what is a blue book 
the blue book or kelley blue book is a guidebook that compiles and quotes prices for new and used automobiles and other vehicles of all makes models and types first published in 1926 by los angeles car dealer les kelley the blue book was originally only available to those in the automotive industry but both a consumer edition and an online edition was made available in the 1990s for the general public 1 the blue book provides a fair market range reflecting an estimated range of prices car buyers will pay for a specific car based on make model style and year understanding the blue bookblue book has become the premier appraisal guide for vehicle price quotes in north america car sellers and car buyers will consult the blue book to determine the resale value of used cars kelley blue book also provides an actual cash value for vehicles this can be used to check your insurance company s valuation should you get in a wreck and potentially negotiate with them the blue book analyzes the private party value trade in value suggested retail value and certified pre owned cpo value for used cars the new car blue book shows what consumers are currently paying for new cars over the decades blue book pricing guides have been published for a variety of markets including guides for motorcycles travel trailers campers atvs snowmobiles and manufactured housing 