Car valuation
The free price estimate is computed from the maksimi.fi database. Beyond the estimate you get a price range, the factors that move the price in euros, and the depreciation outlook for the coming years.
What is the estimate based on?
The estimate uses the same model as the price rating on every maksimi.fi listing: the comparison group is cars of the same make and model from nearby model years, both on sale and already sold. Age, mileage, power, fuel, gearbox, drive, body and equipment are priced separately, so you see in euros where your car's value comes from.
The estimate is a conditional median asking price: half of comparable cars ask less, half ask more. The price range (p10–p90) shows where most comparables fall. For an old car the range is wide, because condition decides.
What affects a car’s value the most?
Two factors above all: age and mileage. Depreciation is steepest in the first years and levels off after that, so neither reduces to a flat percentage. Next come version factors: automatic transmission, all-wheel drive and higher power carry clear premiums in most models, and battery capacity in EVs.
Among equipment, a tow bar, adaptive cruise control, leather seats, a panoramic roof and a parking heater typically carry value. The effect is model-specific: the same item is worth different amounts in different models, and equipment is priced from the comparable cars.
Car depreciation
A car loses value fastest in its first years, after which the decline levels off. The same goes for mileage: the first hundred thousand kilometres eat far more value than the next. A flat annual percentage therefore misrepresents both.
Across the whole market, a used car’s asking price falls by about 12.1% per year, but depreciation is strongly model-specific. The mileage curve shows how much value drops per 10,000 km, and the outlook reaches three years ahead at your current driving rate.
Private sale or selling to a dealer
The same car is priced differently depending on the seller: dealer asking prices run consistently above private sellers’ asking prices, because they include statutory liability and sales work. The estimate reflects private-seller pricing, and the breakdown separates the seller-type effect in euros.
When selling to a dealer, the offer typically lands below the market price, because the dealer prices in reconditioning and risk. A private sale leaves more pricing room, but the deal takes your own listing, viewings and paperwork.
Sale price or asking price?
Listings show asking prices, not final transaction prices, so the estimate describes the asking level, and deals typically close somewhat below it.
Frequently asked questions
How is a car’s value determined?
By comparing it to cars of the same model on sale and already sold. Enter the make, model, model year and mileage to get an estimate, a price range and a breakdown of the factors behind the price. Technical details and equipment sharpen it further.
How much does a car depreciate per year?
Across the whole market, a used car’s asking price falls by about 12.1% per year. The decline is steepest in the first years and levels off as the car ages; differences between models and fuel types are large. The estimate comes with an outlook three years ahead.
Is this the same as a dealer trade-in offer?
No. The estimate reflects asking prices on the consumer market. A dealer trade-in offer is typically lower, because the dealer prices in reconditioning, sales work and risk.
Why did my car not get an estimate?
An estimate is only given when there are enough comparable cars and your car falls within their range. A rare version, exceptional mileage or a small comparison group means no estimate is available.
What price should I list my car at?
The price range is the starting point: the lower end speeds up the sale, the upper end leaves room to negotiate. A car priced below the estimate finds a buyer sooner, but weigh the difference against how urgent the sale is: a few hundred euros off rarely pays for itself if you have time. You can also start at the upper end and come down later.