When selling your snowmobile, it's worth as much as someone will pay. It's as simple as that. Where can you get a rough idea of the value of your snowmobile?
Traditional way
In previous years, when real-time data wasn't available, the tried and true method was to get it from Kelly Blue Book or JD Power.
These websites gather data primarily through dealers and are slow to adapt. They are okay with getting a rough idea but need to adapt to changing market conditions. COVID times exposed them for their slow speed when snowmobile prices were much higher than the listed value on any NADA, KBB, etc sites. Anytime someone approached me on Facebook Marketplace and tried to use one of these sites as a basis for the machine's value, I knew a lowball offer was coming and would later sell it for much more than the valuation.
So I advise avoiding these dinosaur sites like the plague, as they are slow and will have you priced either too high or too low in market conditions.
The New Method
Currently, the best method to get a real-time value for your machine is to go on Facebook Marketplace and search for similar machines. You'll find people ahead of you in the selling process and either sell it quickly or are forced to drop prices. Please keep in mind that geographies matter a lot; someone with a good snow year in the Northeast will have an easier time selling it for higher than a poor year in the Midwest.
Keep tabs on similar sleds and message those sellers to stay in touch and learn what they sell for.
Prices Of New Sleds
The cost of the new ones is the most significant influence on the price of used sleds. If sleds are flying off the shelf at MSRP, that will pull used prices up. Suppose manufacturers have to issue rebates to move inventory that will directly impact the value of your new sled. Buyers of used machines want a decent gap in price between new and old. Nobody will buy your 1000-mile machine for two grand less than new with zero miles and a more extended warranty. It's as simple as that. So when that $1000 rebate comes out, you can knock $1500 or more off the value.
Seasonality
In a previous article, we go into the timing of getting the most money for a snowmobile. So, we'll keep it short and sweet. It's better to sell in September-January rather than February-August. There are more buyers in the upcoming winter months, excitement is high, and buyers are yet to be disappointed by a poor snow season and have their eyes on warmer recreation hobbies. So your same sled is worth more in fall and early winter than spring-summer. Buyers don't want to lay down big money for something they want to use for 4-8 months ahead of time. If you need to sell in those months, expect to take a significant drop in the sale price.
Signs that you are too high
You are too high if you list your snowmobile on a high-traffic site like Facebook Marketplace and receive little action during prime months. Don't confuse little action with high prices in the off seasons as there are not many buyers looking and very well can sell for that price in the fall/early winter.
When you decide you are too high, I recommend you delete the listing and upload it with new photos. Buyers seeing prices reduced on the listing see blood in the water and will start shooting you lowball offers.
Another thing to watch is if people message you saying you are too high. Unless you are seeing this frequently and not getting any serious offers, disregard it. Most of these buyers would not give you a serious offer anyway and are looking for that one-in-a-million sale they can brag about.
Aftermarket parts
There are two scenarios you should sell your snowmobile with aftermarket parts; one is they are part of a total package, or you cannot easily remove them.
If you have aftermarket skis, hand guards, etc, take them off and sell them separately to get maximum value for sale. While cool parts may lure some people in, in my experience, it's always used to negotiate against you. It's better to remove them, not mention them during the sale, and sell them separately. Selling a stock sled is the easiest way to move it and doesn't scream that you beat the life out of it.
Conclusion
So you have two options: you can use the outdated KBB, NADA, or JD Power recommendation, or you can do a real-time investigation using Facebook Marketplace. Facebook is more challenging than entering a snowmobile and getting a number, but you quickly know what it's worth. It just involves some guesswork and trial and error. Good luck with selling your snowmobile!
FAQs
Since the 1920s, the Kelley Blue Book has served as a standard within the auto industry in the United States. In addition to values for vehicles, the guide has also covered values for snowmobiles, motorcycles and personal watercraft.
Do snowmobiles hold their value? ›
Used snowmobile prices largely depend on demand and inventory levels. Furthermore, the age of a snowmobile can significantly impact its resale value, with the original price often decreasing by 40%-60% after 4 years. That being said, several snowmobiles hold their value well after four years.
What is considered high hours for a snowmobile? ›
Generally speaking, a snowmobile with over 8,000 is considered high mileage, 4,000-8,000 miles is considered medium and anything under 3,000 miles is considered low mileage.
