Used Car Trade In Value - Research and Helpful Tips
Before trading in your used vehicle, you ought to research its Black Book Value and - or its Blue Book Value first. A used vehicle's Black Book value is often based on auction sales. If there are many other cars similar to yours at an auction sale, a dealer may offer you a value that is close to the Black Book for your vehicle. If there are only a few cars similar at an auction, the deal may offer you the Black Book value. Used Car Trade In Value - Tip #1: Review Blue Book Value Data
BlackBookUSA.com is the most widely known supplier of Black Book value data used by dealers across the country. However, Black Book USA typically only makes its data available to subscribers. Typically, most car owners rely on research tools like the Kelley Blue Book Value. Kelley Blue Book also provides helpful online tools for researching your used car trade in value.
BlackBookUSA.com is the most widely known supplier of Black Book value data used by dealers across the country. However, Black Book USA typically only makes its data available to subscribers. Typically, most car owners rely on research tools like the Kelley Blue Book Value. Kelley Blue Book also provides helpful online tools for researching your used car trade in value.
Used Car Trade In Value - Tip #2: Research Similar Vehicles In Your Area
When you have an idea of your used car trade in value, take the time to research similar vehicles for sale in the area. Check your local newspaper's classifieds especially from Thursday through Sunday as this is time when more vehicles are advertised. Go online to search local car listings for vehicles with similar features and mileage to yours as well as visit dealerships around your city. These are all ways to determine the upper limits of your vehicle's trade-in value.
When you have an idea of your used car trade in value, take the time to research similar vehicles for sale in the area. Check your local newspaper's classifieds especially from Thursday through Sunday as this is time when more vehicles are advertised. Go online to search local car listings for vehicles with similar features and mileage to yours as well as visit dealerships around your city. These are all ways to determine the upper limits of your vehicle's trade-in value.
You can also find the lower-end of your vehicle's value range by going to a traditional dealership in your local area and telling them you want to sell your vehicle outright to the dealership. In this scenario, traditional dealerships will usually offer you a lower amount than what you would expect to get on an actual trade-in. This dollar amount will give you an idea of the lowest amount you should consider accepting for your vehicle.
However, as a better option, you could consider selling your vehicle outright to a dealership that operates from the philosophy that even if you don't buy a car from them, they will still buy your vehicle for the full trade-in value. Kupper-Chevrolet is this type of dealership.
Used Car Trade In Value - Tip #3: Sell Privately if Blue Book Value Can Be Beat
You may want to consider selling your vehicle privately if you are finding similar vehicles selling for higher than the Blue Book Value. If there is only a small difference between the Blue Book Value and the amount similar vehicles are selling for, then you may want to work with a quality dealership regarding your used car trade in value. You have to ask yourself if that small difference is worth the wait and trouble of selling your car privately. Another positive to trading your vehicle in is that there is a tax advantage. You will only pay tax on the difference between the car that you are purchasing and the value of your trade-in in most states.
Used Car Trade In Value - Tip #4: Presentation of Your Used Car
When you are ready to have a dealership consider your vehicle for a trade-in, present it to them in its best condition. Bring your vehicle to a detailer to have it thoroughly cleaned. Do not worry about the mechanical condition of the car; you do not want to invest additional money at this point for major or minor repairs. The dealer who is calculating the your used car trade in value can have the vehicle repaired at typically less cost than you.
Maximizing your used car trade in value should only focus on the presentation of your vehicle. A professionally detailed used car will help your vehicle appear well maintained. Paying a detailer $100 to give your car a good cleaning could lead to several hundred more dollars towards your used car trade in value.
Used Car Trade In Value - Tip #5: Presentation of Your Used Car
Remember ... be mindful of some of the pricing gimmicks that dealerships can play. For example, when you are considering trading your vehicle in for another used vehicle to find out the price of the used car first before telling the dealer you have a trade-in. This is important especially when many used dealerships do not have prices on their used vehicles. If they know that you have a trade-in, and see it before telling you the price of the vehicle you are interested in, they can name whatever prices they want. Get all the information you can before offering them information.
Kupper Chevrolet offers customers our Best Price Philosophy to avoid these types of time wasting and frustrating situations. Posting our Best Price on every new and used vehicle on our lot supports our philosophy. Use our online tool to research your used car trade in value.