THE MARKET

Why an asking price is not a valuation.

Compare the right cars and keep your exit price realistic.

An advert tells you what a seller wants. It does not establish what a buyer will pay.

Compare like with like

Engine, gearbox, trim, mileage, service records, location and condition all matter. A similar-looking car with a different engine is not necessarily a useful comparable.

Keep the sales channel in mind

A dealer’s asking price and a private seller’s price describe different propositions. Preparation, support and the seller’s reputation can affect what a buyer is willing to pay.

Plan for a realistic sale

Work with a defensible resale assumption and allow for negotiation. A removed listing does not prove that a car sold, how quickly it sold or what price it achieved.

Show the uncertainty

Calculate a downside as well as your expected result. Flipi does not currently provide a verified market valuation; its free calculator uses the figures you enter.

Try your figures