How to Get the Best Trade-In Value: 7 Easy Steps

When it finally comes time to upgrade your vehicle to a new Bentley, one of the best ways to lower the initial down payment and overall payment plan of a new car is to trade in your old one. Many people believe that they simply need to show up with their old vehicle and they’ll get more than enough trade-in value to be on their way. However, while it is easy to learn how to get the most money for your car, it takes a little bit of research and legwork to maximize your odds. If you want to know how to get the best trade-in value, then this guide will be priceless for when you go into a Miami car dealer for your next car, truck, or SUV.

Step 1: Know What You Have

It goes without saying that some vehicles are worth more than others. Knowing that the vehicle you intend to trade in has a lot of miles (and therefore wear and tear) and has been in a few fender benders tempers your expectations. However, there are several factors that go into evaluating and estimating your trade-in value, such as:

{C}• Make and model

{C}• The year of the vehicle

{C}• Its condition

{C}• The miles driven

{C}• The trim/style of the model

Start by collecting the basics of your vehicle, because it’s the foundation for our next step.

Step 2: Do Your Research

Search the internet on car valuation sites, such as Kelley Blue Book, to find out the average value of your current vehicle. Search for any upgrades you may have purchased (sunroof, power seats, etc.) to accurately reflect the KBB resale value. No matter the stated value of your vehicle, you should expect fluctuations during negotiations because of supply and demand at the dealership, the time of year, and the dealership will need to assess if your vehicle will have an appeal to sell on the market. The price you hear from a dealership may be lower than the one you found. However, having accurate vehicle value numbers on your side will help.

Step 3: Clean Your Vehicle

One of the simplest ways to increase car value when you go to trade it in at a dealership that buys cars is to make sure it is clean inside and out. A dirty car, truck, or SUV means more work (labor and hours) on the dealership’s part that will lower your overall trade-in value.

Step 4: Repair Your Vehicle

This one requires some cost/loss analysis on your part. Cars with known mechanical problems will be worth less than if they operated perfectly. Some of these issues are quick and easy to repair, meaning it likely won’t cost much. However, expensive repairs may only increase your car’s value so much; so, even though you spent $2,000 on repairs, your car’s worth may only increase by $1,500 with said repairs, leaving you at a loss of $500. Go for the easy wins with this step.

Step 5: Shop Dealerships That Buy Cars

If you want to know how to get the best trade-in value, you’ll need to go to different Miami car dealers to see who will offer more money for your vehicle. While this requires quite a bit of legwork, it’s one of the most vital steps in maximizing your car’s trade-in value.

Step 6: Consider Timing

As we mentioned earlier, the time of year can affect the value of your trade-in. During certain times of the year, the value of an SUV may go up or down; the sample applies to trucks and sedans. Research and keep an eye on when values rise and fall.

Step 7: Negotiate

Once you have completed all of the previous steps and have accumulated and sorted all documents and information regarding your vehicle, it’s time to go to the Miami car dealer of your choosing to maximize your trade-in value.

Step 7: Negotiate

You’ll sit down with the salesperson and go over all of the details of your new vehicle and your current vehicle, ideally reaching an agreement. If you’re still wondering, “Who will buy my car for the most money?” The answer is the dealership that needs a vehicle like the one you currently own and assesses that it is worth a number you can drive away happy with.