I frequently look at that to get an idea of used prices but I've been told by numerous dealers that it 'undervalues' cars. Now, I know that it's in their interest to say this as part of the haggle but could somebody confirm how reliable parkers actually is and whether it does have a tendency to undervalue cars?

Cheers

It is what it says it is a "guide"

Dealers will always try and get as much out of you as they can and it will probably depend on a few things anyway

Has dealer hit target

The price on the original trade in

Amount of stock sitting about

How long they have had the car..........

You may get a better deal private with some good haggling skills

I reckon they overvalue.

Try the free glasses guide on the Vauxhall site

Yep, I think its generally recognised that Parkers over-value their prices considerably.

However, nearly-new cars are notoriously difficult to value. You can argue the evidence til the cows come home, but at the end of the day a car is worth what someone is willing to pay for it

I too find Glasses the best guide, and add on about 10% for a private sale...

Thanks All,

It's interesting that some of you have said Parkers overvalue. I guess the dealers I've dealt with in the past really have been trying to pull the wool over my eyes; I'm just glad I didn't end up buying a vehicle for more than these prices.

I'll go and have a look at the Glasses guide and see what sorts of figures that produces for the cars I'm looking at though so cheers.

I think they undervalue there cars, you only have to go out and try and buy a car for what they say its worth to find out its not possible alot of the time!

I reckon they overvalue.

Try the free glasses guide on the Vauxhall site

I agree. The only downside of Glass' is it's just a part ex price whereas Parkers try and cover private sale, main dealer sale and independent sale. Saying that, though, if you have some idea of px price, you have a better idea of the car's value.

However, the under/over value may depend if you are a buyer or seller!

Chris

Just look at the guy on here wanting a yellow Fabia, he paid £8k just over a month ago and the same dealer offers him £6.2k as a trade in now.

With a newish car it's hard because the owner wants top whack and forget they paid HMCE 17.5% for the pleasure of buying new. Now they are not VAT registered but still want to recoop some of it.

It depends. Is the Parker's price for make and model more or less than the Glass's one?

Also, I think Parker's price is a national average, but Glass's might be regional?

this is a old discussion. but imoa its a easy one to end. Parkers, what car, glasses etc want to sell their books. they do not sell cars, and have no interest in doing so. they sell publications.

now your dealers buys and sells cars. and look they are their to make profit, just like any other company. ive not come across a value in any of those "guides" that is actually correct. they over value part exchanges so they can get you to call a premo number to ask for a dealer who will aparently match the price they have in their books. (which they wont, not without increasing the price of the car you want to buy)

if you want to know the true value of your car to a dealer, go a a auction and find a car similar to what you have and see how much it goes for. that is the real value.

the only way to beat that is selling privately, if you can be bothered with the hassle of course

IMHO the part ex price they quote is against full price new cars.

So as soon as you look at used or discounted those prices go out the window.

IMHO the part ex price they quote is against full price new cars.

So as soon as you look at used or discounted those prices go out the window.

not true either im afraid. when i worked for citroen, even with their bonus px cashbacks of 1000 quid some prices were still away from what parkers said :eek:

this is a old discussion. but imoa its a easy one to end. Parkers, what car, glasses etc want to sell their books. they do not sell cars, and have no interest in doing so. they sell publications.

Although the last two times I've tried to px cars, they've looked the model up in the Glass' guide and offered me that as a price for the car. :confused:

Chris