If you're driving a 2016–2022 Camry, CR-V, F-150, Model 3 — or almost anything mainstream from those years — you own exactly what most used-car buyers are shopping for. That's good news for your payout. But there's no single number stamped on your car. There's a range, and where you land inside it comes down to six things.
1. Year, and why 2016–2022 is the sweet spot
Cars lose the steepest chunk of value in their first few years, then the curve flattens. A vehicle from 2016–2022 has already taken most of that early depreciation, so it holds value more steadily now — but it's still recent enough to have the safety tech, infotainment, and reliability buyers expect. Within the window, a 2022 naturally commands more than a 2016 of the same model, but both sit in the range buyers actively want.
2. Make and model — some hold value, some don't
This is the biggest single factor. A Toyota (Camry, RAV4, Corolla) or Honda (CR-V, Civic, Accord) holds value famously well — reliability keeps demand high. A Ford F-150 or other in-demand truck stays strong because trucks always do. A Tesla Model 3 depends heavily on its own factors (below). Two cars of the same year and mileage can be worth thousands apart purely on badge and reputation.
3. Mileage — the number everyone checks first
Roughly 12,000 miles a year is "average." Come in well under and your car reads as lightly used and commands more; run well over and every buyer discounts it. Mileage is the fastest gut-check a buyer makes, so it moves the price more than almost anything except the model itself.
4. Condition and history
A clean title, a documented service history, no accidents on the report, two key fobs, and honest cosmetic condition all push you toward the top of the range. A branded title, a gap in maintenance, or visible damage pushes you toward the bottom — fast. Buyers pay for confidence, and paperwork is confidence.
5. Trim, options, and (for EVs) the details that matter
Trim level and options move the number more than people expect — a higher trim, all-wheel drive, or a desirable package adds real value. For a Model 3 specifically, battery health, remaining warranty, and software features like Autopilot can swing the price meaningfully. Know your exact spec before you accept any offer built on a generic "base model" assumption.
6. Where and when you sell
Local demand is real: trucks and 4x4s firm up before winter, convertibles in spring, and a model that's hot in one metro may be soft in another. The same car can be worth several hundred dollars more in the right market at the right time.
Why every "value" you look up is a range — and a low one
Plug your car into any valuation tool and you'll get a number. Remember what that number is: a starting point built for buyers. The instant offers from Carvana, CarMax, and dealers are opening bids designed to buy your car below its ceiling. They're a useful floor. They are not "what your car is worth" — they're what someone will pay to resell it at a profit. Your real value is the top of the range, and you only find it by making buyers compete.
How to find the top of your range
Estimates are a floor; offers are the truth. The way to know what your specific 2016–2022 car is actually worth is to get a firm instant estimate to anchor the range, then let an AI deal-broker take that number to multiple buyers and bid it up — handing you a ranked list of real offers instead of one lowball. That's the difference between guessing your value and getting paid it.
Find out what your car is really worth
Five questions, a firm instant offer for your exact year and trim, then an agent that works the market to beat it. Free, no obligation.
The short version
A 2016–2022 mainstream car sits in the market's sweet spot, but its value is a range set by year, model, mileage, condition, trim, and location — not a single number. Every value you look up is a buyer-friendly floor. Anchor with a firm estimate, then make buyers compete to find the top of your range.
Keep reading: Carvana vs CarMax vs private sale — who really pays most? · Sell my F-150, Camry, or Model 3 without a dealer · How to get the best price selling your car