If you're searching for the value of your car or comparing second-hand car buyers online, chances are you’ve already discovered how wildly prices can vary. One site says $12K. Another says $7K. A friend reckons you should be asking $15K.
So who’s right, and how do you know what’s fair?
At We Buy Cars, we’ve bought more than 10,000 vehicles across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Logan City, Toowoomba, Caboolture and beyond. We’ve seen the full spectrum: the spotless SUVs, the rough tradie utes, the much-loved family wagons, and everything in between.
Our valuation process is built on experience, real market data, and a simple principle: be honest, be fair, and be efficient.
Below, we break down how we value your car and what will typically determine its value.
The price you get depends on far more than just age and mileage. Here’s what we factor into every quote:
Make, model, and variantSome brands hold their value better — like Toyota, Mazda, and Isuzu — but even within a brand, the variant matters. A top-of-the-line Hilux SR5 will fetch more than a base model. So will a diesel over petrol.
Kilometres and wearWe don’t just look at the odometer; we interpret it. A 150,000 km car that’s been regularly serviced may hold better value than a 90,000 km car with gaps in the logbook or visible wear and tear.
ConditionWe inspect for panel damage, interior wear, odours, aftermarket mods, rust, and tyres. A clean, well-kept vehicle is more appealing to buyers and commands a higher price. That said, we won’t penalise you for every scratch as we know used cars come with life stories.
Logbook and servicing historyA stamped logbook tells us you’ve looked after the car. It also gives confidence to the next buyer, which increases resale value. Bonus points for timing belt changes, brake replacements, or major servicing milestones already completed.
Rego, roadworthy and titleA car with clean title (no finance owing, no written-off history) is easier to transfer and resell. Registration and a roadworthy are helpful, but if you don’t have them, we can still buy the car — we’ll factor that into the offer and handle the paperwork.
Demand in your areaWe don’t rely on one-size-fits-all pricing tools. Our team uses Queensland-specific insights. A dual cab ute in Toowoomba? High demand. A small hatchback in inner Brisbane? Steady. We adjust based on real buyer behaviour in your postcode.
It starts with your free online quote. We use a mix of:
From there, we inspect your vehicle to confirm its condition and details. If everything checks out, we’ll lock in the quote and process payment within 24 to 48 hours.
Private buyers on Marketplace or Gumtree can be unreliable, with lots of strangers in your driveway, time wasters and lowballers trying to nitpick every scratch.
Dealers, on the other hand, often undervalue your trade-in because they’re focused on the overall transaction: what they lose on your old car, they make up on the new one.
We Buy Cars only does one thing: we buy cars. That means our pricing is independent, not tied to a sale, and reflects the true market value based on your car’s actual condition and demand.
Here are a few quick tips before you request a valuation:
For more in-depth insights, check out our article on 5 prep hacks that add hundreds to your car. Got a big rig? Read our article on maximising the value of your SUV or ute.
If you’ve been Googling the value of your car or comparing second-hand car buyers in Queensland, We Buy Cars is here to make the process simple, stress-free, and transparent.
We’ll give you a fair, fast quote backed by real data with no pressure, no hidden fees, and no mystery. Just local experience and friendly service from a team that’s bought over 10,000 cars across QLD.
Fill out the online enquiry form to get your free valuation and get started with selling your car today.
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