How Does Trading In a Car Work?
How does trading in a car work? If you want to get a new car but you have an existing vehicle that you no longer need, you’re in the best spot to make a car trade-in. However, trading in a car offers many options and it is crucial to know the best method to do it if you want the best value out of your old vehicle and score a great price on a new one. Keep reading to find the best tips on how to get the best deal.
Key Takeaways
• Trading in a car is a great way to get a new vehicle for a lower price.
• There are several options when trading in a car, such as through a car dealership or selling via a private party.
• The value of a car trade-in that is on loan will go towards paying off the car.
• Car dealers and lenders will assess the car’s market value and you can use that amount toward the payment of your new vehicle.
• Consider the pros and cons of trading in your car to determine if it’s better than selling the car yourself.
How Does Trading in a Car Work?
Before getting into the nitty-gritty process, first, it’s crucial that you understand how this process works. Thankfully, trading in a car is a straightforward process.
You have your current vehicle that you must bring to a dealership or a lender. They will perform a vehicle assessment to determine its value based on the car and market conditions. If the car is on auto loan and you still have remaining payments on the car, the balance will be paid off upon trade-in.
When trading in a car, you will use the assessed value of the car to cover for the expense of buying a new car or pay off the loan balance, whichever applies. Hence, it reduces the need to pay upfront for either the payment of your new car or the auto loan payment. It is a great option for anyone who wants a new car but has a limited budget.
Trading in a Car in 5 Steps
How does trading in a car work? There are five key steps involved in this process.
Step 1: Find out how much the car is worth.
Before anything else, you must know the value of your car. Figuring out this number is crucial and will determine the succeeding steps in the trade-in process, such as whether you need to pay an additional amount and what type of new vehicle you can get.
Research the current market value of your car using independent but reliable sources online. Focus on the make, model, year and mileage and how these factors can impact the car’s value. External factors can also impact pricing, such as fuel efficiency. Fuel-efficient cars will be in higher demand, which also means they will be priced higher.
Once you have an idea of how much your car is worth, you are in a better position to negotiate during the trade-in process to get the best deal.
Step 2: Assess your financial situation.
The next thing to consider when trading in a car is your financial situation. You must know what you can afford since you’re getting a new car.
If your current vehicle is still on loan, the process could get a bit more complicated depending on whether you only have a few months or a few years of payments left. The first thing you can do is to reach out to your car lender and discuss the payoff amount of your vehicle. It will give you a fair idea of how much you need to sell your current car for to cover the loan balance.
If a dealer offers to pay off your car, you must secure a new loan to pay for the new vehicle.
Step 3: Ask multiple dealers and compare your options.
Once you determine how much your car is worth and what you can afford, you can start asking for quotes from multiple dealers. It is vital to ask more than one dealer so you can compare the offers for your current vehicle, and then compare it with the car’s estimated value based on your assessment.
Another excellent option is to visit the dealer where you got your vehicle from. They might be open to allowing you to trade-in your vehicle for a new one. You can leverage your relationship and history to score a better deal.
Step 4: Prepare your documents.
Once you’ve crunched the numbers and comparison, you can start the trade-in process. Prepare the necessary documents that the car dealer requires for verification. Most documents are for the vehicle ownership and other pertinent information about the car’s information and condition.
Here are some documents that you need for trade-in, but your dealer might need more, depending on your situation:
• Car title
• Vehicle registration
• Vehicle maintenance records
• Loan documents (if applicable)
• Personal identification documents
Organizing these documents during the trade-in process will ensure a smooth and efficient transaction.
Step 5: Prepare your car for trade-in.
You can boost your car’s trade-in value by giving it proper care before trading it in. Fix up your car to eliminate dents or scratches, or if there are mechanical problems. An extended warranty on your vehicle can cover for repairs and servicing, so it’s a good investment if you want to maintain your car’s condition and market value, especially if you plan to sell it in the future. Your goal is to make your car as appealing to potential buyers as possible.
Make sure to clean your car’s interior and exterior, which also adds to its appeal. It takes time and effort but can boost your car’s trade value.
Should You Trade in Your Car or Sell?
Many car owners prefer the simplicity and hassle-free method of selling their car and getting a new one through the trade-in process. Is it the best option?
