So, you've decided to sell your car. It's clean, it's serviced and you want to shift is as quickly as possible. But then comes the burning question...how much is it worth?

Thankfully, the internet allows you to find out the value of your car much faster and more accurately than ever before. No more relying on trade books that are six months out of date, or trekking around to local dealers.

What, then, are your options?

Detective work

One way of working out how much your car is worth is to do a little snooping around.

At car advertising sites you can usually search by year, make and model to find vehicles similar to your own. The key is to try and find as close a match as possible in terms of condition, mileage and service history.

Be honest with yourself – does you car have burns in the upholstery? Dents? Scratches? All of these issues can knock lots of money off the final sale price.

You can then compare how much these similar cars are being listed for, and sometimes see examples of recent sale prices.

Alternatively, you can visit auction sites like eBay to see how much your car model is going for.

However, it's worth bearing in mind that the listed prices on both of these types of site may not be what the car sold for in the end. Most cars are sold as a result of a viewing – with many selling for less than stated as a result of a deal made between the viewer and seller.

Is there a quicker way?

Another way to get a free quote and sell used car online is to use an online used car buying specialist. While some may charge you a fee for appraisal, the best will offer a free car valuation. Make sure that the company specialises solely in used car buying – and doesn't just offer the service as an offshoot or sideline.

Some will have online forms that you can complete to start the quote process. Again, the key is to be honest and accurate with your information. The more info you can provide, the more likely you are to get a fair quote at the end.

What then?

If an online used car buyer likes your description, they may call you to confirm the vehicle condition etc. They may even ask you what you expected for the vehicle. During that process you can refine your expectations – and even agree a deal if the price is right.

Pick up should then be arranged at a time of your choosing, and in as little as 24hrs. Make sure you use a company that transfers the cash into your bank account for you to see before they take the vehicle away.

And there you have it – free quotes, free pick-ups and a fair price. Using online used car specialists may be your most convenient and cost-effective way to sell car online.