4 Things to Do Before Trading In Your Vehicle

Before you trade your car in, follow these tips!

It’s time for a new car, but your old one still has some juice and could be a good “new” car to a new owner. But before you bring in the car to be assessed, there are four key things you should do before trading in your vehicle.

Trading in your vehicle is a great way to knock off some of the cost of a new or “new-to-you” vehicle. Maybe it’s time for a larger car to accommodate your growing family. Or, maybe you want to get a newer car so you don’t have to get it repaired as often.
Whatever the reason, trading in your vehicle is fairly straightforward, usually much simpler than a private sale, and lowers monthly payments on your new ride.

What is a trade-in?
A car trade-in is a common practice at car dealerships. Typically, you swap your old car in exchange for credit toward a new vehicle.

Note: Trading in your vehicle doesn’t mean you can stop making payments on it if you still owe a balance on the car loan. However, the value you get for the trade-in might cover the balance, putting you in the free and clear!

Car prep steps include:
Do these 4 tasks to prepare.

1. Vacuum the interior and wash the exterior
2. Remove maintenance paperwork
3. Know your finances
4. Collect what to bring with you

1. Vacuum the interior and wash the exterior
Make a good impression.

While someone appraising a vehicle should simply go down a checklist, it’s hard not to influence the perceived value of the car with a messy interior and dusty exterior. Cleaning shows you take pride in your vehicle, which hints that you keep it maintained not just superficially, but also with what really counts.

Plus, it’s nice for the next owner to be able to drive off the lot with a car looking good. Like in the days of VHS, the polite thing to do was to “be kind and rewind.” With your trade-in, be kind and clean up your mess!

The exterior: Wash and give your car a fresh coat of wax.

The interior: Vacuum everything.

Also consider cleaning the engine so when the dealer inspects under the hood they don’t see grease and grime. There’s nothing like ruining the image of a pristine car with a bunch of dirt and grease!

Think of it like staging a house.

2. Remove maintenance paperwork
Gather all of your important documents and receipts. You want to bring this info with you to show the dealer at the time of the trade-in.

When you get a car, establish a place to store records and receipts relating to the vehicle. Then your papers are all ready to show the dealer the purchases you made and repair work your car has undergone over the years.

If the dealer questions the condition of a certain engine part, for example, you can back up the parts’ integrity with a receipt. Keeping the documentation and what the documentation shows also indicates you took great care of the car. It also presents you as a responsible person and, most importantly, someone who’s responsible with cars!

Cars that have undergone regular maintenance (and have the documentation to back it up) retain more of their value. Also note: The dealer will pull up a vehicle history report of your car, so no need to obtain one yourself.

3. Know your finances
The next step with a trade-in is getting, well, what you’re trading your car in for! Make a budget for yourself so you know how much you have to make a down payment and how much you can afford for a monthly car payment.

Note: See some of our previous blog posts or ask our knowledgeable staff for advice if you have questions.

4. Collect what to bring with you
Documents you should have with you include the car’s title, service records, registration, extra keys, accessories, and anything else the dealer or a prospective buyer might be interested in. Oh, and bring your car, of course!

• A clean car
• Car title
• Service records
• Registration
• Extra set of keys if applicable
• Accessories parts (if applicable) such as a navigation system’s DVD or SD card. (You won’t get credit for features without all the parts – so don’t leave it at home!)
• Anything else the dealer or future car customer would be interested in

Contact us
Have questions about trade-ins? Give us a call or stop by to talk with our knowledgeable and friendly staff! We look forward to helping you!

Links:

https://www.cars.com/articles/how-should-i-prep-my-car-for-sale-to-a-dealer-1420680466320/

https://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/trade-ins.php

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