What does a real valuer actually ask? The 12 questions behind a firm cab offer

An instant-quote site runs your reg through an algorithm that maps year + model + mileage to a price band, deducts standard depreciation, and produces a number. The number is mathematical, but it's mathematical against the wrong dataset, namely UK-domestic-retail used-car prices. Your cab isn't a UK-domestic-retail vehicle; it's a licensed-trade asset, and the algorithm has no data on the licensed-trade buyer pool.

A specialist valuer does the algorithm step first (DVLA + DVSA data, trade-publication price bands, our own historical-sale data on the same model) but then layers 12 specific questions on top, each of which moves the offer by a meaningful margin. The 2-hour turnaround is the time it takes to answer those 12 questions properly. The instant-quote 2-second turnaround skips them entirely.

We check the DVLA V5C taxi flag, the relevant council's public licence register (TfL LTPH, Birmingham CC, Manchester CC, Wolverhampton, etc.), and the DVSA MOT history. If the database says the vehicle is plated and current, we price the live-plate premium. If the database shows a recent surrender or upcoming expiry, the offer reflects the remaining plate value. If our data and your declaration disagree, we ring you to ask before finalising. Getting this wrong is the single most expensive valuer error.

Recent advisory list, failure history, mileage growth between tests, and whether the test station pattern suggests consistent servicing or last-minute scrambles. A clean recent MOT with a thin advisory list adds value. A pattern of failure-then-immediate-retest at the same station suggests routine workshop care, which is also a positive signal. Patchy MOT history with gaps and multiple stations sometimes indicates a vehicle that's been moved around the trade, which we price more cautiously.

We compare current mileage against the model's typical PCO duty-cycle expectation for the years held. A 2018 Prius at 220,000 miles is normal-shape. A 2018 Prius at 350,000 miles is high-end of normal but we still buy. A 2018 Prius at 50,000 miles raises questions (is it ex-private rather than ex-PCO? Why is it being sold? Is there a hidden issue?) and we price for the uncertainty. Honest declaration up-front means the offer is firm; surprises on inspection mean the offer revises.

Toyota hybrid battery health is the single biggest value lever on a Prius, Corolla, Auris, or Camry. We default to a conservative assumption (steady-state degradation for the age + mileage band) and ask if you have a recent Toyota Hybrid Health Check report. If yes, we adjust the offer up; if no, we hold to the conservative default. Same logic on LEVC TX (range-extended pack), Tesla Model 3 (LFP or NCA), Nissan Leaf (24/30/40/62 kWh), and the rest of the EV fleet.

We can't see the vehicle on submission, so we ask whether you have photos and whether anything visible deviates from 'clean stock'. Kerbed alloys, cracked windscreens, dented panels, smoke smell, missing key fobs, all are honestly-priceable if declared up-front; all become re-negotiations on collection day if hidden. The valuer's experience tells them which models have specific common-fault zones (e.g. front bumper kerbing on low-profile-alloy executive saloons, parcel shelf wear on cab fleets) and asks about those specifically.

Toyota main-dealer history on a Prius beats independent-specialist beats generalist-garage beats no-history. For executive EVs, BMW or Mercedes or Audi main-dealer history beats specialist EV-shop beats no-history. Service plan transferability (BMW Service Inclusive, Audi Care, Mercedes Service Plan) adds real value. We ask for the most recent service interval and where; if the answer is 'I don't know,' we ring you to dig.

Is there outstanding HP / PCP? Is the agreement near term? Will you need a settlement letter from the lender? If yes, what's the rough balance? We don't need the exact number on submission, but a heads-up means we can structure the offer to handle finance settlement properly on collection day and avoid post-acceptance surprises. See /blog/settlement-letter-from-lender-what-to-ask-for for the workflow.

Where is the vehicle now? Postcode determines collection routing (London + South East: typically 24-48h; Midlands / North: 24-72h; Scotland: 7-10 days on the standard route, faster on dedicated). Drop-off at our Bethnal Green E2 HQ is also available. Logistics affect the offer slightly (a vehicle in an unusual location that needs dedicated lift costs more to collect, which we factor in) but not significantly.

The valuer doesn't pry, but understanding the context helps shape the offer. Retiring from driving, upgrading to a newer vehicle, financial pressure, family change, plate-time running down, all are common honest reasons and the valuer adjusts the firmness of the offer accordingly. A driver who has decided is treated differently from a driver still comparing; both get our best offer, but the framing of the call is different.

If the vehicle has a wheelchair-accessible conversion, taxi-meter fitment, advertising livery, or other non-standard hardware, the valuer needs to know. WAV conversions add value (we have an NHS + care-provider buyer network). Advertising livery costs to remove (deducted from the offer if not removed before collection). Aftermarket modifications are case-by-case. Honest declaration up-front means the offer is firm.

DVLA + insurer-write-off data tells us most of what we need. We ask specifically about Cat N (paint + cosmetic) and Cat S (structural-repair) because both materially affect resale value; Cat A (scrap-only) and Cat B (parts-only) we generally don't buy outside the parts-breaking channel. Undisclosed Cat marker is the single most common reason for offer revision on collection day; it's also the easiest to disclose up-front.

V5C in your name, both keys, MOT certificate, recent service receipts, owner's manual, charging cables (for EVs), and any specialist documentation (battery health reports, hybrid health reports, plate-renewal letters). The valuer flags any document gaps so you can prepare before collection. Missing V5C delays the transfer by 7-14 days (DVLA reissue); missing second key is a small deduction that's easier to handle up-front than on the day.