When it comes to buying a new car, trading on your old one can be a quick, simple and stress-free way to sell your previous one and take some money off the new one. However, the trade-in value of any vehicle can be notoriously low compared to private sales and the smallest things can make a huge difference to the final price a dealership provides. For those looking to trade in their vehicles in the near future, there are thankfully a few things you can do to really maximise the value you\u2019re likely to get, from fixing any known repairs to shopping around for the best prices – find out more, below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To really understand how to increase the trade-in value of your car, first understanding what factors play into the final quote can really help you maximise the amount you get. Certain factors, such as the car\u2019s make, model and year can\u2019t be changed but the condition the car is in can make a huge difference. The five key factors that dealers will consider when calculating trade-in value include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While you can\u2019t change the make, model or age of your vehicle, there are a few things to do to improve the value and make sure that you\u2019re getting the best deal possible:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you want to be certain that you\u2019re getting the best deal possible for your car, you first need to know how much it\u2019s likely to be worth in the first place. You can either get trade-in quotes from various companies going off of the current condition of your car, or look online for how much your vehicle\u2019s make and model is going for privately. You\u2019re likely to get less than trade-in values listed online and private sales will always get you a higher price, but having a ballpark figure can help you approach dealers with a clearer idea of what to expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re looking to get the most out of your old vehicle, you might need to take a trip to the mechanic first. From engine repairs<\/a> to bodywork fixes<\/a> – Even something as simple as a stuttering windscreen wiper could knock some value off if discovered, so it\u2019s important to make sure that a specialist fixes any known problems that your vehicle has before you go to trade-in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similarly, having a mechanic do a full service of your vehicle<\/a> pre-trade-in can not only source out any additional problems that might need fixing but will provide you with an up to date service history that dealerships may appreciate as a selling point. You can get in touch with our team to book your service appointment and get your existing vehicle into top condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the dealership you\u2019re buying your new car from might be offering you an easy trade-in for money off of the new vehicle, there is a high chance that an alternative dealer or trade-in specialist will offer a higher price. This doesn\u2019t mean that you have to go through the hassle of another dealership, however – if you can collect a number of quotes for various trade-in values and bring this to your new car\u2019s dealer, you may be able to negotiate up to the higher price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While a mechanic can help with issues under the hood, it\u2019s important that you take the time to get your car looking good too. The interior and exterior of your vehicle are what buyers will see first, so if you get it looking good as new and fix any nicks<\/a>, scratches or dents, you may find that the value you\u2019re offered is far higher. Even a small chip in the paint can have a significant impact on the overall value of the car, so it\u2019s important to be thorough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on the type of vehicle that you\u2019re looking to trade in, there may be certain times of year in which your car could fetch a higher trade-in value. Convertibles, for example, are typically in higher demand during the Summer months and for that reason, dealerships may be willing to give you a higher trade-in value in Spring and the start of Summer if they suspect the vehicle to be bought quickly. Similarly, SUVs and similar may be in higher demand during the winter months due to better handling in bad or adverse weather conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dealerships want to make money, and one way they can do this is by offering you a higher trade-in value but inflating the price of the new vehicle as a result. For this reason, your best course of action is to negotiate these prices separately. You should negotiate the new vehicle\u2019s price first where possible, agreeing to the deal in writing before approaching the trade-in vehicle as a separate transaction. This way, you\u2019re more likely to get the best price for both the new and old vehicles without one playing off of the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information about checking your existing vehicle for repairs or servicing, feel free to get in touch<\/a> with our team, or book your appointment, today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Thinking about trading in your car? To get the best price for your vehicle, there are a number of things you can do. Find out more, here.<\/p>\n