The Best Way to Trade In a Car and Get a Good Deal

This is a guide on the best way to trade in a car. Do your research and make sure your vehicle is clean and has appropriate parts. Read this article to learn how to get a good value from your trade-in car.
Written by Elaine Sulpy
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
Research trade-in values for your car and make sure the vehicle is clean and has standard parts to ensure you get the best trade-in value for your car.
New vehicles are not always the most affordable items, and smart shoppers are always looking for the best possible deal. You can save a bundle on a new-to-you car by trading in your current vehicle to a dealership.
If you are looking to trade in your car for a
new or used
vehicle,
Jerry
has compiled a few simple tips you can follow to get the most money out of your trade-in.
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Do your research on trade-in values

Before you step foot into a dealership, you should know how much your vehicle is worth. Vehicle valuation providers, such as
Kelley Blue Book
, can provide you with a range of prices for your vehicle make, model, and model year based on overall vehicle condition (fair, good, very good, and excellent).
Logically, a vehicle in better condition will have a higher trade-in value. Vehicle mileage will also impact your trade-in value. A higher-mileage vehicle will be valued at a lower price than a vehicle with fewer miles.
Your location can also impact your trade-in value. Some vehicles sell better in certain regions than others, such as trucks in the Midwest or compact cars in urban centers.

Check with multiple dealerships

When you're looking to trade in your vehicle, one of the smartest things you can do is shop around. Go to several dealerships and ask them for the trade-in value for your vehicle.
If one dealer is offering a much lower price than the others, it may not be worth negotiating with them. If you know the value of your trade-in from your online research and dealership offers, you can negotiate the trade-in value with the dealership you want to buy from.

Clean and detail your trade-in car

The better your trade-in car looks, the better the deal you will be offered. Spending under $200 for a detailing service can result in higher offers overall.
If you are a smoker, the smell of cigarettes can linger in the vehicle even after a cleaning. This
odor
can strongly reduce your car's trade-in value. It is recommended to never smoke in your vehicle, especially if you are going to trade it in.

Reduce the impact of aftermarket parts by replacing them

If you purchased and installed any aftermarket parts on your vehicle, such as custom rims or trim accessories, or if your vehicle is painted a unique color, your overall trade-in value may be negatively impacted. While these additions can be expensive, selling a customized vehicle is more difficult for a dealership as they must locate the right buyer.
Because of this, a dealership may be hesitant to purchase such a vehicle and may offer you a lower trade-in value than you anticipated. By replacing these parts with originals, you can ensure that your vehicle is more desirable to a larger customer base and get a better trade-in value.
MORE: 7 things to look for when buying a used car

Avoid making major repairs

While a clean car will likely receive a higher trade-in offer, most
repairs
may not be worth the investment. Fixing minor problems may not be enough to convince a dealer to pay you more money, and you may end up losing out in the long run.
Most dealerships have a service department or connection with a repair shop and can get a better deal on repair work, so check with the dealership on the car's value with and without major repairs to see if it’s worth the effort and cost.

Negotiate the final price

Keep in mind that you will likely be offered a higher trade-in value if you are also purchasing a vehicle from the same dealership. If a dealership knows they are making money by selling a vehicle to you, they may be willing to negotiate a higher trade-in value and/or a lower purchase price on your new vehicle.
Getting the best value on your trade-in car can be the difference between landing the new car of your dreams or having to settle for second best. Ensure you are getting the best trade-in value for your car by taking the time and energy to do the research.

Get coverage with Jerry

You've just traded in your vehicle and drove off in your new ride. What now?
Well, one of the first things you need to do is get
car insurance
. That's where
Jerry
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