What is my company car worth?

The value of a company car or van is determined by a combination of factors. If you want to estimate the price of your vehicle, it's best to look at the full picture rather than a single data point.

The most important factors

• Make and model, some brands hold their value better than others.
• Year and mileage, together they give an indication of wear, but they don't tell the whole story.
• Overall condition, service history, bodywork and mechanics weigh heavily.
• Trim and options, engine, transmission and equipment affect the price.
• VAT status, whether it's a VAT-deductible vehicle plays a role in the final amount.
• Market demand, current demand for that type of vehicle helps determine what it will fetch.

Why a professional valuation helps

Online price calculators often give a rough estimate based on a few fields. A professional buyer takes into account the actual condition of the vehicle and the current market situation. That gives you a more realistic picture of what your vehicle is worth today.

Signs of wear that deter a private buyer usually matter less to a professional buyer. Even vehicles with damage or high mileage still have a clear residual value.

Tips for an accurate estimate

Gather your vehicle's details (make, model, year, mileage, fuel) and be honest about its condition. The more complete and accurate the information, the more precise the offer. A no-obligation valuation costs nothing and commits you to nothing.

Ready to sell? Check out sell company car or sell van, or go straight to your brand for a targeted valuation. If your vehicle comes from a leasing contract, read end of lease: what now.

Many employees with a company car wonder whether they should trade it in for a higher gross salary. The answer depends on your personal situation, but a simple calculation can clarify a lot. The key factor is the benefit in kind (BIK), the taxable amount added to your gross salary each month for private use of the car. The lower the list price and CO2 emissions, the lower the BIK, and therefore the more advantageous the car.

Suppose you can hand in your company car and receive €400 extra gross per month in return. If the BIK of your current car is €150 per month, your taxable income increases by €250 net (€400 minus the removal of the BIK addition). Depending on your tax bracket, you might keep €125 to €150 net. Against that, you would have to buy, insure, maintain and fuel a private car yourself, costs that quickly exceed that net amount. With your own car, you pay for fuel, maintenance, tyres, insurance and road tax entirely out of pocket. With a company car, those costs are often included, as are breakdown assistance and a replacement car.

Comfort also plays a role: you usually drive a newer, reliable car without worrying about unexpected repairs. That explains why many employees don't want to trade their company car for net salary; the overall picture often favours the car. Still, trading in can be interesting if you drive few kilometres, barely use the car privately, or already have a fuel-efficient, low-maintenance car. So don't just calculate your gross salary: list all the car costs you would have to bear yourself. That comparison gives you real insight into the value of your company car.

Estimating a realistic price starts with good comparison material. Online ads for similar commercial vehicles quickly give you a picture of the current market value. Look on platforms like Marktplaats, Gaspedaal, or AutoScout24 for vehicles with the same make, model, year, fuel type, mileage, and trim level. Pay attention to asking prices, not final sale prices, a seller usually still negotiates.

A license plate check on the RDW website provides objective information: the date of first registration, the number of previous owners, the last recorded mileage at MOT, the fuel type, and the emission class. This data helps you avoid overestimating. Combine the RDW check with a free online valuation tool. These tools compare your license plate data with thousands of transaction prices and give a range for current value, trade-in value, and resale value. Some tools also show a price chart by mileage, ideal for seeing what extra kilometers do to the value.

Don't forget to look at the maintenance history. A fully completed service book, recent invoices for major services, and a timing belt replacement increase buyer confidence and therefore the price. Also check the condition of the tires, brakes, and bodywork. Damage, no matter how small, gives a buyer room to negotiate. Honestly note all defects before making a value judgment, that prevents disappointments when you receive an offer.

When you look up the value of your commercial vehicle, you'll come across three terms that are used interchangeably: current value, trade-in value, and resale value. It's worth knowing the difference, because it often saves thousands of euros.

• Current value is the current market value of your vehicle at a given moment, taking into account age, condition, and mileage. Insurers use the current value to calculate compensation in the event of a total loss.
• Trade-in value is the amount a garage or dealer offers you when you trade in the van for another one. It is lower than the current value, because the dealer must take a margin, perform an MOT, do any repairs, and offer a warranty.
• Resale value is the price you can get when selling to a private buyer. It is usually the highest, but it costs you more effort: you have to advertise yourself, arrange viewings, and negotiate.

For a commercial vehicle you want to sell to a buyer, you often get an offer that falls between current value and trade-in value. A buyer doesn't calculate a trade-in bonus, but looks objectively at the condition of the vehicle. As a result, the offer can be higher than with a classic trade-in. Therefore, always request multiple bids and compare the amounts with the self-calculated current value. That way you never negotiate below the actual value.