Last updated: October 2026
Holden was part of Australian driveways for generations, and plenty of Victorians still own one. Since General Motors retired the brand, owners keep asking the same thing: is my Holden worth less now, and should I hold on or sell? The honest answer depends on which Holden you have. Most everyday Holdens are simply used cars that keep ageing, while a small number of special models attract collectors. Here is how to tell which group yours is in.
What Happened to Holden?
In February 2020 General Motors announced it would retire the Holden brand, with the closure planned for the end of that year. According to Money Magazine, GM said it would supply spare parts and servicing for at least the next 10 years and honour existing warranty commitments. So your Holden can still be serviced and repaired, but no new Holdens are being sold.
Is My Holden Worth Less Because the Brand Is Gone?
For most everyday models, the brand closing is not the main thing driving the price. Age, kilometres, condition and service history matter far more, exactly as they do for any other used car. What has changed is the long term outlook. Some buyers worry about parts and resale in the future, and that caution can show up in offers for older, high kilometre Holdens.
Everyday Holden or Collectable Holden?
| Type of Holden | What usually drives the price | Does waiting help? |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday sedans, hatches and wagons | Age, kilometres, condition, service records | Rarely. Value tends to fall as the car ages |
| SUVs and utes used for work or family | Condition, kilometres, demand for the body type | Usually not. Wear adds up year by year |
| Rare, limited or performance models in original condition | Rarity, originality, documented history | Sometimes, but only with expert advice |
If you are not sure whether your Holden is special, look at its build plate, compliance details and paperwork, and compare it with how the same model is advertised. Most Holdens on Victorian roads are everyday cars, and that is fine. They still sell.
The Holdens We See Most Often
Across Melbourne and regional Victoria, the Holdens that come up for sale most are the ones families and tradies bought in big numbers: Commodore sedans and wagons, Cruze and Astra hatches, Barina city cars, Captiva and Trax SUVs, and Colorado utes. Each sells on its own merits. A tidy Colorado with service history is a very different proposition from a Captiva with a warning light on, even though both carry the same badge.
Some later Holden models were built overseas and shared parts with other General Motors brands. That can help with parts supply, but it does not change how buyers judge the car in front of them: condition, kilometres and paperwork come first.
Signs It Is Time to Sell Your Holden
- A mechanic has quoted a repair that is a large share of what the car is worth
- The registration is due and the car barely gets driven
- You have replaced it with a newer car and it now sits in the driveway
- It needs a roadworthy for a private sale and you do not want to pay for repairs first
- Insurance and servicing feel like a lot of money for the use it gets
Why Waiting Rarely Pays for an Everyday Holden
- Every year adds age and kilometres, which are the biggest factors in a used car’s price.
- Registration, insurance and servicing keep costing money while the car sits or does light duty.
- Repairs get more likely as cars get older, and a big repair can cost more than the gain from waiting.
- A car that is not driven still loses value. We explain why in car sitting unused.
Private Sale, Trade In or Cash Buyer?
There are three common ways to sell a Holden, and each suits a different situation.
- Private sale. Often the highest price for a good car, but a registered car needs a roadworthy, and you deal with ads, inspections and strangers. We compare it honestly in private sale vs a car buyer.
- Dealer trade in. Convenient if you are buying from that dealer, but the trade in figure is often folded into the new car deal, which makes it hard to see what you were paid.
- Cash car buyer. Usually the fastest. A licensed buyer can buy without a roadworthy, collects the car and pays on the spot.
What to Have Ready Before You Ask for a Price
A few details make your price faster and firmer:
- The model, year and kilometres
- Clear photos of the outside, the interior, the dashboard and any damage
- The service book and receipts for recent work
- Both keys, if you still have them
- Any known faults, mentioned up front
Our guide to how a car is valued explains what each of these changes.
What Buyers Check on an Older Holden
Whoever buys your Holden, private buyer or trader, will look at the same things. Knowing them helps you describe the car honestly and avoid surprises at inspection.
- Warning lights on the dash. Any light that stays on after starting will be noticed. Mention it when you ask for a price.
- How it starts and idles. Rough running, smoke or noises on a cold start all affect the offer.
- Transmission behaviour. Slipping or harsh changes on automatics are checked on every test drive.
- Rust and body condition, especially around wheel arches, sills and the boot on older models.
- Service history. Regular servicing, even at an independent workshop, reassures buyers more than almost anything else.
None of these stop a sale. They just shape the price, which is why declaring them up front gets you a figure that holds.
Selling an Old or Damaged Holden
An older Holden that no longer runs, has failed a roadworthy or has body damage still has value. Licensed buyers can buy it without a roadworthy, and cars at the end of their life can be collected through old car removal with no pickup fee.
Whatever condition it is in, our cash for cars service in Melbourne gives you a price for your Holden from photos straight away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still get my Holden serviced?
Yes. When the brand was retired, GM said it would supply parts and servicing for at least 10 years, and independent mechanics service Holdens every day.
Will my Holden become a collector’s car?
Most will not. Rare, limited and performance models in original condition may attract collectors, but everyday models are valued like any other used car.
Is it harder to sell a Holden now?
Not usually. Everyday Holdens are still common and in demand as affordable cars, utes and family wagons.
Do you buy Holdens that do not run?
Yes. We buy Holdens in any condition, including non running and unregistered cars.
Should I fix my Holden before selling it?
Usually not for major repairs. A clean and minor fixes can help, but big repairs often cost more than they add. See what is worth fixing before you sell.
Sources
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About the author: Written by Steve, owner of Victorian Car Buyers, a licensed motor car trader (LMCT 12395) based in Delahey, Melbourne.