Appraising used cars: the sourcing checklist for dealers
6 min read
A good purchase starts with a sober appraisal. This checklist covers every point that determines the purchase price of a used car.
Market value first: what will the car achieve at resale?
Appraisal does not start with the vehicle but with your sales market. Comparable prices for make, model, engine, mileage and trim level define the realistic selling corridor. From that value you calculate backwards: reconditioning, possible repairs, transport, standing time and your target margin — what remains is your maximum bid.
Watch for equipment-driven price jumps: a tow bar, panoramic roof, assistance packages or a second set of wheels can be worth several hundred euros at resale depending on the model — and are easily overlooked in the documentation.
The condition check: systematic instead of gut feeling
A structured look at the documented condition protects you from expensive surprises. These points belong in every sourcing appraisal:
- Body: check marked damage, paint condition and panel gaps in the photos
- History: first registration, number of owners, service book, last inspection
- Technology: mileage plausible? Warning lights, known model weaknesses
- Tyres: tread depths on all axles, tyre age, second wheel set available?
- Interior: wear on seats, steering wheel and pedals relative to mileage
- Papers: COC document, number of keys, manuals
Appraising online: read the documentation like a survey
When sourcing online, the platform documentation replaces your visual inspection. Treat it like a condensed survey: on biet2biet, damage is marked and described directly on the vehicle silhouette, tyre tread is recorded in millimetres and the equipment is listed. What is documented you can price in — what is missing you ask about before bidding. That turns gut feeling into a sound purchasing decision.
FAQ
How much should I discount for minor damage?
Calculate with your workshop’s real repair costs plus time — not with flat rates. A documented scratch with smart-repair potential costs differently from panel damage requiring paint. That is exactly what position-marked damage documentation is for.
What matters more: mileage or number of owners?
Both are only proxies for real care. A motorway car with full service history is often better stock than a low-mileage short-trip car. What decides is the overall picture of history, condition and documentation.
