How Can I Get The Most Of My Trade In?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Find the trade-in price.
  2. Give your car curb appeal.
  3. Shop your trade-in.
  4. Negotiate the trade-in price separately.
  5. Don’t forget about sales tax.
  6. Review the trade-in price in the contract.

How do I get the most out of my trade in at a dealership?

  1. Do your homework. …
  2. Take care of known mechanical problems. …
  3. Shop around for trade-in value. …
  4. Negotiate trade-in value separately. …
  5. Make sure that your car looks its best. …
  6. Time your trade-in.

How can I get the most money for my trade-in?

Who pays the most for a trade in?


First, buyers with a trade-in

pay an average of $990 more than those who do not trade in their used cars. Second, compared to a buyer who trades in a vehicle of a different make and model, a buyer pays $150 if the trade-in is the same make and $214 more if it is the same make and model as the newly purchased car.

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How do you maximize trade in value?

  1. Bring the maintenance up to speed. I’m not suggesting you spend a load of cash and give the car a complete makeover. …
  2. Don’t forget about the body work. …
  3. Provide service documentation. …
  4. Detail your ride. …
  5. Negotiate the selling price separately. …
  6. Shop around.

When’s the best time to trade in your car?

  • When It’s Low on Mileage. Mileage is a crucial factor when calculating car depreciation. …
  • At the End of the Year. …
  • When You Have Equity on Your Car. …
  • When the Weather is Nice. …
  • When Repairs Start Exceeding Your Monthly Repayments. …
  • When You’re Under No Pressure to Trade In.

What do car dealers use for trade in value?

As stated above,

the Black Book

is what dealers usually refer to when trying to figure out how much a used vehicle or trade in is worth. Consumers will typically use Kelley Blue Book values when estimating new and use vehicle costs.

What should you not say to a car salesman?

  • “I really love this car” …
  • “I don’t know that much about cars” …
  • “My trade-in is outside” …
  • “I don’t want to get taken to the cleaners” …
  • “My credit isn’t that good” …
  • “I’m paying cash” …
  • “I need to buy a car today” …
  • “I need a monthly payment under $350”

Why is the trade in value so low?

Basically the difference is

because there was a dealer in the middle of the sale that needs to make some money, too

. … As a result, a dealer needs to offer a trade-in value that’s below the car’s retail value so they can still make some money on it after the reconditioning is complete.

Do dealerships take trade ins that don’t run?


You can definitely trade in a car that isn’t running

, provided the prospective dealership wants it. In fact, some dealers periodically have “push, pull or drag” sales where they invite customers to bring in run-down vehicles as a way to induce business.

When should you not trade in your car?

It is best not to trade in your vehicle

when you purchased it very recently

. As soon as you drive a new vehicle off the lot, it loses around 10% of its value and up to 20% of its value within the first year.

What is the best mileage to sell a car?

Even though many modern cars last well past the

100,000-mile mark

, what you’ll get for trading it in drops. Because depreciation is constant, it’s best to sell or trade in your vehicle before it hits the 100,000-mile mark.

Why you should never trade in your car?

Trading-in your old car might not be the best option out there, most of the time. The value of your

car gets dissected and distributed across multiple middlemen

; which means, the trade-in dealer, wholesaler and auctioneer benefit and not YOU. When you want to sell your car, you deserve to get the best price you can.

Does trading in a car hurt your credit?

Your car loan doesn’t disappear if you trade in your car. However,

the trade-in value of your car becomes credit towards your loan

. This credit might cover the whole balance. If it doesn’t, your dealer will roll over your loan, combining the deficit with the amount owing on your new car.

Do you lose money when you trade in a car?

Especially in a situation like this, you’ll need that extra money. Basically, when you trade a car in, you’re getting the wholesale price. When you sell it yourself, you’re getting the higher retail price. … That way, the car you buy will have lost

as much value as the

car you just sold, making for an easier transition.

Can I trade in my car after 1 year?

If the vehicle is new, you should ideally

wait until at least year three of ownership

to trade it in to a dealership, as this is when depreciation normally slows down. If it’s used, it already went through the big drop in depreciation and you can usually trade it in after a year or so.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.