Sometimes, when you purchase a new car, you don't want to keep your old vehicle. Trading in your vehicle is a great way to get rid of your old vehicle and get some value for your vehicle without having to handle selling the vehicle.
When you trade-in your vehicle, you are going to want to know how to negotiate to get a good value for your trade-in. Your trade-in will allow you to save money on your new vehicle, which is why it is essential to know how to get a fair value for your trade-in.
Step #1: Research the Trade-In Price
First, you are going to want to research the trade-in price for your vehicle. There are many pricing guides online that allow you to input information, such as the make, model, mileage, and condition of your vehicle, and get pricing information. These pricing guides will generally provide you with information such as the trade-in or private market price.
You can also use online retailers to get a cash offer on your vehicle, another way to find out what your vehicle is valued at.
You can also look up local cars that are similar to yours and see what they are selling to get an idea of the local market. All those different resources will give you a solid idea of what your vehicle is worth, which will help you negotiate a fair trade-in price.
Step #2: Get Written Trade-In Quotes
All that online information is great; however, having a written quote in hand is even more powerful. Head over to two or three different dealerships and get written trade-in quotes. This will give you even more leverage for negotiating your trade-in price if you are not offered a price that you feel is fair or comparable to the other offers you were given.
Step #3: Clean Up Your Car
Appearances matter when you are trading in your car. You will increase the chance of getting a fair trade-in if you clean up your car. Clean and wax the outside. If there are any small scratches that you can fix up on your own or dents you can handle, take care of them. Clean up the inside of your car. Remove all personal items from your car, wipe down all containers, and vacuum well. A nice-looking car will get a better trade-in value.
Step #4: Keep Trade-In Negotiations Separate
Finally, when you start to negotiate your trade-in, don't do it simultaneously when negotiating the vehicle's price. Set the price of the vehicle first. Then, work on figuring out the trade-in value using all the evidence you have. Doing it separately will allow you to ensure you are getting a fair price on the new vehicle and the trade-in.
Getting a good deal on a trade-in requires you to come armed with information about your vehicle's value by researching trade-in values online and getting written trade-in quotes. Clean up your car, and keep the trade-in negotiations separate from the negotiations of your new vehicle's price.
For more information, contact a company like The Car Buying Concierge.
