calculating car value Page 96

Start with recent Australian listings for the same make, model, trim and year—match engine, transmission and options—then adjust for kilometres (about 15,000 km per year is “average”). Condition and history are king: full logbooks, no accidents, fresh tyres and a clean RWC can swing thousands. Use guides like RedBook and real comps on Tradingpost to triangulate, then haircut for reality—asking isn’t selling. Expect a dealer trade‑in to sit roughly 5–15% under a sharp private sale, because warranties and overheads aren’t paid with hugs. Also price in rego months, remaining warranty, and looming maintenance (timing belts, brakes, tyres). Do the maths, then sanity‑check with a pre‑purchase inspection; nothing devalues a car faster than discovering it’s secretly a submarine.