What affects car value?
Discover the factors that affect car value and how they can influence your car’s worth at cinch.
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By Nic Hopkirk
Last updated: 6 May, 2025
When buying or selling a car, it’s useful to know what affects its worth: how much does mileage affect car value? Does the number of owners affect car value and does service history affect car value? Let’s find out.
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Understanding things that change car value
There are seven golden rules to know when it comes to a car keeping its value:
Condition: damage and notable wear and tear may lower your car’s value
Age and mileage: newer cars with lower mileage are typically worth more
Service history and MOTs: a full service history and current MOT shows your car is well maintained
Tech: cars with high-performance features and tech tend to sell for more
Previous owners: fewer previous owners tend to offer greater car values
Colour: neutral colours can help cars hold their value, bright colours less so
Modifications: unmodified cars are cheaper to insure, and generally worth more
How much does mileage affect car value?
As a general rule, as your car’s mileage goes up, its value comes down. For every 20,000 miles added to the clock, your car’s value decreases by around 20%.
The number of miles your car’s travelled is a key indicator of wear and tear, which is why mileage plays such an important part in its value.
Most cars experience the biggest value losses between 10,000 miles and 60,000 miles, with the steepest drop coming at the 24,000-mile mark. Cars that pass this milestone will lose 20% of their value, compared to when they had just 10,000 miles on the clock, according to WeBuyAnyCar.
Once cars enter six figures on the mileage, they’ll lose another £879 on average.
What’s considered good mileage for a used car?
For petrol cars, under 12,000 miles is considered low mileage, while for diesels, under 10,000 miles is good.
Does the number of owners affect car value?
Yes. A car with fewer owners is generally worth more, because it tends to mean the car’s been well looked after and maintained.
A car with a low ownership history, especially just one owner, will hold its value better when sold.
Does service history affect car value?
Yes. A full service history can increase a car’s value by as much as 20%. While not having one can decrease it by up to 40%.
A service history proves your car has been cared for and maintained, and is reassuring to potential buyers. It reduces potential risks and any fears buyers may have around problems occurring.
Does having a new engine affect car value?
A car with a new or well-maintained engine is generally considered more valuable than a car with an old one.
Replacing the engine on a new or well-maintained car can increase its value, but it’s unlikely to have an impact on an old car.
A new engine can cost upwards of £650 and in excess of £5000, depending on the type and size needed, and how difficult it is to source.
Whether you’ll make this money back in the sale is something to think about.
And while a rattly old engine won’t encourage someone to buy your car, having a new one put in before a sale can sometimes arouse suspicion. Buyers may worry about whether it was professionally installed and if the car is safe to drive.
If you do decide to put a new engine in, make sure it comes from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). An OEM engine should be identical to the one initially installed in your vehicle when it was built.
You’ll also need to ensure it’s professionally installed, thoroughly checked (to ensure no vital components were damaged in the switch), and registered with the DVLA.
How does Cat N and Cat S affect value?
A Category N car is classified as having non-structural damage, while a Category S car has structural damage. In both of these cases, the car is considered an insurance write-off, meaning the cost of repairs is greater than the value of the car.
While a Cat N car can be repaired and returned to the road, having a Cat N or Cat S car can dramatically reduce its resale value.
At cinch, you can rest assured that none of the cars we sell are Category N or S. And all of our cars are thoroughly quality-checked by our team of experts before they’re sold.
Does debadging a car affect value?
Debadging a car means removing the manufacturer’s logos from the vehicle, and it’s sometimes done by owners to produce a more streamlined effect on the bodywork.
When it comes to selling, debadging may have a small effect on the car’s value, especially if the work wasn’t professionally done to a high standard, but the impact is minor compared to mileage, condition and service history.
Some buyers prefer to have the original badges in place, while others might like the cleaner look.
Keeping hold of the original badges and car documents, alongside a full service history, should help to allay any concerns around the car’s authenticity when it comes to selling.
How much does condition affect car value?
If a car is well looked after, with excellent bodywork and minimal scratches, it will generally fetch a higher price than one that’s got a few nicks and dents.
Even if the damage is purely cosmetic, it can put buyers off, and you may find yourself haggling over the price.
Under the bonnet, ignoring mechanical wear and tear could significantly impact your car’s worth, as buyers value reliable, well-looked-after vehicles. That’s why having a full service history for your car is worth its weight in gold.
How does the number of previous owners affect car value?
As a general rule of thumb, the smaller the number of previous owners a car’s had, the bigger its value.
Buyers prefer a smaller number of previous owners, or best of all, just one, because it tends to suggest the motor’s been well cared after and regularly maintained.
How does colour affect car value?
Who knew? The colour of your motor can affect how much it’s worth.
Black, grey, silver and white are all popular colours for cars, and these shades tend to retain their value well.
Brighter colours, like red, yellow, orange and green, tend to attract a smaller pool of buyers and potentially lower your car’s value.
There are exceptions, though: if you’re selling a luxury sports car, then those bright colours are seen as desirable and can fetch a premium.
How do modifications affect car value?
Modifications can affect a car’s value, and not always in the direction you may be hoping for.
If you decide to personalise your car, you may find a buyer who loves it, but you may also reduce the potential pool of buyers interested in your wheels.
Make sure any modifications are done to a high spec, keep track of all paperwork showing the authenticity of parts used (preferably OEM), and, if possible, ensure any changes are reversible.
Get a car valuation at cinch
In a nutshell, looking after your car, keeping a full service history and not making unusual modifications to your motor will help it to attract the best price when you’re ready to sell.
Find out how much your car is worth in seconds with a free car valuation at cinch.
Looking for a new motor? We’ve got thousands to choose from.
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