Tips for Getting the Best Price on Your Trade-In
Trading in your car is a great way to get rid of your old ride without the hassle of trying to sell it yourself (including spam and creepy emails). Here are a few MotorWorld | MileOne Autogroup tips to maximize your chances of getting the best value for your trade-in.
Have reasonable expectations
Do some research to determine your car's wholesale value. The wholesale value will not be close to the retail value, so don't get your hopes up. Remember, the dealer is buying your car to resell and must add a mark up to the price in order to make a profit. Do not walk into the dealership expecting to be paid full retail resale value when you trade in your vehicle. Set reasonable expectations for yourself and the transaction.
The sweet smell of success
If your car smells, you may want to invest in some odor removers and cleaners and air things out. Not surprisingly, smelly cars don't rake in the big bucks.
Grime is a crime
Wash it. If you don't want to do it yourself, go to a carwash and be sure to have them vacuum too. Paying a little extra for a wax is a good investment. Depending on the value of your car, you might even consider professional detailing.
Don't forget to clean the engine, but do this carefully. There are plenty of degreasers on the market that can help your engine shine.
As for those piles of old fast food wrappers, leaf litter, and other trash your vehicle has accumulated, it's never the wrong time to break out the trash bags and do a little spring cleaning.
Embrace your inner neat freak
Organize your glove box. If you have the manual, keep it in there along with any other important papers. If you've had work done, (and who hasn't) organize the receipts and put them in a ziplock bag in the glove box.
Dealers will assume that if you haven't taken care of the interior, you probably haven't taken care of the engine either. Taking the time to enhance its looks can go a long way toward increasing the value you get for your trade-in.
When to do the deed
Cars that are under 50k miles (or, even better, under 30k), will get a better valuation than those with more miles. Some experts suggest that early in the week and late in the month are the best times to bring your car in for a trade, but the real answer is that you should bring your car in when you're ready to buy a new one. That means you've done your research about incentives, rebates, new model release dates, the alignment of the planets, etc.
If your car needs work, get an estimate for the repairs. This can help you in negotiating the value. Remember not to negotiate the value of your trade-in during the car-buying process. Keep it a separate deal.
And remember, be reasonable. The value of your trade-in isn't just the value of the car, but also the time and effort you save by not having to sell it yourself. For more information, don't hesitate to call, contact us online, or visit us in person at 150 MotorWorld Drive, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702, and we'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.