How accurate is Kelley Blue Book?

With over 90 years of experience, KBB is the most trusted source of vehicle pricing information. Also, TRED establishes trust with buyers by committing to a 150-point inspection to ensure the vehicle’s condition. That’s why, on TRED, you can expect to get 30% more than a dealer trade in and 12% more than on Craigslist.

Is it wise to trade in your car?

Because you owe more than the dealer is willing to pay, the trade-in won’t reduce the cost of the new vehicle at all. The result is you’ll have a higher loan amount on the new car—which increases your chances of getting underwater on that loan too—or you’ll need to pay the lender the difference.

What happens if I trade in my car for a cheaper car?

If your trade-in is financed and you have equity, the dealer will pay the remainder of the loan and subtract the equity from the price of the less expensive car. If the equity of your trade-in exceeds the price of the car your trading for, the dealer will cut you a check for the difference.

Can I trade in my car after 3 months?

While there’s no set time until you can finally trade in your car, it’s best to wait until you have equity. It’s possible to trade in a vehicle that’s worth less than the loan balance, but not all lenders allow this, nor do that many offer the option to roll over negative equity.

Does cleaning your car help trade in value?

Make sure that your car looks its best Fix points out that a clean and well-maintained car is most likely to get the highest trade-in value. “Clean the vehicle inside and out,” she says. “Detailing the car is like staging a home for resale.”

Should I repair car before trade in?

It is beneficial to spend some time sprucing up your car before beginning trade negotiations, but be sure to set a budget for small fix-ups. Perform simple maintenance and cheap cosmetic fixes (like fixing scratches), but remember that you don’t want to spend so much money that you end up losing money on the trade.

Can I trade in my car if it has a recall?

It is true that some states prohibit licensed dealerships from selling cars with open recalls. So trading in your car with an open recall, a dealer may want to ensure the issue has been remedied first. If you did not follow the recall and get the issue fixed you absolutely should inform the dealer or potential buyer.

Is it better to sell your car or trade it in?

Trading in You will get less money than selling it yourself. At best, you should expect to get the vehicle’s wholesale value. You can use the trade-in amount as the down payment on the new car. To get the best price, you will probably have to haggle with an experienced salesperson over the trade-in value.

Can you negotiate trade in value?

Negotiate. “Come into the dealership with a good idea of what your vehicle is worth and what you’d be willing to settle for,” said DeLorenzo. Dealers will often make a low offer, expecting you to negotiate up. But you shouldn’t take less for your trade-in than what an industry guide says it’s worth.

Is trade in value higher than selling?

When consumers buy a new car and sell their current vehicle to the dealership, that vehicle is called a trade-in. Almost always, the amount of money that a dealer will offer for the vehicle, the trade-in value, is less than the amount of money that you could get by selling it on your own, the market value.

Why are car trade in values so low?

Why Trade-In Values Are Lower Basically the difference is because there was a dealer in the middle of the sale that needs to make some money, too. A direct person-to-person transaction would have brought the seller more money. In many states, local laws designed to benefit car owners also keep trade-in prices low.

Can you trade in a car with problems?

The simple answer to this question is yes, you can trade in a car with problems to a dealership. However, your electrical, transmission, engine, AC or other car problems will only transform into another type of problem; money!

What should I fix before trading in my car?

What to fix before trading in a car

Get your car’s exterior washed. This should be a no brainer.
Splurge on an interior detail for your car.
Fix headlights, taillights, and headlamps.
Top off all fluids.
Fix or replace broken or old windshield wipers and windshields.
Touch up those scratches and dings.
Maximize your Trade-In while Minimizing your Investment.

Is it cheaper to repair or replace a car?

It is almost always less expensive to repair a car than buy a new one. Although something as severe as a blown motor or a failed transmission will run you between $3,000 and $7,000 to replace at a dealership, such repairs still don’t cost as much as buying a new car.

Do dents affect car value?

Dents rarely affect how well the car drives or how long it will last, so they have a disproportionate impact on sale-ability. So, dents will typically lower the value of your car. The final question is whether or not it makes financial sense to get them fixed.

How much will a dealership buy my car for?

A dealer will usually spend between $250 and $500 preparing the vehicle for sale. So all you need to do to get an idea of what a dealer will pay for your car is to check the listing prices of similar cars, take 80% of that price and subtract $250 to $500 to get your “rough estimate”.