How to Get the Most Money For Your Trade-in Car
Simple tips to increase the value of your trade in vehicle.
When you trade your car at a dealership, you enter the seller’s shoes, and the dealer becomes the buyer. It’s like flipping the usual car-buying experience around—you’re there to get the highest possible price for your old ride. Remember, while aiming to max out what you receive, the dealer’s playing a different game; they want to pay as little as possible to increase their profit when they resell it. It’s a straightforward give-and-take scenario, and knowing this can help you navigate the negotiation more effectively.
To tilt the scales in your favor, it’s wise to come prepared. A few straightforward, cost-effective improvements can significantly boost your car’s trade-in value. Things like a thorough cleaning inside and out, taking care of minor repairs, or even getting a recent service record can make your car more appealing to the dealer. These steps show that your vehicle has been well cared for, potentially increasing its value and decreasing the amount you’ll need to pay for your next car. Every little bit helps, and investing a little effort and money now can lead to a better deal at the dealership.
Think Like a Used Car Appraiser
You are trying to get the most money possible when trading your car. You’re possibly trying to get thousands of dollars for it. Completing a few simple tips and tricks may help you get even more money for your trade.
Never trade a vehicle in at a car dealership until you have a reasonable estimate of its worth. Check out my step-by-step guide on how to trade in a car to guarantee you get the most money for it. Spending a few dollars on a sunny afternoon to increase your chances of getting more money is not a bad investment.
Should You Clean Your Trade Before Having It Appraised?
Yes, you should!
Many say you should not clean your trade because the dealer will know you’re there to buy a car. This bad advice has been passed on for a long time, and in my experience, I say it’s not true. No matter how old your car is, there are several good reasons to clean it up before being appraised.
- First impressions are everything – Remember, you’re selling your car to the dealership.
- If your car is clean, the appraiser will likely think you take care of it and must do preventive maintenance (oil changes, fluid checks, etc.).
- When putting a figure on your vehicle, a clean car could be the difference between a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars.
- You want the dealer to know you’re ready to trade and make a deal, putting the ball in their court.
I’ve appraised thousands of cars. There are certain things I always look for when valuing a vehicle. Looking at a nice, clean car, no matter the age makes my job easier and a little looser with my pencil.
Think about the last ten cars that went through the dealership’s appraisal process, and the used car manager had to put a value on them right before yours. I promise you he’s had to drive and value some cars. You wouldn’t be caught dead driving.
Your trade may be a sight for sore eyes; believe it or not, he may appreciate it by giving you more money than he would normally.
If a vehicle is being appraised, it doesn’t need a lot of reconditioning to get it ready for sale. It will not be discounted as much when being valued by an appraiser.
Low-Cost Tips to Increase the Value of Your Trade-In
First impressions are everything. Often, used car appraisers decide how to bid on a car as they approach it. I would not usually get in a car just because it was filthy. I would automatically know I would not give “all the money for a car.”
You want to get your car in “retail sales condition.” Your trade vehicle needs to be as clean and perfect as possible. In reality, you are selling it to the dealership.
These low-cost tips can all be completed in the afternoon. I guarantee you they will impress a used car appraiser and get you more money than if you did not do them. Let’s get started.
1) Detail and Wax Your Vehicle
You wouldn’t believe how many filthy vehicles I’ve appraised. When I inspect a car like this, I check it more closely for problems because if it looks this bad, you likely haven’t been doing preventive maintenance.
Before you have your trade-in appraised, get it detailed and waxed. Have them shampoo the carpet, or get some exercise and do it yourself. Remember also to check the door, hood, and trunk jams. Also, polish the tires and clean all the glass inside and out.
You wouldn’t sell a car to a private party trashed out, would you? I guarantee it will be money well spent. Don’t go overboard with the cleaning products; you want your car to look clean all the time, and please, do not ever Armor All the steering wheel!
2) Inspect and Clean the Engine Compartment
Clean the engine compartment and ensure no tools, rags, or half-empty fluid bottles. When detailing your car, some detail companies will clean the engine compartment. If you do it yourself, use a good quality degreaser and get all the chemicals off your belts and hoses.
3) Empty and Clean Out All of Your Vehicle’s Compartments
Remove all the trash and junk collected over time from your console. Vacuum it out and do the same with your glove compartment.
You should leave maintenance records, locking lug keys, the owner’s manual, leather cleaner, and touch-up paint in the glove box. This is a good sign for an appraiser.
Please remove your name, address, and phone number from any records you leave. You don’t want the next owner to contact you a year later.
Your trunk should be emptied and cleaned. If it contains a lot of junk, clean it out. Do not leave a box of empty fluid bottles, air filters, or tools in the trunk of your car. This is a bad sign for an appraiser.
If you have a spare tire area under your trunk mat, ensure the spare is not flat, and there is no standing water. You will also want to clean and vacuum this area.
4) Inspect or Change Your Windshield Wiper Blades
You don’t have to buy a $20 set of wiper blades; replace your current ones with a nice cheap set and ensure you get the correct size for the vehicle. When the appraiser turns them on to check the wiper fluid, they’ll clean the windshield off and operate nice and smooth.
Check the wiper fluid reservoir. If you don’t have wiper fluid, add water and a few drops of dishwashing soap or Windex to get by.
5) Windshield Condition: Starred or Cracked
An appraiser will immediately subtract for any defects in your windshield; you may as well get it fixed. Some states will not let you get a state inspection with a broken windshield, and some insurance companies will fix or replace a windshield for free. Do not let an appraiser take off for a star fixed on a windshield. Dealers usually repair windshield stars if they’re not within the driver’s direct view.
