal or a stretch — using observed depreciation from real listings.
The verdict
Enter an asking price
- Estimated value
- $31,150
- Asking price
- $31,150
- Difference
- —
Estimated value for a 4-year-old Acura MDX at 48,000 miles, from a ~$48,869original price and its observed five-year depreciation. An estimate for private-market pricing — trim, options, condition, accident history, and local demand still move a real car's value. See the full Acura MDX depreciation data →
How the verdict works
We estimate the car's private-market value for its exact age and mileage, then compare it to the asking price. Meaningfully below the estimate is a good deal; close to it is fair; well above it is overpriced. The estimate is anchored to the model's real five-year depreciation, so a slow-depreciating truck and a fast-depreciating luxury sedan are judged on their own curves — not a generic rule.
Use it to sanity-check a listing before you negotiate, then dig into the model's full history on its depreciation page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you tell if a used car's price is a good deal?
Compare the asking price with the car's estimated market value for its exact age and mileage. This tool estimates that value from the model's observed five-year depreciation and original MSRP, then adjusts for how the odometer compares to a typical 12,000-miles-per-year car. If the asking price is meaningfully below the estimate, it is likely a good deal; well above it, you are probably overpaying — before accounting for condition and options.
How is the estimated value calculated?
We anchor each model to its observed five-year depreciation and representative original price, project a smooth retention curve to the car's age, then apply a mileage adjustment (about 0.5% of value per 1,000 miles above or below typical). It uses the same real used-car listing data as the rest of the site across 130 models — not a modeled residual estimate. It is an estimate of private-market value, not a guaranteed appraisal.
What should I check beyond the price?
Price is only part of a good deal. Confirm the service and accident history, get an independent pre-purchase inspection, verify the trim and options match the price, check open recalls by VIN, and factor in near-term maintenance. A car that looks cheap can cost more than a fairly-priced one once deferred repairs are counted.