What is the fair price for a certain used car or truck?

How do we calculate the "fair price" of used car or truck?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the typical car is driven 15,000 miles per year. The average age of vehicles on the road in the United States is about 11 years according to the research firm R. L. Polk, which tracks vehicle sales and registrations. That works out to 165,000 miles which is the number we used to estimate vehicle longevity for this calculator.

Unless you are collector of antique or classic cars that will be displayed somewhere, when you buy a used car or truck, you are betting that your purchase will provide reliable longterm transportation. Therefore, this calculator considers the remaining amount of mileage you can expect from a used vehicle.

According to the New York Times, in the 1960s and 1970s, the typical car reached its end of life around 100,000 miles, but due to manufacturing improvements such as tighter tolerances and better anti-corrosion coatings, in the 2000s the typical car lasts closer to 200,000 miles.

Original Price Of This Vehicle
What was the original list price or manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of this or of a similar year and vehicle? Estimated MSRP OK. (Numerals only; no currency signs, commas nor decimal points)
If you don't know the MSRP, use the "Check Vehicle MSRP" form below.*
$
Mileage
How many miles are on the odometer? (Numerals only; no commas nor decimal points)
Vehicle Condition
Excellent condition: Looks new, excellent mechanical condition. Never had any paint or body work and is free of rust. Clean title history. Will pass a smog and safety inspection. The engine compartment is clean, with no fluid leaks and is free of any wear or visible defects. Complete and verifiable service records.
Good condition: Free of any major defects. Clean title history, the paint, body and interior have only minor (if any) blemishes. No major mechanical problems. Little or no rust. Tires match and have substantial tread wear left. May need some reconditioning.
Fair condition: Some mechanical or cosmetic defects and needs servicing but is still in reasonable running condition. Clean title history, the paint, body and/or interior need work performed by a professional. The tires may need to be replaced. There may be some repairable rust damage.
Poor condition: Severe mechanical and/or cosmetic defects and is in poor running condition. May have problems that cannot be readily fixed such as a damaged frame or a rusted-through body. "Branded title" (salvage, flood, etc.) or unsubstantiated mileage is considered "poor."

* Check Vehicle MSRP
Type in "MSRP" and year, make & model:

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