Online appraisals for vehicles

Online appraisals for vehicles you cannot bring to us

If you own a vehicle that falls outside one of our in-person coverage areas but still want a professional opinion of value, our online appraisals provide a convenient alternative. Instead of scheduling a site visit, you send us a complete set of current photos and key details, and our certified appraisers review everything remotely. This service is designed for situations where you do not need a report for legal matters, pre-purchase inspections, financing, insurance disputes, or rare vehicles that demand a physical inspection. By keeping the scope clearly defined, we are able to deliver accurate, well-supported value opinions based solely on the documentation you provide.

Many owners use our online appraisal option when they are simply curious about what their car is worth today or want a professional reference value for personal planning. Others may be preparing to sell a car in a private transaction and want confidence that their asking price is realistic before they list it. Whatever your reason, the process is straightforward: you gather the requested photos following our step-by-step image guide, upload the files securely through our image portal, and provide basic details about the vehicle's year, make, model, mileage, and condition. Our team then evaluates your documentation using the same market knowledge and methodology we apply to our in-person assignments.

What information do you need for an online appraisal?

Because we are not physically with the vehicle, the quality and completeness of your documentation is especially important for an online appraisal. Our photo instructions outline exactly what we need to see, including overall exterior views, close-ups of each side, interior seating and dash, odometer, engine bay, and any special options or modifications. Clear images that accurately show paint quality, trim, wheels, and any blemishes help our appraisers understand your car's condition as if they were standing next to it. In addition to photos, we recommend you provide details about service history, restoration work, upgrades, and where the vehicle has been stored, since these factors can influence value.

Submitting this information at the start helps avoid delays later in the process. When key images or documents are missing, we will reach out to request what is needed, which can extend the turnaround time beyond the typical 3–5 business days. Taking a few extra minutes up front to follow the instructions and double-check that all requested angles and details are included is one of the simplest ways to keep your appraisal on track. If you are unsure whether a particular feature, blemish, or document matters, it is always better to include it so the appraiser has the most complete picture possible.

How our online appraisal process works from start to finish

Once you have reviewed the image guidelines and collected your photos, the next step is to send your information to the email address listed on this page. In that message, you can include a brief description of your goals for the appraisal so our team understands how you intend to use the finished report. After your email is received, you will use our secure upload link to submit your images in one or more batches, making sure each file is clearly labeled so we can easily match it to your vehicle. If we have any follow-up questions or see gaps in the documentation, we will contact you directly to clarify details or request additional views.

From there, our appraisers research current market conditions for comparable vehicles, taking into account your car's year, model, options, mileage, and the condition reflected in your photos and notes. We rely on a combination of market data, auction results, and our own experience with similar vehicles to arrive at a supported opinion of value. This approach allows us to deliver an informed estimate even when we cannot see the car in person, while staying within the limitations described on this page. The end result is a detailed written report that you can save, print, or reference whenever you need to review the valuation in the future.

What you receive with your completed online appraisal

After we complete the research and analysis, we prepare a full-color appraisal report in PDF format and deliver both a hard-copy style PDF and an e-copy version for your convenience. Each report clearly states our opinion of value based on the information provided, explains the factors that influenced that value, and summarizes the supporting market context. While these appraisals are not intended for legal, financing, insurance claim, or inspection purposes, many vehicle owners appreciate having a professionally prepared document that goes well beyond a casual price estimate pulled from a listing site.

Because online appraisals start at a clearly stated flat fee per vehicle, you know your cost before you begin and can decide whether the service makes sense for your situation. If you later determine that you need a different type of appraisal — for example, a pre-purchase inspection or documentation for an insurance dispute — our team can guide you to the appropriate in-person service instead. For rare or unusually complex vehicles, we may recommend a site visit from the start, since those assignments typically require a deeper level of inspection than photos alone can provide.

When an online vehicle appraisal is and is not appropriate

Online appraisals work best when you are outside our normal on-site coverage areas and primarily need a knowledgeable, well-documented value opinion for personal use. They are not a substitute for physical inspections in transactions where another party, such as a lender, insurer, or court, requires documentation that meets specific legal or procedural standards. For that reason, we limit this service to non-legal, non-dispute situations and vehicles that can be accurately evaluated through photos and records. This clear boundary protects you by ensuring that the report you receive is used in the way it is intended and that you select the right type of appraisal for your needs.

If you have questions about whether your vehicle qualifies for an online appraisal or whether a different appraisal service might be a better fit, you are welcome to contact us before you email your information. We can explain the differences between an online and on-site appraisal, discuss typical timelines, and outline what to expect from each option. That way, you can move forward with confidence knowing that you have chosen the approach that aligns with both your location and your goals for documenting the vehicle's value.