When you drive your old car in to get it appraised at a car dealership, there are things you need to know that will help you get the most value for your vehicle. Naturally, the dealership wants to buy your car for the lease amount possible and you want to get the most you can for your faithful flivver to decrease the amount you'll pay for your new car. Auto appraisers tell us there are a number or tips that will increase the value of your trade-in car that are simple to achieve and low cost. Here's how to get more money for your trade.
Get the Most for your Car
Tips to get the most for your Trade-in
Trade-in Value
Before you spend a lot of time and effort on your trade-in vehicle, it is best to get an idea of what your old car is really worth at the dealership. At Lithia Motors, we work with auto industry leaders such as Kelley Blue Book to find out what your trade-in car is worth. You can too. Just go to KBB and click on the "My Car's Value" button. This will allow you to locate your specific car by entering its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or the year, make and model of the car.
The KBB online trade-in value tool will search for transaction data, check for any recalls, and analyze results near you. Your car's trade-in value estimate will be emailed directly to you. Once you have a good idea of the trade-in value of your old car, you can make sure you get top dollar by following these tips.
Get additional trade-in value offers from online companies such as Edmunds and Driveway. For instance, Driveway will make you a cash offer for your car that is good for seven days at driveway.com. Note that if you still owe money on your old car, you'll need to determine the current payoff amount from your lender.
Clean Up Your Car
- Before taking your trade-in to a dealership, there are several things you'll need to do that can help you get top dollar. Remember that even though car appraisers look at cars every day, they will appreciate it if you took the time to make the car look its best. First impressions are important.Â
- Go through the vehicle and remove all personal items. Clean out all ashtrays, cup holders and other storage compartments. Make sure the Title for the vehicle is not in the car. If you have the Owner's Manual, make sure it is in the glove compartment. Vacuum out the car from stem to stern. Clean out the trunk. You want everything to look fresh and new.
- Have the car detailed inside and out. It is worth a few hundred dollars to put your best foot forward. Why go to all the trouble of sprucing up your old car if you are just taking it to a dealership? Because the appraiser will know that you have always taken good care of the vehicle. Collect all service records so you can show that it has always been properly serviced and maintained.Â
- If your car is immaculate, it can mean a few thousand more dollars in your pocket and tells the dealer that you are ready to trade. Appraisers tell us that looking at a clean car, no matter its age, makes appraising it easier and is likely to get you more for the vehicle. Why? Because the dealership will not have to spend money to get it ready for sale.
- If you decide to wash and wax the car yourself, remember to shampoo the carpet, and don't forget to wash and clean the door jams, trunk jams, and detail the engine. Vacuum out the trunk and check the spare tire to make sure it is not flat. The Devil, as they say, is in the details. Use tire treatment on all the tires as a finishing touch.
Other Details
Think about the impression you will leave with not only the appraiser, but those who are considering buying your car. Small details make a big difference and could get you extra money for your car. For instance, check the windshield wipers and replace them if they don't work flawlessly. The appraiser will likely try them out and new wiper blades make a difference. A set of inexpensive new blades will do the trick. Make sure the wiper fluid is full too.
Speaking of… the appraiser will definitely take away points if the windshield is imperfect. If your windshield has any cracks or chips, have it replaced. Some insurance companies will fix or replace your windshield free of charge.Â
Be sure to replace any burnt out light bulbs including headlights, turn signal lights, brake lights, and any interior lights that are out. Bulbs are inexpensive and available at your local auto parts store. And while we're on the subject of lights, if your headlights are foggy from years of oxidation due to sun exposure, they can usually be restored without being replaced. Look for online fixes such as kits provided by Rain-X, Armor-All, CERAKOTE, SYLVANIA, and 3M for around $20 or less.
Have your engine oil and filter replaced right before you have the car appraised. The appraiser will look at the oil change reminder sticker on the left-hand corner of your windshield to see if your maintenance is current as well as physically check your engine oil, radiator fluid, transmission fluid, brake fluid, etc.
So, now your car looks great and runs great, but does it smell great? If it has halitosis from cigarette smoke, mold, or mildew, use an ionizer and deodorizer to clear the air. Run your fan on high to dry out the system. A chunk of barbecuing charcoal that's left in the car for a few days will absorb ambient odors as will baking soda like you might use to remove odors from your fridge. Also make sure that your air conditioner is working and blowing cold air before the car is checked out by an appraiser.
Lastly, if your car pulls to the left or right, check the wear on your tires. You may need to align or balance the tires. You want to make sure the vehicle tracks true. The tires don't have to be new, but make sure they have a decent amount of tread. By following up on all these tips, you will likely get more money for your trade-in.
Take time to prepare your trade-in by following a few or all of the above tips. This will significantly increase your chances of getting the most money when trading your car with a dealership. Remember that trading your car and buying a new car are two separate transactions. Keep them that way. Agree on the purchase price of the new car before bringing up that you want to trade-in your old vehicle.
Let Lithia Help
With over 300 dealerships across the country and over 75 years of experience buying, selling, and trading vehicles of all kinds, Lithia Motors is here to give you a fair price for your trade-in and get you into the car of your dreams. Your business is important to us because we want to keep you as a customer for life!Â
