Kellys Blue Book Vs NADA Vs Edmunds Guide – The Differences in Blue Book Automotive Price Guides

You’ll always feel more confident that you’re getting the best value when buying or selling a car if the total transaction costs are close to the average amount buyers in your area typically pay for the same make, model, year and trim. However, finding the most accurate blue book for car price guide can be difficult. They all claim to provide fair and unbiased market values ​​for your car; however, when comparing them, you will find significant discrepancies between the different price guides due to differences in their evaluation methods. Notable, widely used and accepted car price guides include Kellys Blue Book for Cars, National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA Car), and Edmunds Guide. So, which is the most reliable guide among the three?

A sign of reliability is the appraiser’s years of experience in the market. Among the three, Kellys Blue Book for Cars is the oldest, first printed in 1926 and continuing to serve as a bastion of trusted information for more than 80 years. Shortly thereafter, in 1933, NADA printed its first car evaluation guides. The youngest is Edmunds Guide, established in 1966. Of the three, Kellys Blue Book has the longest history of unparalleled service, establishing it as a standard in car appraisal guides. The Blue Book for Cars has an extensive established database and a proven methodology that is continually being refined.

Another sign of accuracy is the integrity of the data and the frequency with which it is updated. Blue Book for Cars, NADA Car, and Edmunds Guide offer similar information, such as private parties for new and used cars, and detail retail values, trade-in values, and tips on how to buy, sell, or trade in your car. Plus, they all have easy-to-access websites that make it easy to find car details and reviews. So how are they different from each other?

In addition to their websites, both KBB and NADA regularly publish and update easy-to-carry paperbacks in various versions to suit the specific needs of their readers, only Kellys Blue Book for Cars is published in its signature blue colour, while NADA Car is bright yellow. The Kellys Blue Book Used Car Guide is updated every 2 months, the KBB New Car Guide is updated 4 times a year, and the KBB Consumer Guides are updated twice a year. Meanwhile, the online data for Kellys Auction, Kellys Trade-in, Kellys Wholesale Lending and KBB Retail Values ​​is updated weekly, making the information more useful for car dealers and buyers alike. . In contrast, the NADA car consumer guide is updated 4 times a year and the online data is updated monthly. Edmunds Guide, on the other hand, has stopped printing its portable book version since 2006, making it difficult to take a copy with you when negotiating the final price of your car. Plus, it only updates its online True Market Value (TMV) pricing tools monthly. So if you want more up-to-date values ​​for your car, it sounds like Kellys Blue Book will serve you better.

In addition to the normal guide content, both Kellys Used Car Guide and NADA Car Consumer Edition can also provide you with Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN), easy-to-use equipment programmings with values ​​for optional equipment , acceptable mileage range table values, credit checking service that can assess your credit score and what type of loan you might qualify for, and retail values. However, Kellys Blue Book for Cars provides retail value over a longer period of time, over 15 years compared to the less than 10 years covered by NADA Car. In addition, Kellys Blue Book will also provide you with list price information your car’s original value, Kellys Auction values ​​(how much a vehicle is expected to sell for at a wholesale auction) and Kellys Wholesale Lending (expected financial value of a fully reconditioned vehicle). not found in other guides. Meanwhile, Edmunds Guide is proud to provide True Market Value (TMV) pricing for new and used vehicles, detailed histories on popular models, and certified used vehicle information. However, Kellys Blue Book, NADA Car, and Edmunds Guide retail prices or TMVs do not take into account the buyer’s credit details that could greatly affect the final price of your vehicle, although they do have hookup sites that will help you apply for a loan. easily. Steps.

Wait now, the most important determinant of reliability has yet to be discussed, and that is the accuracy of the values ​​provided by these guides. Many experts would tell you that the most accurate car price guide is one that provides vehicle values ​​that are closest to the actual “selling price” in the market, which actually varies from day to day and place to place. New car prices aren’t a big deal, but used car values ​​differ significantly due to many factors, primarily your car’s condition, age, and mileage. To get the most accurate value, one has to monitor and analyze a large amount of private, merchant, and auction data. That’s a difficult feat at the best of times, and to be fair, none of the three – Kellys Blue Book for Cars, NADA Car, or Edmunds Guide offer absolutely true or accurate values ​​based on analysis of the current condition of your car. In the end, the one with the most experience will likely provide the closest estimate and it is now an established fact that Kellys Blue Book has always been a leader and industry standard in car appraisal services.