3 Tips for Trading in Your Used Car

While your vehicle’s age and odometer number are out of your hands, there are still a few things you can do to maximize your trade-in potential, including:

Tip #1: Give it a Clean Bill of Health

To prepare for its official appraisal, we suggest having your used car fully inspected by a licensed technician. This will eliminate any big surprises and let you get ahead of any minor issues.

A used car that receives regular maintenance has a higher chance of securing a nice trade-in offer. If you’re curious to know your used car’s record, sites like CARFAX® can supply an official Vehicle History Report™.  A few insights you can gain include:

• Accident data
• Service history
• Ownership history
• Open recall notices
• Type of use

Tip #2: Get an Initial Offer

The difference between a novice seller and a pro is the amount of research you put into your trade. Buying a new car is a big purchase, so it’s safe to assume you want to start things off on the right foot.

Fortunately, our finance center is ready to help you chart a course. Not only do we provide our own team in-house appraisers, but you can also receive a preliminary quote before stepping foot onto our showroom.

Simply, enter your vehicle’s information through our handy Value Your Trade tool to receive a fair market estimate. Later, present this number to our team, who’ll factor it towards your official trade-in offer.

Tip #3 Give It One Final Scrub

Once you complete your inspection, check its history, and receive your trade-in estimate, the final step before rolling up to the dealership is to give your used car some TLC.

Remove all personal items from the cabin and cargo areas before giving it a throughout cleaning. Gently buff out any light scratches or stains and make sure to vacuum the carpets. While a full detailing is rarely necessary, a generous clean can end up making a big difference.