How a van valuation actually works
An instant valuation is a starting benchmark — a floor you can take into any conversation. The final figure moves with condition, demand for parts, write-off category and how quickly you need the van gone.
Make & model
A Transit or T5 has a parts market a rare import does not. That gap is often larger than scrap weight.
Condition
Seized engine, no MOT, structural rust or a running van with a tired gearbox all price differently.
Write-off status
Cat N usually holds more than Cat S. Cat A cannot be sold. Cat B can only be sold for parts.
Metal markets
If the van is scrap-bound, the live steel price per tonne sets the floor.
Treat the first number as a floor
Instant tools are useful because they stop you guessing. They are not a ceiling. Get two or three quotes from different buyer types — an ATF, a salvage buyer and a van-specific platform — before you accept.
Be honest about faults when you request the quote. Collection-day reductions usually happen when the van does not match what was described.
- Have the V5C ready if you can — missing paperwork often trims the offer.
- Photos of the engine bay, damage and interior help lock the figure.
- Check MOT history on GOV.UK; it is free and takes two minutes.
What a valuation is not
- Not a dealer part-exchange. Dealers deduct repair cost and margin. Broken vans come out badly there.
- Not a private-sale asking price. A project buyer on Facebook may pay more, with more time and risk.
- Not a guarantee until confirmed. The collected van has to match the description.
Get your number now
Enter the registration. Use the result as your baseline before you speak to anyone else.