How do I find out how much my used car is worth?
Discovering how much your car is worth can be a multifaceted exercise where checking through comparable listings on sites like AutoTrader, contacting your insurer for an estimated value and also getting a dealership valuation. If you're looking for a simple way to sell your car, try AutoTrader's Instant Offer tool today!
Alternatively, you can make use of our handy online tool. Simply click the link below to get started.
Get a free valuation of your car here
How to find out how much your BMW is worth
For the first time in its three-model lifespan, BMW's most attainable car, the 1 Series is now based on a front-wheel drive architecture, making it more practical and efficient. With the three generations in mind, knowing which model you have and the registration year is crucial to get an accurate value on your vehicle. Once you know all of the details about your specific car, you can search the AutoTrader platform for similar models, which will give you an idea of how much your car is worth.
What affects the value of your BMW 1 Series?
No two pre-owned cars are identical, but before we approach the specifics, your vehicle make, model and specific variant or potential optional extras must be ascertained.
The year model and mileage are incredibly important factors too, and since South Africans drive, on average, between 15 000-25 000 km a year, you'll be able to calculate how your car compares with the market average. Bear in mind that the higher the mileage, the less your car will ultimately be worth.
The overall condition and service history are also key factors, and will ultimately be the deciding factors as to what your vehicle is worth!
Do BMW 1 Series models hold their value?
BMW is a premium brand, and all of its products are then inherently prone to depreciation, however, looking at the residual values of the latest 1 Series on the AutoTrader platform while cross-referencing them with new pricing, the product seems to hold its value reasonably well.
How to increase the value of a BMW 1 Series
It is quite simple to ensure that your 1 Series is worth more than the average example, look after it! By that, we mean to ensure that it is taken in for its complimentary annual services (valid for 5 years/100 000km from new), not bumping or scratching the car, not kerbing the wheels or exposing the exterior and interior to excessive sun.
If you've decided to sell, it may be worth spending a few Rands sorting out a few of the common used car problems. Fit a new set of tyres or fix the smaller issues which will increase the perceived value of your vehicle significantly!
