Probate vehicle valuation
A written valuation of the vehicle at the date of death, with the comparable cars set out, for the probate forms. We confirm the price first, and the report is usually with you the same day.
Free price first. No obligation.
5.0 from 10 verified client reviewsOur site only went live in September 2026, so the number of reviews is still small. Every one comes from a real client and is checked before it goes up.
From HMRC's notes to the IHT400, which we read on 2 November 2026. More in our guide to open market value for probate.
The open market value on the date of death, not today's value and not an insurance or replacement figure.
Its condition on that day: mileage, damage, a repair half done. Not a clean example of the same model.
If HMRC asks how you reached it, a report that sets out the comparable cars and the adjustments is easier to explain than a single advert.
Cars go on the household and personal goods schedule, IHT407. Our guide to the IHT407 vehicles box shows what goes in it.
Make, model, mileage, condition, photos and the date of death.
We reply with the price and an invoice. Nothing starts until it is paid.
The written report, with the comparables set out, is usually with you the same day.
Free price first. No obligation.
HMRC's notes say you do not have to pay for one for an ordinary second-hand car you can estimate from public data. They advise a professional valuation if an item may be worth more than £1,500, or you are not sure.
HMRC does not name a damaged, modified, imported or classic car. In our view public data describes those cars poorly, so an estimate is hardest to support there. See who can value a car for probate.
An instant online figure is a price for a typical car in typical condition, and often a trade or part-exchange price. Probate asks for the open market value of this car, in its condition, on that date. Our guide explains why online valuations look low.
Bassett Valuations is a trading name of Bassett & Partners LTD, a company registered in England and Wales, company number 15737912. Every report is written for the vehicle in front of us, and every price is confirmed to you in writing before any work begins. Our terms and privacy policy are on this site.
The open market value on the date of death: the price the car would realistically have fetched if it had been sold at auction or otherwise advertised publicly. HMRC's notes to the IHT400 say so, and they ask for that figure, not an insurance or replacement value.
Not always. HMRC's notes say you do not have to get one for an ordinary second-hand car you can estimate from public data. They advise a professional valuation if you think an item may be worth more than £1,500, or you are not sure.
HMRC's notes name no qualification. What matters is that the figure is the open market value at the date of death and that you can show how you reached it. Our guide Who can value a car for probate? goes through it.
You send the details and photos, we confirm the cost in writing, and once that is paid the written valuation is usually with you the same day.
The make, model, VIN, mileage, the date of death and photos of the car, plus anything that affected its condition, such as damage or a repair in progress.
We cannot promise how HMRC or anyone else will treat a report, and we do not give tax advice or act as an expert witness. The report is an independent valuation that sets out the comparable cars and the reasoning, which makes the figure easier to explain if you are asked.
Yes. See our guides on valuing a motorcycle and valuing a motorhome or campervan.
We start work as soon as you have paid, so our fee is not refundable. The full wording is in our terms.
Three quick details. We reply by email with the price for your vehicle, no obligation.