Trading in gets you less money on your car than if you sell it privately. At best, you can get your car’s wholesale value. However, you can use the money for the trade-in to cover for the payment of your new car, which eliminates the need to make any upfront payments, especially if the value of your old car is the same as the new one. You can also enjoy a tax advantage when trading in your car.
On the other hand, selling your car privately entails considerable effort. You must place ads for your car, meet up with potential buyers, and taking your car for test drives. But the effort could pay off if you find the right buyer as you can sell it for a higher price than what you can get when you trade-in your car. Some buyers might negotiate prices with you but they are not as experienced with haggling as professional salespeople so you can still get the price you want.
Consider each scenario and what you think is best. If you have time and won’t mind doing the groundwork when selling your car, you can do it yourself. But if you have a limited time and budget, a trade-in might be the better option.
Best Strategies When Trading in Your Car
Trading in a car is a good option if you want to acquire a new vehicle for a lower cost. Use these tips to get the best trade-in value and deal.
• The trade-in process involves two actions: selling your old vehicle and buying a new one. Make sure you treat each action as separate so you can negotiate the best terms for each.
• Before shopping for a new vehicle, make sure you research your options so you know what you want. When you know what vehicles you want, you are less likely to be persuaded for a less-than-ideal purchase at the dealership.
• Take care of mechanical problems and clean your car. You want your car to look its best to boost its perceived value. It also gives you leveraging power when you negotiate terms and prices. Think of it as something similar to staging your home in real estate.
• Prepare to walk away. If you feel that a dealer is underestimating the value of your car, be prepared to walk away and look for a better deal.
Pros & Cons of Trading in a Car
There are potential benefits and drawbacks to trading in your car. Make sure you know these to be able to weigh your options and make the right decision.
Pros of Trading in a Car
• Quick and Easy – The process is straightforward and you can trade in an old car for a new one (or the car that you want) without paying huge costs upfront.
• Time-Saving – If you transact with the same dealer as where you bought your car, you can simplify the paperwork and save time with processing documents when getting a new car.
• Tax Benefits – Some cities offer a tax benefit when you trade in your old car to buy a new vehicle.
• Pay Off Loan – If your current vehicle is on loan, you can use your car’s trade-in value to cover for the balance payment.
• Convenient – You don’t have to go through the process of advertising and showing your vehicle to a private buyer when you transact directly with a dealer.
Cons of Trading in a Car
• Lower Value – The estimated value of a trade-in car is not the same as its market value or compared to a private sale.
• No Negotiating Power – Most dealers won’t negotiate with their assessed car value estimate for trade-in cars.
• Limited Options on New Vehicle – If you trade-in your car with a dealer, your options for a new car are limited with what the dealers can offer.
• Inflated Purchase Price – Dealers might inflate the pricing on the new car to off-set for the cost of paying off your old car, which could mean you might have to shell out some cash.
Is Trading in Your Car a Good Idea?
Trading in a car is a convenient way to purchase a new car with a limited budget. However, your options are limited and you have less control over the estimated value of your car, as most dealers will want to maximize their profit margin by lowering your car’s assessed value. It is recommended that you compare other options before you settle for a trade-in to score a better deal, especially with a private sale.
But if you have a limited budget and cannot afford to pay for a new vehicle, it is a practical decision to trade-in your car, especially if it has already been paid off. The bottom line is to evaluate your financial situation and needs to see which option can offer a better value in the long run.
FAQs
Is it better to trade in or pay off your car?
It is better for you financially to pay off your car instead of trading it in. Paying off the car means you can get the full amount for the new vehicle instead of using the money you get to pay off the car. When the car is paid off, you can get a better car deal due to the higher trade-in amount.
How long to keep a car for the best value?
The longer you own a car, the more its value diminishes. According to experts, a car’s value drops after two to three years of ownership. If you want the best value, you should consider selling your car around that age.
How do you trade in when you still owe?
It is possible to trade in a financed car, even if you have remaining balance in your account. Once the trade-in process is complete, the dealer will pay off the car and roll that into a new loan account for your new vehicle. The amount you get for the traded in car will be used to pay the down payment.
Can you trade for a less expensive car?
Yes, you can do that especially if your car is on loan and you still owe money to the dealer.