6) Restore Foggy or Blemished Headlights
Faded headlights make a vehicle look old and worn. If your headlight lenses are foggy and scratched, you can typically restore them without expensive replacement. Several home remedies can fix faded headlights. A quick search on the Internet will bring up several solutions, such as using toothpaste to clean up your headlights to get you through the trade-in process.
7) Replace All Interior and Exterior Broken Light Bulbs
Quickly check your headlights, brake lights, running lights, and turn signals with a friend or family member. Don’t forget to check your interior lights. Replace if needed; bulbs are cheap and can be picked up online or at any local auto parts store.
8) Check, Fill, or Replace Your Vehicle’s Fluids
One of the little “tattle-tales” an appraiser uses is the little reminder sticker all the oil change companies put up in the left-hand corner of your windshield. A good appraiser will still physically check your car’s engine oil, transmission fluid, radiator, brake, and windshield wiper fluid.
I guarantee they will check your fluids if they find an expired sticker on your windshield.
Please get them all changed and topped off, and leave the little sticker on the windshield. This is also a good sign to an appraiser that you are keeping up with your car’s preventive maintenance.
9) Get a Tune-Up and Replace the Air Filter
If your vehicle runs rough, you can get a cheap tune-up at a local quick-service place. They’ll try to upsell you on everything, but the basic tune-up is all you’re after. Change your car’s air filter if you don’t want to pay for a basic tune-up.
An appraiser will quickly notice that your vehicle is running rough, instead of figuring out why, he will automatically start deducting money from its overall value.
10) Get Rid of That Smell
A foul smell in a car is a deal killer. Whatever you do, don’t use 10 of those little pine trees. Use ionizers and neutralizers to eliminate foul odors and run the a/c so it will circulate. You can contact detail companies and ask if they have an ionizer and offer the service.
You can try to do it yourself with Febreze or another deodorizer; however, it may take longer, and you will have to shut your windows for an extended period.
11) Touch Up any Minor Chips and Scratches
Several compounds and chemicals can cover or mask chips and scratches long enough to trade in your car. You can also use touch-up paint, ensure you get your vehicle’s correct color code, and take your time filling in the scratches. You can go to your local auto parts store, and they’ll show you how to get your paint code and even sell you the paint.
12) Organize Your Maintenance Records
Fold up and organize maintenance records neatly, then put them in the glove compartment. Before trading in your car, remove your name, address, phone number, and private payment information from them.
13) Make Sure Your Air Conditioner Blows Cold
If your air conditioner is not working or not blowing cold, you may have a problem. Spend the money and have a mechanic look at it. If it’s a slow leak, have the mechanic charge it so it will blow cold long enough for you to trade the car in.
Appraisers will subtract big money for a non-working a/c even if you tell them it’s a leak. As long as your a/c is blowing cold while your vehicle is appraised, it should not be an issue.
14) Align, Balance, and Rotate the Tires
Car dealers will use this trick on unsuspecting used car buyers. If a dealer has a car with some wear on one side of the tire, they’ll rotate the tires and put the worn part towards the inside of the wheel well so you can’t see it easily. Why not use the same trick?
If your car strays right or left, you may want to check the wear on the tires or get a quick alignment. Most places will rotate your tires, balance them, and align your vehicle for cheap. Doing this will prevent the appraiser from deducting additional money from your total.
If your tires are beyond repair, consider buying cheap tires before trading in your car. They don’t have to be brand new, but make sure they have some tread on them. Appraisers will charge a lot of money to replace the tires on your trade-in.
15) Have Your Vehicle’s Title With You
Make sure the car is titled in your name and that the vehicle identification number on the title matches the VIN on the car. Do not sign the tag until you sign the paperwork for your new car. Never store your vehicle’s title in the car. Instead, please keep it secure, such as a file cabinet or safe in your residence.
Further Tips and Advice
Further tips and advice about trading in a vehicle with a dealership:
- You will not make as much money if you trade your car at a dealership versus selling it yourself.
- Buying and trading a car should be looked at as two separate transactions.
- When you buy a car, you’re the “buyer.” When you trade a vehicle, you sell it to the dealer, becoming the “seller.”
- Do not mention that you will be trading a vehicle too early in the car-buying process.
- Always agree to the purchase price of the vehicle you want to buy before you mention wanting to trade a car.
- Don’t leave your bank statements, purse, title, or private information in your car’s seat, glove compartment, or floorboard. You would be surprised at some of the stuff (private and illegal) I’ve seen left in vehicles I’ve appraised.
Conclusion: Increasing the Value of Your Trade Vehicle
In conclusion, getting the most money for your trade-in doesn’t require extensive effort; many impactful tips can be completed in an afternoon. Each step adds tangible value to your trade-in, from deep cleaning your vehicle to making minor repairs and documenting your car’s service history. Investing a few hours one afternoon can significantly boost your car’s appraisal value and enhance your negotiating power at the dealership. Remember these straightforward strategies to maximize your trade-in value efficiently and effectively.
About the author
My name is Carlton Wolf, and I’ve been in the car business since 1994, both retail and wholesale. I created the Auto Cheat Sheet to better educate buyers about the deceptive sales practices many dealerships use nationwide. Please understand that not all car dealers are dishonest. However, you never know who you’ll be dealing with, though. I’m willing to share my knowledge and experience with anyone who listens. Keep in mind that I’m a car guy, not a writer.
