How to Trade in Your Car

Trading in your car is easy. It’s also one of the best ways to reduce some of the cost of your new car. All you have to do to get a good return on your investment is to take care of your car and follow these simple steps:

1. Get an Estimate – To get started, you’ll need to get an approximate idea of how much your car is worth. Most value your trade-in tools only need some basic info, like your make, model, and mileage. For a more accurate estimate, you can also provide your vehicle identification number (VIN) or a photo.
2. Find out What Fair Value Is – For a better idea of how much your car is really worth, you should see what its fair market value is. This involves checking a few different sources. For example, there are plenty of trustworthy value your trade-in tools online, including Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book®. If you’re planning on trading in your car for a new one, though, your best bet is our dealership’s value your trade tool.
3. Make Sure Everything Looks Good – Next, try to make your used car look as good as new. Wash it, wax it, and clean the interior. You might even want to consider getting it detailed.
4. Schedule Maintenance – On top of making your car look spiffy, you’ll want to get it up to date on any maintenance too. That includes getting parts and fluids checked, as well as having technicians take care of any wear and tear.
5. Get Your Car Inspected – Along the same lines, have your car inspected first to make sure it’s in top shape.
6. Get a Vehicle History Report – After you’re confident that it’s in good condition, have a vehicle history report put together on your car. It should show all the information on how you’ve taken care of your car and include a rundown of its complete service history.
7. Schedule an Appraisal – Once you have everything organized and put the finishing touches on your car, you should be ready to schedule your appraisal. All that’s left to do is trade it in and put its value toward your new car!