Selling your Kia within three years of ownership will maximize the chances that you’ll get up to 50% of its original value back upon resale. But there’s more at play than just the ticking clock—your Kia’s condition, mileage, and popularity all impact your car’s worth on the used car market.

Kias have risen in the ranks to become one of the more reliable brands on the market today. When you and your trusty Kia have taken your last road trip together, knowing the resale value of your car can make the goodbye a little less bittersweet.

It’s a harsh reality that the value of any vehicle depreciates the minute you drive it off the car lot, but knowing precisely how much it might get you upon resale is critical to both your financial planning and future car purchase.

Not in the mood to do the math? No worries!

Jerry

, the

car insurance

super app, is on the job. Here’s what you need to know about how to figure out the resale value of your Kia, and how to make sure you get the most out of it when it’s time to move on.

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What goes into determining my Kia’s resale value?

You and your Kia have been down a lot of roads together, from late-night snack runs to weekend getaways to never-ending commutes. While the memories may be priceless to you, that value doesn’t really carry over to the asking price.

Here are the main factors that contribute to your Kia’s resale value:

Depreciation: Before the new car smell had a chance to fade, your Kia depreciated. Kias, unfortunately, rank in the bottom half when it comes to resale value by brand, and certain models can depreciate by up to 60% after three to five years of ownership.

Mileage: Your car’s mileage is one of the biggest factors when it comes to its resale value. Generally, it’s best to average about 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year on a car. If your mileage is significantly more than that, it’s likely to pull down its resale value.

Accident history: Accidents can continue to be costly long after the insurance claims have been settled. Even if all the damage has been fully repaired, an accident can decrease your car’s value by between 15% and 30%.

Model popularity: If you have a Soul or a Telluride, these models tend to maintain their value better than others. On the other hand, the

Sorento

Sedona

, and

Cadenza

are all rather poor when it comes to holding their value.

Interior, exterior, and mechanical condition: How clean, well maintained, and scratch and dent free your Kia is are major aspects of how much you can expect to get when reselling.

MORE:

How to sell a car for the best price

Resale value vs. trade-in value

If you’re purchasing a new car, odds are you’re either trading in or selling your old one. Reselling and trading in both have their pros and cons, and the right choice for you will depend on your finances and willingness to deal with the resale process.

Trading in your old car at a dealership is the easier way to go, but it generally won’t be a cash payment. Rather, the amount will be put towards the purchase price of your new car. Additionally, you will usually get less money from a trade-in than from a private sale.

Reselling your car typically means more money in your pocket, but you’ll have to go through the rigamarole of

selling your car yourself

. This takes time, patience, and dealing with potential buyers. Depending on your circumstances, it may or may not be worth the extra effort.

What is the MSRP of my Kia?

What was the sticker price on your Kia when it was brand spanking new? Before you consider a resale or trade-in, you’ll want to know what your Kia’s original MSRP was.

Kelley Blue Book has a

handy guide

that lets you look up the value of any new or used car, and it’s a great resource for determining both the current value and the original MSRP of your Kia.

Key Takeaway Before you sell your Kia, make sure you know its current worth based on the MSRP, cosmetic and mechanical condition, age, accident history, and model type.

MORE:

Are Kias expensive to maintain?

How does wear and tear affect my Kia’s value?

Your car’s physical and mechanical condition is a key factor in determining its value, and the good news is that it’s mostly within your control. Keeping your car clean, damage-free, and making sure you get your recommended maintenance on time will do wonders for your resale value.

If your Kia is really dirty or has major cosmetic or mechanical defects, you can expect that to have a negative impact on the resale value.

How to calculate the resale value of your car

As luck would have it, there are several reputable

online calculators

and resources that can be quite helpful in determining the resale value of your car.

Car Edge reports that Kias are pretty lukewarm when it comes to resale value, with the exception of the Soul. They advise that a 2020 Kia is currently the best model year in terms of depreciation, with a Kia made that year holding an average of 71% of its new value today.

By comparison, a Kia purchased just four years earlier in 2016 will have slightly less than 50% of its new value intact.

Remember that while the model year plays a major part in determining your Kia’s resale value, factors like its mileage and overall condition can also have a big impact.

MORE: Trade-in vs private sale: What’s the best way to sell your car?

The bottom line: is my Kia worth reselling?

Now that you’ve taken all the factors into account, it’s time to make a decision. Do you trade-in or do you sell? If your Kia is in stellar cosmetic shape, has less than a 15,000 mile-per-year average, was new within the last three years, and is a popular model like a Soul or a Telluride, you’re likely to get a nice payout for a private sale.

If your Kia doesn’t meet all these criteria, consider making some last-minute enhancements to increase the likelihood of a profitable resale.

How to prep your Kia for resale

If you’ve decided to resell your Kia, it’s vital to make it look as close as you can to new. A good first impression of a clean, well-cared-for car can go a long way towards getting the asking price you want. Here’s where to start:

Get your car detailed. A thorough cleaning of every nook and cranny will make your Kia more attractive to potential buyers and is well worth the investment.

Get all routine maintenance done. Check your tires, change your oil, and make sure that all other recommended maintenance has been done. Having all your maintenance records and receipts shows potential buyers that your Kia has been well cared for.

Round up all the original parts. Manuals, key fobs, headrests, and any other original equipment should all be included with the sale of your car.

Attention to these details will make possible buyers feel confident that they are purchasing a car that is in good condition inside and out.

MORE: Kia paint codes

Finding cheap Kia car insurance

Whether you stick with a new Kia or start a new adventure with another brand, the one thing that won’t change is the need for good

car insurance

. If taking care of one more detail sounds less than appealing, never fear—comparison shopping super app

Jerry

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“With little to no work on my part,
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