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| Guidebook (print) FAQs |
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Q. Using the guidebook, how
do I calculate a NADA Value?
Q. How can I identify the
model year of a vehicle?
Q. What do the guidebook
abbreviations represent?
Q. What values are included in the NADA Official Used Car Guide®?
Q. What values aren't included in the NADA Official Used Car Guide and why?
Q. Should I add for a certain
option or is it standard?
Q. How do I calculate NADA
values for Light-Duty Trucks?
Q. What 10 guidebook regions are the states
divided into?
Guidebook (print) FAQs
Q. Using the guidebook, how do I
calculate a NADA Value?
(Back to
top)
A. How to calculate a NADA value using the NADA
Official Used Car Guide
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Look at the cover of your Guide to make sure you have
the right region and the most current month. A break down of each region is
listed on the inside back cover.
-
Identify the correct model year, make and body style of the vehicle to
be valued, as well as current mileage and any options.
-
Look up the page number of the make in the table of contents, turn to that page.
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Locate the vehicle to be valued based on all available information: year,
body style, engine size, manufacture's model number, VIN, etc.
-
The NADA base value is published next to the body type description,
the choices are Trade-in (Rough, Average, Clean), Clean Loan and Clean Retail.
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Select the appropriate NADA base value as your starting point.
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The NADA base value may need to be adjusted for mileage. The adjustment applies to the NADA base value, so make mileage adjustments before adding options.
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Now, select the option(s) that apply and add/deduct the corresponding figures to appropriate values (trade-in, loan, retail +/- mileage adjustment). For additional truck options, to refer to the Truck Options page for additional options not included under each vehicle.
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Note that not all options listed under each vehicle group are applicable to all the body styles. The body styles for which an option is standard will be shown in parentheses denoted by "Std.", or with an asterisk footnote. Do not add these option values. However, certain options are only available on certain body styles. Where applicable, the body style will be listed in parentheses after the option, without the Std. Designation. You need to add these values.
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Again, remember that any reconditioning adjustment is your call based on experience. The value you just calculated is for a clean vehicle.
The NADA Official Used Car Guide® is an appraisal reference tool
and not a price list.
Q. How can I identify the model
year of a vehicle?
(Back to
top)
A. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs)
In 1981 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Department
of Transportation required all manufacturers selling motor vehicles in the
United States to use a standardized 17-character Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN). This standard establishes a format that makes exact vehicle
identification easy. Prior to 1981, numerous VIN formats were used which made
vehicle identification difficult.
VIN's are printed on a small metal plate usually located on the left side of
the dashboard visible through the windshield. Some models and makes place the
VIN plate on the inside of the left windshield pillar.
The 10th digit of the VIN indicates the model year. This will be true on all
vehicles since 1981. Please refer to the following chart for model year
indicator codes.
MODEL YEAR INDICATOR
(10th VIN Position)
Code/Model Year
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
J
K
L
M
N
P
R
S
T
V
W
X
Y
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 |
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
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Q. What do the guidebook abbreviations represent?
(Back to top)
A. Abbreviations:
3 Cyl.
4 Cyl.
L4
Quad 4
5 Cyl.
6 Cyl.
I6
V6
V8
V10
V12
B&S
BHP
C.I.D.
LD
HD |
Three Cylinder Engine
Four Cylinder Engine
Four Cylinder Engine
Four Cylinder Engine
Five Cylinder Engine
Six Cylinder Engine
Inline Six Cylinder Engine
"V" Configured Six Cylinder Engine
"V" Configured Eight Cylinder Engine
"V" Configured Ten Cylinder Engine
"V" Configured Twelve Cylinder Eng.
Bore & Stroke
Brake Horsepower
Cubic Inch Displacement
Light Duty (truck)
Heavy Duty (truck) |
4 Spd.
5 Spd.
6 Spd.
2WD
4WD
AWD
FWD
RWD
DRW
PS
AC
AT
GVW
Tax HP
W.B.
Ch & Cab |
Four Speed Manual Transmission
Five Speed Manual Transmission
Six Speed Manual Transmission
Two Wheel Drive
Four Wheel Drive
All Wheel Drive
Front Wheel Drive
Rear Wheel Drive
Dual Rear Wheels
Power Steering
Air Conditioning
Automatic Transmission
Gross Vehicle Weight
Taxable Horsepower
Wheelbase
Chassis & Cab |
Q. What values are included in the NADA Official Used Car Guide®?
(Back to top)
A. We have three Trade-in values (Rough, Average, Clean), Clean Loan and Clean Retail,
Trade-In
- NADA’s estimated Trade-In value for a vehicle in rough, average or clean condition (see vehicle condition definitions) and mileage falling within NADA’s assumed mileage range.
Clean Loan
- NADA’s suggested amount of credit that may be obtained on a vehicle based on the Clean
Trade-In value. Providers of vehicle financing determine the amount of credit they are
willing to extend on a vehicle.
Clean Retail
- NADA’s estimated Clean Retail value for a vehicle in clean condition and mileage falling
within NADA’s assumed mileage range.
Q. What values aren't included in the NADA Official Used Car Guide and why?
(Back to top)
A. . Auction values are not included in the printed guidebook due to the frequency of their updates. Updated weekly, auction values are available electronically in NADA Online, NADA e-Valuator, NADA e-Valualtor for Dealers and Web Service.
Q. Should I add for a
certain option or is it standard?
(Back to top)
A. Car option explanations
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Options are considered standard on a vehicle if that vehicle is listed in
parentheses following "Std.":
e.g.- "Add Power Seat
(Std. Accord V6)"
In this case, the option value would not be added to those vehicles following
"Std."
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Option values may be added to the base NADA value if that vehicle is listed
in parentheses:
e.g.- "Add 7/8 Passenger Seating (Base
Caravan)"
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Truck option explanation
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In order to determine the NADA value for truck option packages, users
should add for the trim level and then add for any additional options listed
with that vehicle.
e.g.- The NADA value of a 1997 GMC Yukon 4D SLT
would be determined by adding the trim and option values to the base value of
the vehicle: "Add SLT Trim 4D" "Add Compact Disc
Player" "Add Leather Seats" In this case, the
option value may be added ONLY to vehicles listed in parentheses.
-
Option values should NOT be deducted from base NADA value if that vehicle
is listed in parentheses following "Ex.":
e.g.- "Deduct
W/out Automatic Transmission (Ex. M3 Coupe, 540i)"
In this case, the option value may be deducted from any vehicle EXCEPT those
vehicles following "Ex."
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Q. How do I calculate NADA values for
Light-Duty Trucks?
(Back to top)
A. To determine the NADA value for four particular types of Light-Duty Trucks (please see table below), users
will no longer have to add for trim level and/or drive type, as these adjustments will be addressed at the vehicle level. This significant enhancement is
effective as of the January 2008 edition of the NADA Official Used Car Guide.
| Make/Model |
Model Year |
Trim Package |
| Chevrolet Silverado
|
2001 - 2008
|
LS, LT, LTZ, Z71
|
| Dodge Ram
|
2001 - 2008
|
SLT, Sport, Laramie, TRX4, SLT Plus
|
| Ford F-Series
|
2001 - 2008
|
XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Harley Davidson, Amarillo
|
| GMC Sierra
|
2001 - 2008
|
SLE, SLT
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Q. What 10 guidebook regions are the states
divided into?
(Back to top)
A. 10 guidebook regions (PDF file)
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