How to Spot a Good Deal on a Used Car

January 5, 2026·5 min read

The Challenge of Finding a Good Deal

Finding a good deal on a used car can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. With millions of vehicles on the market, how do you know if you're getting fair value?

Key Indicators of a Good Deal

1. Price vs. Market Value

The most fundamental indicator is how the asking price compares to the vehicle's market value. This isn't just about checking one website—true market value considers:

Comparable vehicles in your area

National pricing trends

The specific condition and mileage of this vehicle

How long it's been on the market

2. Days on Lot

A vehicle that's been sitting for 60+ days might indicate room for negotiation. Dealers are often motivated to move older inventory.

3. Price History

Has the price dropped recently? Multiple price reductions could signal either:

A motivated seller

An initially overpriced listing

Potential issues with the vehicle

4. Condition for Age

Look at the mileage relative to the vehicle's age. A 5-year-old car with 25,000 miles is very different from one with 100,000 miles.

How CarGenius Automates This

Our Deal Quality (DQ) score analyzes all these factors automatically. Instead of spending hours researching comparable vehicles and market trends, you get an instant score from 0-100:

**90-100**: Excellent deal—act fast

**75-89**: Good deal—worth serious consideration

**60-74**: Fair deal—at market value

**Below 60**: Consider negotiating or looking elsewhere

Final Thoughts

The best deals don't always announce themselves. By understanding what makes a deal "good" and using tools like CarGenius to analyze the data, you can confidently identify opportunities that others might miss.

Ready to find your next great deal? Try CarGenius and let our AI do the research for you.