Kelley Blue Book vs Black Book

The Kelley Blue Book® and Black Book are commonly known resources throughout the automotive industry when it comes to evaluating vehicles. But what do they mean for the average driver, and will you be able to use these resources for yourself?

In this Kelley Blue Book® vs. Black Book comparison, we at C. Harper Chevrolet will answer those questions. We’re here to work with drivers near Belle Vernon, Uniontown, Washington, or West Mifflin, PA, as they seek out accurate information regarding vehicle values.

Check out our article today to learn more. If you have additional questions about these tools, contact us at C. Harper Chevrolet today!

KELLEY BLUE BOOK® VS BLACK BOOK: HOW DO THEY DIFFER?

Data is a high priority when it comes to figuring out what exactly a car should be worth. The Kelley Blue Book® and Black Book obtain their data from a variety of sources to get accurate values. They look into trends within the market and analyze those trends to come up with prices.

They also both take into account various regional and seasonal differences that could affect the price of certain vehicles. They help users figure out where and when a vehicle may be the most valuable.

Of course, vehicle condition is also important when determining a value. The Kelley Blue Book® and Black Book evaluate prices for used vehicles based on how old they are, how many miles they have tallied, and what features they come equipped with.

These two sources do differ with other data, though. For example, the Black Book uses auction prices, vehicle transactions, and vehicle history reports to inform its numbers. The Kelley Blue Book®, on the other hand, uses its own proprietary set of information—over three trillion data points to be exact—to offer an incredibly comprehensive amount of data. It includes info from auctions, dealer sales, and private sales along with lease information.

A woman drinking coffee and shopping for a car online

DEALER-DRIVEN VS CONSUMER-DRIVEN USABILITY

Data aside, one of the other differences you’ll find with these two resources is their usability to you as an everyday consumer. You can go onto the Kelley Blue Book® website to find out values for new vehicles, and discover how much your current car is worth. Should you plan on purchasing a new car and trading in the previous one, you’ll be able to go to one site to find out all you’ll need regarding values.

The Black Book, on the other hand, is a resource limited to dealerships. It operates using a monthly or yearly subscription, making it less accessible for the average buyer wanting to get vehicle prices. Since you likely don’t need constant access to this information, it makes much more sense for only dealerships to use the Black Book.

A man and woman on a laptop

FINDING A USED CAR

FINDING A USED CAR When you’re looking for your next used car, research will be an important part of the process. Looking into prices will likely be one of the first factors you consider. You’ll also need a decent used inventory to browse through, and we have that here at C. Harper Chevrolet.

If you’re near the Belle Vernon, Uniontown, Washington, or West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, areas, you can visit us in person or browse through our selections online. Throughout your research, try out the Kelley Blue Book® to compare numbers.

Our team will be here to assist you with any questions you might have. Contact us or visit us today!

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