What a used vehicle appraisal is
A used vehicle appraisal is a dated, written opinion of value for one used vehicle. The person who signs it is responsible for the method and the number. That report is what a tax office, an insurer, or a court is looking for when money is attached to “what is it worth?”
A free market estimate is a price check. It looks at what similar used vehicles are listed for right now and gives you a range. It does not inspect your car. It is not signed. You should not hand it in as proof of value for provincial sales tax or a claim file. We explain that split on estimate versus appraisal.
Car Appraisal BC publishes information and free tools. We are not a licensed appraiser today. If you later need a signed report, that is a separate licensed service — not something this page can issue.
When a free asking-price check is enough
Use a free check when you are setting an asking price, comparing a trade-in offer, or seeing whether an insurance number is even close. Those are personal decisions. You do not need a licensed report to list a used car or to decide whether a dealer’s offer feels low.
Start here if you only need a used vehicle appraisal figure for planning. Enter the year, make, model, and kilometres. The tool looks at current ads in British Columbia and shows a private asking range and a dealer asking range. That is research, not a signed appraisal.
How to get a used vehicle appraisal, step by step
1. Decide why you need the number. Selling, tax, a write-off, or a loan each asks for a different kind of proof.
2. Run a free price check first. If the ads already answer your question, stop there. There is no need to pay for a report you will not use.
3. If a counter, insurer, or court needs a signed value, gather photos of all sides, the odometer, any damage, and the service papers you have.
4. Ask a qualified appraiser for a report that matches the job. For British Columbia provincial sales tax, that is usually the government motor vehicle appraisal form (FIN 320). For a claim, it is an independent report you can put next to the insurer’s number.
5. Keep the signed copy with your bill of sale or claim file. A verbal number is not enough.
Car appraisal for tax purposes
On many private used-car sales in British Columbia, provincial sales tax is charged on the higher of two numbers: the price you paid, or the average wholesale figure from a published book. That is why a cheap private sale can still be taxed as if the car were worth more.
If the used car is genuinely worth less — high kilometres, unrepaired damage, or a rough history — the usual paperwork is the government motor vehicle appraisal form, often called FIN 320. A qualified appraiser records the condition and value on that form. A website estimate cannot take its place.
Use the tax calculator for the math. Use the FIN 320 guide for the form. This used vehicle appraisal guide is only here to tell you when that path applies.
When a write-off may need a used vehicle appraisal
If a used vehicle is badly damaged, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia may treat it as a write-off (a total loss) and offer a payout based on its value just before the crash. You can start by comparing repair cost, market ads, and the offer. That is what the write-off calculator is for.
Their own valuation is not the same as an independent report you later bring as evidence. If the gap is large and you have matching ads, receipts, and photos, you may later choose a licensed appraisal. Do not treat a free calculator result as an official insurance decision. This site is independent.
What this site can do today
Use the guides and the three tools above. They are free and do not ask for a phone number. If licensing is completed later, a licensed appraisal may be offered as its own service. Until then, treat everything here as information and market research — useful, and not a substitute for a signed used vehicle appraisal.
For British Columbia rules in more detail, see vehicle appraisal in British Columbia and the broader car appraisal overview.
FAQs
What is a used vehicle appraisal?
A used vehicle appraisal is a written opinion of what one used car, truck, or sport utility vehicle is worth on a specific date. A qualified person inspects the vehicle (or a full set of photos), records condition and kilometres, and signs the report. A free asking-price check on this site is different: it compares current ads and is for research only.
Do I need a used vehicle appraisal to sell my car?
Usually no. To set an asking price or to compare a dealer offer, a free price check from current ads is enough. You need a signed appraisal when a tax counter, an insurer, a court, or a bank asks for a documented value — not just a printout of ads.
When do I need a car appraisal for tax purposes?
In British Columbia, provincial sales tax on many private sales is charged on the higher of the price you paid or the published book average. If the car is genuinely worth less than that book figure, the usual path is the government motor vehicle appraisal form (FIN 320). A website estimate cannot replace that form.
Is a used vehicle appraisal the same as a history report?
No. A history report tells you about accidents, registrations, and odometer records. An appraisal is a dated value for this specific vehicle. This guide is not trying to replace a national history-report brand.
Can I start with a free check before I pay for a report?
Yes. Start with the asking-price tool if you only need a market range. If a counter or claim later requires a signed report, that is a licensed service and is separate from this website.
Informational only, not tax or legal advice, and not a decision by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. Free tools on this site are market research, not a licensed appraisal. Licensed appraisal work, if you need it, is separate. Confirm current tax and claim rules on the official government and insurer websites. Car Appraisal BC is not affiliated with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, the Government of British Columbia, any dealer, or any insurer.