Want To Trade In Your Vehicle? This Is The Ideal Time To Do It

Should I Trade In My Car?

This is typically the first thing vehicle owners consider. Considering that most of us assume the only way to get top value for their pre-owned car is to do it themselves instead of trading it for a different car. Yet, there are a few factors to consider when attempting to decide if you should trade your vehicle or sell it.

Normally It Takes Longer Selling It Yourself

Selling a car can take many weeks, if not longer; especially if your car is not in great condition. You would have to take care of every aspect of the sale process, from advertising to scheduling test drives, to haggling on price, and everything in between. On the other hand, trading in a car generally happens when you buy your new one.

Document Hassles

Usually the seller is accountable for the required paperwork, such as the car’s title and registration. If you are new to selling, this could be a discouraging and long procedure if unexpected challenges are attached to the paperwork, like a lien. The dealer is capable of taking care of the paperwork, unexpected challenges included.

Lost Tax Benefits

One of the most notable benefits of trading in your vehicle is the possible tax savings offered in states with a state sales tax. In these states, there’s a financial credit applied to your new vehicle’s sales tax if the buyer trades in a car at the same dealer they buy a new vehicle. The taxes are applied to the price difference after the trade-in value is calculated into the new car sale price. The tax savings can quickly reach up to thousands of dollars.

What Is The Best Mileage When Trading In A Car?

There are lots of schools of thought on this, especially with newer cars that are specifically built to last a long time. However, there is a nearly universal agreement of the following three mileage milestones to consider when trading your vehicle in:

30k – 40k miles

This is the time when most new car warranties conclude. On the other hand, this is when the first replacement and repairs of ‘wear’ components, like tires or brakes, are generally done on most vehicles. Your car depreciation will usually begin to grow faster at this point, so the nearer your vehicle is to these miles, the better your trade-in appraisal will usually be.

60,000 To 70,000 miles

Depending on how much you drive, a vehicle that reaches this milestone will generally be between 3 to 5 years old and most likely had many trips to the local auto service bay for routine service. Obviously as the miles pile up, the value gets lower so car owners should think about this when considering their trade-in.

100k+ Miles

It is true that hitting this milestone is no longer the automotive death sentence that it was in years past, thanks to modern technology. However, the more miles a vehicle has, the more the depreciation in all but the most exceptionally kept cars. Anything within this mileage can still have value even if it might not be in perfect condition. The looks and mechanical condition of the car are definitely looked at more closely as the miles increase on the odometer.

Trade-In Car Tips

Finally, a crucial piece of trading in the vehicle is being ready for the trade-in appraisal. While the following recommendations are not an exhaustive list, to be sure, they can help you get the best value out of your car.

Clean It Up

This ought to be a no-brainer, but some people think that presenting their car ‘as-is’ is a more honest way to do a trade-in evaluation. While we are not advocating trying to hide blemishes or problems with the vehicle (spoiler alert, the assessors will see through those attempts regardless), it’s never a bad idea to clean up your vehicle to the best of your ability before bringing it to the dealership for the appraisal. This includes removing all trash and debris from inside the vehicle (including the trunk), vacuuming and washing the interior and exterior, and perhaps even doing a nice interior and exterior detailing. Think of the appraiser as a potential buyer of your vehicle and prepare the vehicle.

Fix or Replace What You Can

We realize that repairs can be overwhelming, especially for serious mechanical problems. Yet, if it is possible to repair minor dings, defects in the paint, and cracks in the various mirrors, windows, and windshield, all of those repairs will help improve the price of your trade. When possible, we recommend fixing any mechanical concerns the car may have as well. The better the condition, the more value you will get for your trade-in.

Be Prepared

If you have decided that trading in your car is the way you want to go, then we suggest coming here with all of your documentation, including the title (if you have it), registration, any repair receipts you have, and keys you have for the car. Come ready to trade your vehicle in and you will speed up the process of driving away in your new one.

DealerRater Feb 23, 2021

I don’t normally write reviews, but sometimes they are necessary! Let me just start by saying that Mr. Darrel Babineaux is the BEST and MOST ATTENTIVE car salesman I have ever encountered. I am new to the Acura family and was a little hesitant on making a firm decision. Originally, I was only coming to look, but ended up buying a new 2021 Acura RDX. I came on the car lot within an hour of closing, undecided on the trim I wanted. Mr. Babineaux offered some perspectives to help distinguish my preferable taste, without making me feel pressured into deciding ...

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DealerRater Jul 6, 2020

I would like to inform you all that the sales rep., Mr. Darell Babineaux is great to work with if you wish to buy a new Acura. He was attentive, honest and cordial. He also works well with the dealership's general manager, Mr. Wil Paz. Both were outstanding. Together, they worked to find the car that I sought.

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