Kelley Blue Book review

Kelley Blue Book ranks first because it answers both halves of the question: what the car is worth and what a dealer will actually pay. Its value definitions separate the Trade-In Value, which it describes as what a consumer can expect to receive from a dealer assuming an accurate appraisal of condition, from the Private Party Value for one-on-one sales, and most results appear as a Fair Market Range rather than a single number. Cox Automotive says the team behind Blue Book values uses 250+ data sources and 3 trillion data points and adjusts for region, season and supply and demand. Sellers can then request an Instant Cash Offer, a fixed figure valid for 7 days from the date you receive it. The limits are clear in Kelley Blue Book's own terms: it does not redeem offers or buy cars, Participating Dealers inspect the car and pay a fee to take part, and the offer may come in below the Trade-In Value. Use the range as your anchor and the offer as a floor.

Who it is for

Sellers and buyers who want the value most dealers and buyers already recognize

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Trade-In Value: what a consumer can expect to receive from a dealer, assuming an accurate condition appraisal
• Private Party Value for selling to or buying from an individual
• Instant Cash Offer: a fixed offer valid for 7 days, redeemed at a Participating Dealer after inspection
• Fair Market Range shown in place of a single figure in most cases
• Values adjusted for region, seasonal trends and supply and demand

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Kelley Blue Book says its team draws on 250+ data sources and 3 trillion data points
• Strength: Separate trade-in and private party figures show how much a private sale could add
• Strength: The Instant Cash Offer is a fixed amount, so there is nothing to negotiate for 7 days
• Weakness: Kelley Blue Book does not buy cars; offers are redeemed by Participating Dealers, which pay a fee to take part
• Weakness: The Instant Cash Offer may be less than the Kelley Blue Book Trade-In Value
• Weakness: Not every vehicle is eligible for an Instant Cash Offer

Key facts

• Values published since: 1926
• Data: 250+ sources, 3 trillion data points
• Instant Cash Offer validity: 7 days from the date you receive it
• Who redeems offers: Participating Dealers, after inspection
• Owner: Cox Automotive

Where it ranks

Kelley Blue Book is No. 1 in our Best Websites to Check Used Car Value verdict.