How many miles will a 2 stroke snowmobile last? ›
A current garden variety 600 twin engine in the popular trail/sport category can deliver up to 12,000 miles (19,000 kms) of reasonable use. Reasonable use includes using good quality injector oil, regular servicing of the exhaust valves and annual clutch maintenance.
What year snowmobile is considered vintage? ›
Q: How is the sled age calculated when registering the sled as a vintage sled? A: The sled must have been manufactured more than 25 years ago and substantially maintained in original or restored condition and not modified.
What's the blue book value? ›
Key Takeaways. The Blue Book, also known as the Kelley Blue Book, is a popular and trusted guide for automotive price quotes in North America. Blue Books show car buyers and sellers what prices others have paid to acquire vehicles of the same make, model, year, and comparable mileage and use.
What is the most sold snowmobile? ›
Today, Ski-Doo is, by far, the most popular brand of snowmobiles in the United States. It's so popular that, in many cases, the brand is used when referring to all snowmobiles (much like Kleenex is to tissues). Created by Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP Inc.)
What is the most reliable snowmobile ever? ›
Yamaha: Top Choice for Most Reliable Sleds
Known for their robust, reliable engines, Yamaha snowmobiles offer riders peace of mind, knowing their sleds can withstand the rigors of both trail and off-trail adventures.
What is the number one snowmobile brand? ›
In the western world, Ski-Doo is the biggest name in snowmobile sports. Made right here in Canada, Ski-Doo models are made with versatility in mind. The snowmobiles that come off their manufacturing line have multiple kinds of tracks and sleds, and you can shop for all necessary related accessories in the same place.
Can a snowmobile go 200 mph? ›
The average speed for a snowmobile ranges between 95-120 miles per hour. Some snowmobiles can reach top speeds of 150 miles per hour, while, for racers, racing snowmobiles can reach 200 miles per hour. So, yes, a snowmobile can go 200 mph.
Nick Keller & His 99,956-Mile Journey For A Cause. Nick Keller sits trailside aboard the lettered-up 2010 Yamaha RS Vector he rode for 99,956 miles in 356 days of riding.
How long can a snowmobile run on a full tank of gas? ›
Although each model is different, an average snowmobile uses 10-20 gallons of gas every hour and gets around 8-25 mpg. A snowmobile can go as far as 70-300 miles on a tank of gas, which is a big range.
When should I rebuild my 2-stroke snowmobile engine? ›
The top end of a two-stroke engine might need to be rebuilt if there's been a reduction in compression that can cause hard starting when the engine is warm, inability to idle or a loss in power. Factors such as water in the gas or an improper fuel/air ratio can cause damage that causes low compression.
What 2-stroke snowmobile has the most horsepower? ›
Ski-doo Rotax 850 E-Tec Turbo R is the ultimate winner, but we have many other top snowmobiles to give you the most in terms of power, handling, and riding comfort. You can find models and quality OEM parts from Polaris, Arctic Cat, Yamaha, and other leading brands in Canada and America.
What is the average life of a snowmobile? ›
With regular care and maintenance, you can ensure that your snowmobile will provide many years of use and enjoyment. Lower-mileage snowmobile models may travel up to 10,000 miles with no significant problems. High-mileage machines can hit between 12,000 and 20,000 miles with proper maintenance.
Is there a Kelley Blue Book for recreational vehicles? ›
Kelley Blue Book is a trusted resource for determining the value of traditional automotive vehicles. However, unfortunately, they do not offer a dedicated valuation service for RVs on their website or in their printed guides.
Can you look up a snowmobile VIN number? ›
You can perform a snowmobile VIN search online to verify that it matches the year, make, and model of the one you're looking to buy. You may be able to contact your local police department and ask them to make sure the VIN doesn't show up in their records as stolen.
Why do snowmobiles not have titles? ›
In the case of snowmobiles, however, not all are required to have titles. It depends on where the owner of the snowmobile lives, and fewer than half of states require snowmobile owners to have a snowmobile title. A snowmobile bill of sale and/or registration can typically serve as proof of ownership in most states.
Which is better Nada or Kelley Blue Book? ›
KBB factors in the condition of the vehicle, local market conditions, and popularity of the vehicle, so their prices tend to be a lower than NADA. NADA values tend to lean higher because they assume cars are in good conditions. Insights can be gained from both values, but KBB looks at more factors.
