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How to Sell?

KBB Review 2024 – Is it Legit to Sell a Car?

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Written by: Michael Becker
Last Updated:

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KBB Review

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KBB or Kelley Blue Book is an online automotive resource that offers up-to-date vehicle information for all makes and models of cars. There are 2 ways you can use the KBB platform to sell your car. For one, you can leverage the KBB Instant Cash Offer, bring your car to the KBB Participating Dealer, and exchange your car for cash within a day. On the other hand, you can use the KBB price estimation tool to understand the fair price for your used car considering its condition and current market conditions. You can then sell your car privately with confidence and get the most out of your used car.

Legit & Safe

Offers Value

Turnaround Time

Payment Process

Pros

  • Provides an Instant Cash Offer and purchases your car within a day
  • Helps to determine your car’s value if you want to sell it privately
  • It’s free to use the KBB valuation tool
  • No obligations – you can use the KBB valuation tool and sell your car privately

Cons

  • You need to bring your car to the KBB Participating Dealer yourself
  • The Instant Cash Offer can be lower than you’d get through the private sale

KBB Reviews – Is KBB Legit?


Kelly Blue Book (KBB) has received a 1.6-star rating on Trustpilot, 4.5 on bestcompany, and 3.7 on Sitejabber. Most users consider KBB a great option for selling their cars. They also commented that KBB’s possible appraisal value is legit and extremely helpful.

Unfortunately, some users complained that the company’s instant cash offer is a complete scam. Many people claim that this scam hides the ridiculous offers that dealers present. 

Also, customers complained that they often found themselves misguided regarding the pricing value of their car in the market.

WebsiteRating
Trustpilot1.6
Bestcompany4.5
Sitejabber3.7

Does KBB Give Good Offers?


How much you can get for your car with KBB depends on its model, mileage, and make.

Is It Worth Selling Car With KBB?


KBB has operated for many decades and still performs in the current market. For many years, KBB has been a go-to source for potential buyers, individual sellers, and dealers of used cars. 

There are 2 ways you can use the KBB platform to sell your car. For one, you can leverage the KBB Instant Cash Offer, bring your vehicle to the KBB Participating Dealer, and exchange your car for cash within a day.

On the other hand, you can use the KBB price estimation tool to understand the fair price for your used car, considering its condition and current market conditions.

Considering all the key points mentioned above, I’d say using KBB to sell your car is worth it.

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KBB Instant Cash Offer: Sell or Trade-in Your Car


The KBB Instant Cash Offer is an excellent way to sell or trade your car quickly. The offer is based on trusted Blue Book Values, and the selling process is hassle-free. 

Let’s review the steps you need to take to get cash for your used car:

Step 1: Submit an Online Application

The first step to selling your car to KBB is to submit an online form with details about your car. Simply start by entering your VIN or license plate number on the KBB website and following the questionnaire.

The car details you’ll need to provide to KBB include:

  • Make and model of your car
  • Year of manufacturing
  • Mileage
  • Its current condition
  • Specifications 

Be honest about your car details and provide as much information as you can to get the most reliable Instant Cash Offer.

Step 2: Get an Instant Cash Offer

Within minutes of submitting your online application, the KBB agent will contact you with an instant cash offer. 

This offer is good for 7 days – you can either accept it or decline. No obligations.

Here’s how getting your car an estimate with KBB works:

Step 3: Redeem the Offer at a KBB Participating Dealer

If you decide to accept the KBB Instant Offer, you’ll need to bring in your car and the offer to one of KBB’s participating dealers. Make sure to check the KBB participating dealer locator to see where the nearest dealership in your area.

The KBB agent will review your car to see if everything checks to the information you’ve provided through the online form.

If they find any inaccuracies, your price offer can change.

Step 4: Get Cash for Your Car or Trade-in for a New Car

Once the KBB agent confirms the condition of your car, you can immediately get cash or a trade-in value towards your new car and go home.

KBB FAQs


What is KBB?

Founded in 1918, Kelly Blue Book, i.e., KBB, gathered its name from the name of the founder Les Kelley. Initially, the company was known as Kelley Kar Company. By 1926, the company got its famous name Kelley Blue Book.

KBB collected information from various sources, including banks, dealers, and businesses and published Kelley Blue Book in 1926. The book instantly became an industry standard for determining the used price of a vehicle. During the 1960s, the company left the car dealership and focused on releasing books to choose a used car price.

