Methodology

What Does a Car Valuer Need From You? Photos and Papers

Published 16 October 2026 · 5 min read

For a written valuation we ask for the vehicle's basic details, four photos of the sides and one of the odometer, anything you know about its condition and history, and the date the value is for. The purpose decides the date, and the date decides what we look at.

You do not need to be an expert, and you do not need a full file of papers before you start. This guide sets out what helps, and where the probate, divorce and insurance forms ask for the same details.

Ready to send the details? Get a price for your valuation report.

What details does a valuer ask for?

The core list is short: make, model, VIN if you have it, year, engine and variant, fuel type, transmission, mileage, number of previous owners, and whether the vehicle is left-hand or right-hand drive. These are the details that separate one car of a model from another, and mileage and age matter most. The Financial Ombudsman Service says differences in mileage or year of registration "could have a big effect on the value of the same model of vehicle".

On top of that we ask about the exterior, the interior and the mechanical condition, the service history, the MOT history where it applies, any accident history, known faults and the documents that go with the vehicle. Tell us the faults you know about, because they are part of the value.

How many photos do you need to send?

We ask for four photos of the sides of the vehicle and one of the odometer. Three photos is enough to start, and more is better, so a missing photo does not hold the valuation up. The photos are the main evidence for the exterior and interior. If they show a dent or a scratch you did not mention, it goes into the condition section anyway.

Photos cannot show the state of an engine. For the mechanical side we rely on what you tell us, such as warning lights, noises and faults, together with the general reliability record of that make, model and engine.

Not sure you have enough? Send what you have, with the make, model, year and mileage. We tell you what is missing before any work starts.

Get a price for my valuation report

Your price is confirmed in writing before any work begins.

How do you find the MOT history?

On GOV.UK you can check a vehicle's MOT history from its number plate. The page shows whether each test was passed or failed, the mileage recorded at each test and when the next MOT is due (GOV.UK, check MOT history). Results for cars, motorcycles and vans go back to tests from 2005.

What does the date change?

A valuation is a value on a date. Most requests are for today, but some are not, and that is the first thing to say when you ask.

Probate. The Inheritance Tax Act 1984, section 160, defines value as "the price which the property might reasonably be expected to fetch if sold in the open market at that time" (legislation.gov.uk). On form IHT407 the vehicles box asks for the manufacturer, model, year of manufacture, registration number, first registration and mileage for cars, the condition at the date of death and the open market value at that date, and it says to enclose a copy of any professional valuation (HMRC, form IHT407). So for an estate we need the date of death, and photos taken as close to it as you can find. Our guide to the IHT407 vehicles box goes column by column.

Divorce. Section 2.8 of Form E asks for personal belongings individually worth more than £500, including "Cars (gross value)", with a brief description and the total current value of your interest (Form E, January 2023). The value is the current one, and the form does not say how to reach it, so a written basis helps. Our guide to the Form E car value explains why.

Insurance. Before a claim, the useful thing is a documented value of the car as it is. The Ombudsman says agreed-value policies require an insurer to pay a previously agreed amount, so the figure is fixed in advance, and it now typically considers adverts when it assesses market value. Each insurer decides what it accepts. Our guide to agreed value against market value covers what insurers ask to see.

HMRC after an import. If the vehicle came from abroad and there is no invoice, the same details and photos apply. Our guide to the HMRC value of an imported car with no invoice sets out the situation.

What if you are missing documents or photos?

Send what you have. We flag any gap before the research starts, because discovering mid-report that the mileage or a condition detail is missing wastes your time.

Frequently asked questions

How many photos does a car valuation need?

We ask for four photos of the sides of the vehicle and one of the odometer. Three photos is enough to start, and more is better. Photos are the main evidence for the exterior and interior, so a dent or scratch they show goes into the condition section even if you did not mention it.

What details do I need to give a valuer?

Make, model, year, engine and variant, fuel type, transmission, mileage, number of previous owners, whether it is left-hand or right-hand drive, and the VIN if you have it. Add anything you know about condition, faults, service history, MOT history and accidents.

Does the valuation date matter?

Yes. For probate the value is the open market value at the date of death. For Form E in a divorce the form asks for the total current value of your interest. The date changes which adverts and which condition the valuer looks at.

What if I do not have all the documents?

Send what you have. We flag any gap before the research starts rather than guessing, and a missing document is not a reason to wait.

Ready to send the details?

We prepare independent valuations from the details and photos you send, with the comparables set out.