We all want to get the BEST deal we possibly can no matter what we buy, and buying your next car shouldn’t be any different!
If you have a current car and you are wanting to trade it in (versus selling it privately) it’s presentation & your knowledge of it’s history can play a big role in the price you get for it.
Some KEY Tips below,
First & most Basic is to arrive with a clean car !
If you arrive with a dirty car that looks like it has only ever had a one night stand with a Sponge & Suds as opposed to a more steady relationship then it is going to make it impossible to appraise the body of the car properly and so a dealer who maybe is very interested in your car can only offer you what we call an ‘Average’ price as they can’t actually see what condition the car is in.
Secondly, know your car’s SERVICE HISTORY,
The Car dealer does want to give you the best price they can, they want the deal!
But from their point of view trading in a car with Zero or Little history and the owner not knowing any history or dates or who it was done by, presents that car as a risk (the more miles & older – the bigger the risk).
With a lack of service books in cars and busy lives all round it can be easily forgotten and hard to remember what works where carried out to your car, we recommend writing down the Date / Miles / Which Garage done the work and if it was a Service or MOT or something more major, this all helps build a picture of a car that was maintained and looked after and helps add value to your trade in.
IN PARTICULAR we recommend,
Writing down Major Maintenance – These things below are VERY important to know, they cost more than your average service and are vital to the health of your vehicle so if you have noted it was done then again that adds value (other wise the dealer may deduct to allow to do that when he/she trades it in) particularly in higher miles vehicles. ( high mileage doesn’t have to be a problem but clear evidence/ proof of servicing is even more valuable in the higher miles)
- Timing Belt &/or Water pump – every car Manufacture has different recommendations but if your car is in the higher miles (75k onwards this is a must to know)
- Suspension works – good to know
- Clutch – not as crucial but if you had one done this was probably costly! and you should tell the Dealer as they will know that is not something they have to worry about.
- Recalls by the Manufacturer– Again not as crucial but if Recalls are on your car and your trading it in, if the work is completed it saves the dealer time and costs and again can add value to your trade in.
- Recent Tyres or Battery – will add value as the Dealer will again be aware that they don’t have to allow for the unknown.
Thirdly, Be as Honest & Detailed as you can,
Providing accurate information about the history of your car keeps negotiations smooth, but be transparent if you don’t know the answer or when the last service was carried out just own it! It means the Dealer can do that when they have it traded in for the sake of the health of the vehicle before someone else might get it. The more transparent you are the more likely you are to get a good value and all round deal. Note any damage to them that they are going to find anyway – it builds trust and makes the process quicker and more pleasurable for both parties – the way it should be when you purchasing anything of high value.
Also, bear in mind it’s important to be realistic with expectations when trading a car in, you are not going to get the same money if you were to sell it yourself, Why ?! because car dealers have to spend money to make a car retail presentable by valeting/ servicing it and carrying out any repairs needed. Off Course you have the option to make more money by selling it privately but again weigh up your options, PRO – more money perhaps? – CON – trying to coincide the selling of one with the purchase of the other. The insistent messages breaking down your price before they even look at it, the strangers wanting to test drive your car, the list can go on but for some it is an option worth considering. Finally, you could always put out the feelers within the family & friend circle, someone might be keen to buy your car and if you get more £££’s than what you are being offered as a trade in without the hassle of dealing with tsunami of face book messages then it’s a win win situation!
Hope that helps!
Photo by Antoni Shkraba Studio