Price indicators on car listings
What the Great, Good and Fair price labels price labels on car listings mean, and how we work them out.
Find out what Great, Good and Fair price labels mean on car listings and how we work them out.
What are price indicators
Price indicators show how a car’s asking price compares with similar cars on Trade Me, so you can get a quick sense of whether a listing is fairly priced. You’ll see the price indicator label next to the asking price.
We’re trialling price indicators, so some members will see them and others won’t yet.
What do the labels mean
There are three price indicator labels:
- Great price – well below the average price for similar cars
- Good price – below the average price for similar cars
- Fair price – around the average price for similar cars.
Select the info icon next to the label to see a scale showing where the car’s asking price sits compared with similar cars.
How we work out the label
We compare the asking price with cars of the same make, model, year and kilometres that were listed on Trade Me in the last 6 months.
- For the scale, we use the same average price you’ll see in Value My Car.
- We check the label when a listing starts, and again each time the seller edits it.
- The label is not a valuation of the car. It’s a guide only.
Remember, a car's asking price is not necessarily what it sells for. Other websites use different data, so their averages might not match ours.
What the label doesn’t tell you
The label only looks at the price, and assumes the car is in good condition. It doesn’t include:
- the car’s condition or service history
- whether the odometer reading is correct
- any accidents or damage
- differences between imported models
- modifications made to the car, or extras added to it
- anything else included in the sale.
Before you buy, read the full listing, ask the seller questions, and consider a pre-purchase inspection.
Why a car might not have a label
We can't always make a comparison. A listing may not have a label when:
- the car is priced under $10,000 or over $40,000
- there aren’t enough similar cars to compare it with
- the car is unusual, rare or heavily modified.
Dealer listings
Price indicators aren’t on dealer listings yet.
Dealer and private prices are often different. Dealers usually spend money getting a car ready to sell, and when you buy from a dealer you’re covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act.
If you’re selling a car
If you’re selling a car privately for between $10,000 and $40,000, your listing might show a price indicator.
- The label is based only on your asking price.
- You can’t choose, pay for or remove a label.
- If you change your asking price, the label might change too.
- You might not see the label on your own listing, even if some buyers can.
A Fair price label is a good thing. It tells buyers your price is right around the average for similar cars.