Used car trade-ins are at an all time high. That means better deals for you and more money for your trade-in. Used cars are in demand and people and dealers are willing to pay more for them. So When it comes time to get rid of their old cars, most people are choosing to trade in their old car instead of dealing with the hassle of selling it on their own.

Used Car Trade-ins And Kelley Blue Book

The Kelley Blue book is only a guide line to what the trade-in value of your car is worth. Many people are under the misconception that the Kelley Blue book is the actual “real” value of their trade-in. This is not true. Your vehicle is only worth what the market will pay for it today. Dealers look at what cars like yours are going through the auction for, and what the market is paying for the car. The make, model and color of your car can also have an impact on the value of it. If you fell in love with a lime green sedan, it may not be a favorite color for resale and will bring less money in the market because it is not a desirable color for most people. The other things that can affect the value of your car is if it needs a lot of reconditioning work to get it ready for resale. If it needs a new windshield, tires, brakes, body work, upholstery repair, etc. the trade-in value will be less.

Curb Appeal Can Bring More For Used Car Trade-ins

Take a look at your car as if you were going to buy it. Is it something you would want to buy? Before you take your car to trade it in, make sure it looks good. Remember the dealer is going to look at the exterior of your car first. They are going to look at the paint, and see if there are any paint chips, hail damage, scratches or dings. Then they are going to look at the interior, for wear and tear and see how clean it is. After taking the car for a test drive they will get a feel for the car and then make you an offer of what they believe the value of your car is worth. If you have service records and can show that you have kept the car serviced while you owned it, by all means show this to the dealer. If they can see where they won’t have to put much money into repairs to get the car ready for sale, it can help you get more money for your trade. Read the rest of this entry »