When it comes to selling your car many people first check the Kelley Blue Book (KBB) value. It is a well known source that helps estimate car prices based on make model year mileage and condition. But the real question is does Kelley Blue Book give the correct value for junk cars
Kelley Blue Book and Older Cars
Kelley Blue Book is a great tool for cars that are still running and in decent condition. It works well for vehicles you can still drive trade in or sell to a private buyer. However when it comes to older cars high mileage vehicles or junk cars the values listed on KBB may not reflect what you will actually get.
That is because KBB assumes the car has resale value. A car that does not run has major damage or is only good for parts usually will not sell for the same price as a used vehicle in fair or good condition.
Why Junk Cars Are Different
Junk cars are mostly valued for:
- The metal weight of the vehicle
- Any working parts that can be resold
- The demand for scrap in your local market
KBB does not calculate prices based on scrap metal or salvage value which makes it less accurate for junk or non running cars.
What to Do Instead
If you have an older car or junk car you will likely get a better idea of its worth by contacting a cash for cars service like Boss Cash Cars. We buy junk cars based on their actual condition parts value and scrap worth — not just a book estimate.
Final Thoughts
Kelley Blue Book is useful for regular used cars but not the best source for junk cars. If your car is old damaged or no longer running KBB might show a higher value than what buyers will actually pay. The easiest way to know the real value is to get an instant quote from a junk car buyer near you.
