Are you considering buying a newer car? Maybe your current vehicle is getting a little too old, and you need to upgrade it with more technology and features. Or maybe you have a growing family and want a car with more room. Either way, trading in your car can be an ideal solution. You don’t have to hassle selling the car yourself, and you’ll be able to apply the car trade in value to your new ride, lowering the amount you need to finance. Keep reading to learn how you can trade in your car smoothly.
Key Takeaways:
- Trading in your car will have you driving out of the dealership lot in a different vehicle easily.
- Your trade in value is typically based on your car’s condition as well as the demand for your car’s make and model in the market.
- It pays to check out multiple dealerships and see what they’ll offer as your car trade in value.
- Fixing some minor issues before trading your can in can raise its trade in value.
Get Your Car’s Trade In Value Estimates
To determine if you’re being offered a reasonable price on your trade in car at the dealership, you should first know what your car is worth. You can use Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds car appraisal tool and follow the steps to enter your car’s details. It’s vital to accurately take stock of all the vehicle’s options and be honest about the condition. Note that a very small percentage of cars are indeed in “outstanding” condition. Many cars that are well maintained are deemed to be in a “clean” condition. When in doubt about your car’s condition level, it’s best to err on the side of caution.
Prepare Your Car
Just like buying a car, trading in takes some planning. You need to prepare your vehicle to maximize its trade in value:
- Boost the Curb Appeal: You need to make a good first impression when trading in your car. So, it’s crucial to prepare and improve the car’s curb appeal- a clean car is better than a dirty one. Having no trash, dirt and debris in the car is beneficial to you. Before trading in the car, ensure that you tidy the interior, run the vacuum and have a quick wash.
- Make Repairs: If your car has minor dents, scratches, cosmetic flaws, or paint discoloration, it’s wise to take care of them- that can increase your trade in value. But if you don’t make repairs, you need to be upfront about your vehicle’s condition. Hiding these flaws might backfire and result in a lower trade in value.
Note that if your car has customized aftermarket parts, you’ll need to decide whether to keep them or remove them. That’s because sometimes these enhancements may lower your car trade in value. Consult an auto expert near you about the aftermarket parts.
Have Your Paperwork In Order
While you don’t have to refurbish your vehicle to trade it in, it’ll be worth more if you can prove that you’ve kept up with preventative maintenance regimes. You should have your service records in one place as well as copies of the receipts to prove that you’ve been taking care of the car. It’s also wise to provide receipts of things like brakes and tires so you can show if you’ve replaced them recently. All these can boost the amount you get as your trade in offer.
Note: If your car was in an accident, be prepared to provide paperwork showing repairs that were performed. The dealership might not ask for the paperwork, but being prepared can land you a better deal.
Shop Around for Trade In Quotes and Negotiate
Trade in offers can vary based on what the dealership has in its inventory, your car’s condition, and how well the dealer feels the car will sell. So, you need to get as many competitive quotes for your trade in as possible. You can then use those figures, along with other research you’ve done on pricing, to estimate your car’s baseline value. Also, don’t shy away from negotiating- and when you do, ensure you negotiate your trade in and purchase separately to get the best trade in value possible. Moreover, it’s wise to get the trade in value offer in writing. That protects you from the dealership changing or going back on its offer for any reason. The formal offer is particularly vital if you leave the dealership to shop around and then later return to the same dealer.
Time Your Trade In
Trading in your car might work better some times of the year than others. That can depend on the year, model and make of your car. Weather conditions and other aspects could also play a role in the offer you receive. For instance, all-wheel drive SUVs can be in high demand during winter and right before the spring college semester. The first two quarters of the year could also be an excellent time to trade in your car since buyer demand tends to be higher. Dealerships need more cars available on their lots to meet the demand and hence might offer a higher price for your trade in.
Want to Trade In Your Car? Consult the Experts!
If you’re considering to trade in your car, it’s paramount to understand the process. York Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we want to ensure that the experience is as smooth, seamless, and stress-free for you as possible. We’ve put together the above handy guide on ways to trade in your car smoothly. For more information, or when you’re ready to take the next step to trade in your car, visit our dealership or call us today!
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