You type in your registration, a big number appears, and you book an appointment. Then on the day the inspector walks round the car, taps on a tablet, and the offer comes down. It is one of the most common complaints we hear from people in Doncaster, and it is not bad luck. It is how the system is built.
The first figure is based on a perfect car
An online valuation has never seen your car. It works from the registration, mileage and a few ticked boxes, then assumes the car is in good condition with a full set of keys, service history and a decent MOT.
Real cars have stone chips, kerbed wheels, a missing second key or a light on the dash. Each one gives the buyer a reason to knock money off once they are standing next to it.
A high number gets you through the door
A generous headline figure is what makes you pick one site over another. By the time you reach the inspection you have usually stopped shopping around, taken time off work or driven to a branch. Walking away feels like wasted effort, and buyers know that.
That is why so many sellers accept a lower price than they planned on. Not because the new figure is fair, but because starting again feels like too much hassle.
Fees can take a little more
Some services also charge a transaction or admin fee, which comes off the amount you receive. Always check the small print so you know what will actually land in your bank.
How we do it differently
We look at the car first. Paul comes to your home or workplace in Doncaster, looks over the car properly, and gives you an honest figure based on what is in front of him. There is no inflated number to reel you in, so there is nothing to claw back later.
Because we then offer the car to a network of more than 8,000 independent UK dealers, the price you get is driven by real demand, not a computer guess.
Frequently asked questions
- Why can an online car valuation change at inspection?
- An online valuation has never seen your car. It works from the registration, mileage and a few ticked boxes, then assumes the car is in good condition with a full set of keys, service history and a decent MOT. Real cars have stone chips, kerbed wheels, a missing second key or a light on the dash. Each one gives the buyer a reason to knock money off once they are standing next to it.
- How does an in-person valuation work differently?
- We look at the car first. Paul comes to your home or workplace in Doncaster, looks over the car properly, and gives you an honest figure based on what is in front of him. There is no inflated number to reel you in, so there is nothing to claw back later. Because we then offer the car to a network of more than 8,000 independent UK dealers, the price you get is driven by real demand, not a computer guess.
Want your car valued properly?
A valuer visits you anywhere in Doncaster, and the price agreed on the day is the one you are paid.