How Long Does an Independent Vehicle Valuation Report Take?
The short answer: for a single vehicle, usually just a few hours from the moment we have everything we need. The longer answer is about what "everything we need" actually means, because that is what decides your timeline, not us.
Working to a deadline? Get a price for your valuation report and tell us the date you need it by.
The short answer
Most single-vehicle valuation reports, whether for HMRC, probate, DVLA registration or an insurance matter, are completed and returned within a few hours of receiving all the required information and photos. There is no queue of paperwork sitting between you and a signed report. The time it takes is almost entirely down to how quickly we can put together the details we ask for below.
What we need from you first
We work from what you tell us and send us, rather than requiring an inspection in person. To get started, we need:
Details we ask for
- Full name, as the registered keeper or importer
- Address
- Make and model
- VIN (chassis number)
- Year of registration
- Current mileage
- Engine size
- Fuel type
- Number of previous owners
- Any external damage, described and, if present, photographed
Photos we ask for
- One photo of each side of the vehicle: front, rear, driver's side and passenger's side
- One clear photo showing the mileage on the odometer
The more detail you give us, particularly around damage, service history and the number of previous owners, the more accurate the report will be. Vague or incomplete answers do not save time; they usually mean a follow-up email before we can proceed.
What happens after we have everything
Once we have your details and photos, we research genuinely comparable vehicles currently on the market for that make, model, age and specification. We assess the condition you have described against that research, apply any adjustments the vehicle needs (for mileage, condition, previous owners, damage or anything else relevant), and document the reasoning behind each one. The report is then written up and delivered to you as a signed PDF.
What can make it take longer
A few things push a report beyond the usual same-day turnaround. An unusual or rare vehicle takes longer to research simply because there is less market data to compare against. Missing details, such as an unclear VIN or a gap in the ownership history, mean we need to come back to you before we can finish. And if you send us a large or mixed collection of vehicles rather than a single car, each one still needs its own research and its own reasoning, so the timeline scales with the number of vehicles involved.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly can I get a valuation report?
Most single-vehicle reports are completed and returned within a few hours of us receiving all the information and photos we need.
What information do you need to start a valuation?
Your name and address, the vehicle's make and model, its VIN, registration year, mileage, engine size and fuel type, the number of previous owners, and details of any external damage.
How many photos do you need, and of what?
One photo of each side of the vehicle, front, rear, driver's side and passenger's side, plus one clear photo showing the mileage on the odometer.
How long is a valuation report valid for?
Generally around 6 to 12 months, depending on how the market for that particular vehicle is moving.
Ready to get your valuation started?
Send us your vehicle's details and photos and we will typically have your independent valuation report back to you within a few hours. Prefer email? Write to bassettpartner@gmail.com directly.
Get a price for my valuation reportYour price is confirmed in writing before any work begins.