Determining the "worth" of a vehicle involves a complex calculation of depreciation, market demand, and physical state. While a new car loses a significant portion of its value the moment it leaves the lot, the rate of decline stabilizes over time.
Our Car Worth Calculator uses an advanced depreciation algorithm that accounts for the primary drivers of automotive value loss:
Time-Based Depreciation: Generally, a car loses 15-20% of its value in the first year and roughly 10-15% for every year thereafter.
Mileage Impact: The average vehicle is driven about 12,000 miles per year. Exceeding this "mileage budget" accelerates depreciation by increasing wear and tear on mechanical components.
Condition Factor: A vehicle in "Excellent" condition can command a 20-40% premium over the same model in "Fair" or "Poor" condition.
Ownership History: A "one-owner" vehicle is statistically more likely to have been consistently maintained, making it more valuable than a car that has changed hands frequently.
Typical Depreciation Schedule
Age of Vehicle
Estimated Value Retention
New
100%
1 Year
80% – 85%
3 Years
60% – 65%
5 Years
40% – 50%
10 Years
10% – 20%
3 Ways to Increase Your Car's Worth
1. Keep Detailed Service Records: Buyers pay more for proof that the oil was changed and belts were replaced on schedule. A full service history can add up to 10% to the final sale price.
2. Address Cosmetic Issues: Small dents, paint chips, and stained upholstery significantly lower the "Condition Score." Professional detailing often provides a 2x return on investment before selling.
3. Manage Mileage: If you have a second vehicle, use it for long commutes. Keeping your odometer below the national average for the car's age is one of the strongest ways to maintain high resale value.
function calculateCarWorth() {
var price = parseFloat(document.getElementById('originalPrice').value);
var age = parseFloat(document.getElementById('vehicleAge').value);
var mileage = parseFloat(document.getElementById('totalMileage').value);
var condition = parseFloat(document.getElementById('carCondition').value);
var owners = parseFloat(document.getElementById('ownerCount').value);
var fuelMultiplier = parseFloat(document.getElementById('fuelType').value);
if (isNaN(price) || isNaN(age) || isNaN(mileage) || isNaN(owners) || price 0) {
baseValue = price * 0.85; // Year 1
if (age > 1) {
baseValue = baseValue * Math.pow(0.88, (age – 1));
}
}
// 2. Mileage Adjustment
// Standard is 12000 miles/year. Penalty for excess, bonus for low.
var expectedMileage = age * 12000;
if (age === 0) expectedMileage = 500; // Small buffer for new cars
var mileageDiff = mileage – expectedMileage;
// Each mile over/under average affects price by approx $0.12
var mileageAdjustment = mileageDiff * 0.12;
var adjustedValue = baseValue – mileageAdjustment;
// 3. Condition and Owner Multipliers
var ownerPenalty = 1.0;
if (owners > 1) {
ownerPenalty = 1.0 – ((owners – 1) * 0.04); // 4% drop per additional owner
}
if (ownerPenalty < 0.80) ownerPenalty = 0.80; // Cap penalty at 20%
var finalWorth = adjustedValue * condition * ownerPenalty * fuelMultiplier;
// 4. Floor Price (Scrap/Minimum Value)
var floorPrice = price * 0.08; // A car is rarely worth less than 8% of original price unless totaled
if (finalWorth = 1.0) message = "This reflects a top-tier private party valuation.";
else if (condition <= 0.5) message = "This valuation assumes significant mechanical or structural needs.";
else message = "This is a balanced estimate based on current market trends.";
note.innerHTML = "Note: " + message + " Actual dealer trade-in values may be 15-20% lower.";
resultBox.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'nearest' });
}