How to Get the Most Out of Your Trade-In

When you get ready to buy a new vehicle, one of the best assets you have working to your advantage is the vehicle that you are currently driving. Although you may be done with it for your own personal reasons, it still has some value – and that means you should be able to trade it in as part of the purchase agreement for your new car or truck. This is a great way to bring down the intimidating price of that shiny new vehicle you’ve been eyeing each time you drive by the Taylor & Sons Chevrolet lot.

For example, let’s say you have found the perfect model for your needs, and it has a sticker price of $30,000. If your trade-in is valued at $10,000, you are suddenly looking at only having to pay $20,000 for the new car or truck. That’s a total which is a lot easier to handle, and you’ll feel much better about making the purchase.

Of course, getting the most out of your trade-in is a great way to bring down the price of your next purchase as far as possible. Let’s take a look at a few quick and easy tips for raising the value of the vehicle you plan to sell.

The Basics

While it is known as a ‘trade-in’, what you are really doing here is selling your vehicle to the dealership in exchange for a reduction of the purchase price on your new car or truck. So, what do you do anytime you are going to sell something? You make it look good! By taking just a little bit of time in advance to prepare your vehicle for the trade-in process, you may be able to make it more appealing to the dealership.

Start by giving the exterior of your vehicle a good wash. Then, vacuum out the inside, toss out any garbage, and do your best to clean up any stains, etc. You aren’t going to get it back to new condition – it’s a used vehicle, after all – but spending an hour or two cleaning up its condition can go a long way toward elevating its value.

Get in the Ballpark

Thanks to the power of the internet, you can be armed with a pretty good idea of your vehicle’s value before you even visit the dealership. Use any one of a number of online resources to research how much you should expect to be offered for your trade. With a general idea of your vehicle’s value in mind, you will be able to fairly evaluate what you are being offered. That means you won’t accept a trade offer which is far too low, and you won’t find yourself asking for something that is much higher than is realistic.

You do need to keep in mind that using online tools to value your vehicle is just a starting point. The condition of your vehicle, the needs of the dealership from an inventory perspective, and other factors will influence how much you are offered in the end. Think of your research as providing you with a general idea of what your trade-in will be worth, and then negotiate from that point.

Feel Free to Negotiate

Speaking of negotiation, remember that you don’t have to automatically accept the first offer you receive. Sure, the first offer might wind up being the best the dealership can do, but it’s okay to discuss the trade-in number you are being presented with the sales staff. How did they arrive at that number? Why is it lower than you were expecting (if it is)? Ask a few questions and see if you can work out a trade-in number that will be satisfactory for both sides.

Care for Your Car

One of the steps you can take to get good value for your trade actually takes place well in advance of visiting a dealership. Over the course of your ownership of the vehicle, do your best to take good care of it day in and day out. Provide it with the proper maintenance, don’t drive it too hard out on the road, and park it in a garage, if at all possible. By offering your vehicle good care for years leading up to the day that you trade it in, its value should be higher, and you should get more money knocked off the purchase price of your new vehicle.

Work with a Reputable Dealer

This one is important. If you shop for your next vehicle on a reputable lot – such as Taylor and Sons Chevrolet – you are far more likely to be treated fairly than would be the case if you visit a lesser business. A good lot with a long history of quality customer service has too much to lose by trying to take advantage of you. Do some research into the dealerships in the area which have the best reputation and it’s likely that those businesses are going to be ready to make you a fair offer when the time comes to close this deal.

Of course, it’s also a good idea to trade with a reputable dealer because that means you’ll be buying your new vehicle from that same dealer. Buying from a good dealer is important as it will be easier to deal with warranty and maintenance issues that may come up down the line. Establishing a relationship with a car dealership like Taylor & Sons Chevy can make all of your vehicle buying and selling needs hassle-free for years to come.

When you are ready to trade in your current vehicle in exchange for a new model that meets the needs of your family perfectly, please stop by Taylor & Sons Chevrolet. We always provide our customers with fair trade-in value, and you can count on a friendly and relaxed atmosphere when you visit our location. Thank you for taking the time to stop by our blog, and we look forward to serving you soon!

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