KBB specializes in providing the current market price of vehicles available. This includes used and brand-new models. KBB also provides dealers with trade-in prices and official prices of brand-new cars. 

What is the Kelley Blue Book price advisor?

The Kelley Blue Book Price Advisor is a range-based pricing tool that helps car buyers and sellers discuss prices realistically.

How does KBB work?

KBB is an online automotive resource that offers up-to-date vehicle information for all makes and models of cars. The word “Blue Book” refers to the value of a used or new vehicle. Kelley Blue Book standards have been known as the de facto norm in America since 1918. 

KBB allows you to;

  • Register and analyze all the pricing data
  • Determine your car’s market price
  • Determine the price of used vehicles
  • Get an instant offer and sell your car within a day

Various auction houses, car dealers, manufacturers, and others regularly inform KBB about used-car prices. Then, KBB’s website analyzes all the pricing data with past reports to determine your car’s market price.

In addition, the website studies the current economic condition, industrial growth, your car’s manufacturing date, etc. Therefore, the procedure helps determine the prices of used vehicles.

4 Types of KBB Valuations

There are 4 types of valuations KBB provides for different case scenarios. Let’s quickly review each case in detail:

  • Private-Party Price Value: It helps you determine how much you should pay for a used car from a private seller.
  • Trade-In Price Value: This tool helps you determine the amount you’ll likely get from a dealer when trading in your car.
  • Suggested Retail Price Value: The amount of money that a retailer usually asks for a specific used vehicle.
  • Certified Pre-Owned Price Value: It helps to determine the worth of a CPO-certified used car.

Who is KBB best for?

KBB is designed for users who want to know the current market price of available vehicles. The website is also meant for those who want to sell their cars and get an instant offer.

What types of vehicles does KBB purchase?

KBB purchases new and used vehicles, including Acura, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, and Bentley.

How fast can you sell your car with KBB?

KBB offers an Instant Cash Offer, which allows you to sell your car within one day. The offer is valid for seven days, so you have seven days to decide whether to accept or reject it.

KBB fees

Selling a car through the KBB Instant Cash Offer is free.

KBB payment options

Once your car is inspected, KBB will pay you cash or trade-in value towards your vehicle.

should I sell my car to kbb

How good is KBB support?

KBB offers an Instant Cash Offer, which allows you to sell your car within one day. The offer is valid for seven days, so you have seven days to decide whether to accept or reject it.

Documents you’ll need to sell your car to KBB

To finalize the sale, you’ll need to bring the following documents to a KBB Participating Dealer:

  • Your Instant Cash Offer certificate
  • You should bring your lienholder information if you don’t have a title because your car is financed. 
  • The vehicle registration
  • A valid driver’s license or any other government photo ID
  • All keys, keyless remotes, and manuals
  • Service and repair records

How to appraise your car with KBB?

For selling or trade-in, you need to know the value of your car in the current market conditions. KBB’s official website can certainly help you to calculate a rough estimate of your car’s value. 

So, let’s check out how you can appraise your car with KBB step-by-step:

  • Go to kbb.com and select car values, then choose my car value from the dropdown options.
  • Enter all necessary details, including the year of purchase, car brand, model number, mileage, and zip code.
  • Select the style of your vehicle based on the car’s model that you have previously entered.
  • Choose your car’s equipment, whether it’s all standard or you have modified some parts like the engine and transmission. Also, select the color of your vehicle.
  • You also need to enter the car’s condition. You can choose from four options: fair, good, very good, and excellent.
  • Based on the data you have entered, KBB will calculate the possible market value of your car.

Is the KBB fair purchase price accurate?

KBB is generally one of the most accurate sources for prices for buying and selling used vehicles.

Is KBB legit?

KBB is one of the most trusted guides for automobile pricing, used by those who are buying or selling cars.

Do dealers use KBB?

Dealers and other users use KBB to determine the value of trade-ins and compare the numbers to set their prices.

What is KBB fair market range?

The Fair Market Range is the range of prices that Kelley Blue Book estimates most people will pay for a specific car based on the make, model and style.

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Michael Becker

Dollarbreak

About the author:

Michael Becker is a car enthusiast and expert who has been working in the automotive industry for over 15 years. He started his career as a salesperson at a local dealership, where he learned the ins and outs of the car market. Then he moved on to flipping cars for a profit.

Michael has also helped many of his relatives and friends to sell their cars, using his knowledge and skills to get them the best deals. He will guide you through the process and help you avoid the common pitfalls.

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