How to Find Blue Book Value

Calculating the current market value of your car can present some challenges if you do not know what resources to use. Named for the Kelley Blue Book, a price guide for all vehicles that originally was created by car dealers, blue book value is an important variable to calculate before you sell your car or trade it in. Use three types of resources to find your car's blue book value.

Instructions

1

Check the Kelley Blue Book. The Kelley Blue Book is a blue booklet containing pricing data and resale values on 15 years' worth of cars. All makes and models are available in the book. Check your local public library for a copy of the Kelley Blue Book. Libraries usually keep the book in the reference section. The publisher of the Kelley Blue Book also offers an online version of the book. For a small fee you can purchase access to up-to-date data on used car values.

2

Use dealer resources. Talk to a local dealer that sells the type of car you own and ask him to help you find your car's blue book value. Dealers usually keep reference materials, pricing information and data on which models hold value in their showrooms. Although most dealers will only have information for the brands of cars they sell, the data they have should help you find your car's blue book value. The National Automobile Dealers Association publishes a book that helps consumers appraise the value of their cars. The association's website offers a digital version of the book, along with tools to help you calculate your car's blue book value.

3

Examine consumer pricing and purchase sites. Groups like Carmax and Edmunds offer pricing information on a variety of makes and models of cars, including tools to help you calculate blue book value. Carmax offers a free appraisal service for owners who are thinking about selling their cars. The service includes calculating blue book value for your car. Edmunds' educational portal provides tools to help you research blue book value, sorting these pricing guides by manufacturer. With a few mouse clicks, you can calculate the blue book value of your car.