Are instant online car offers worth it?

Instant online offers can be a quick, convenient benchmark, and sometimes they are competitive. You enter your VIN, mileage and condition, get a quote, and the buyer may inspect the car before finalizing, so the number can change if the condition doesn't match what you reported. Getting two or three instant offers before visiting a dealer gives you a realistic floor for your trade-in negotiation. Read the terms on how long the offer is valid and how you get paid.