So How Much Is My Used Car Trade in Worth?
It is important to spend some time looking through used car valuation guides and then to adjust the value of your used car trade in for mileage. However, at the end of the day your used car trade in is only worth as much as a used car dealer is prepared to pay for it. It is therefore up to you to try to get as much money for your used car trade in as possible.

Get More Than One Valuation For Your Used Car Trade in
Don't take the word of just one used car dealer. You might be surprised to see how the value of your used car trade in can vary between different dealerships. The time at which you trade in your car may also have a significant impact on the trade in value that is offered. Whatever the trade in value offered by a dealer you should aim to get at least 10% more.

Used Car Trade In Values - What Factors Affect This?
Generally for a used car that is less than eight years old the most important factors that affect trade-in value are: i) service history, ii) mileage and, iii) condition of the bodywork. For cars that are older than this then a good overall condition will help to obtain a better used car trade-in value. Prestigious used cars might have widely varying trade-in values depending on the options that the car has been fitted with. For example a Jaguar XJ with a manual gearbox might not be so easy to trade-in for a fair price as used Jaguar buyers generally demand an auto box. Also, the colour of the car can have a significant impact on trade-in value. White prestigious cars may often be associated with weddings and may have a lower car trade in value.

What Can I Do To Get More Money For My Used Car Trade In?
The most cost effective way of getting a better used car trade-in value is to present your car well. Simply giving both the exterior and interior a good clean helps to give the impression that the car has been well looked after. If you travel with pets in your car then be sure to remove any scents from the vehicle. Cars that have odours may be devalued by much more than 10%. If you are trading in an expensive/prestigious vehicle then the condition of the tires and or alloy wheels can have an impact on the trade-in value. Kerbed alloy wheels and/or unevenly worn tires can be an indication that wheel alignment has been knocked out, or worse, that damage to the steering system has been caused. It might prove cost effective to refurbish any kerbed alloy wheels and to replace any unevenly worn or mismatched tires.

How Do Dealers Try To Reduce Trade In Values On A Used Car?
Remember that the dealer's objective is to obtain your used car trade-in at a minimum cost and maximum profit to the dealership. One way of closing you down on haggling is to offer you a trade-in valuation from a so-called independent source. The dealer's routine might go along the lines of: "I'll just go and telephone three traders and get a valuation for your trade-in". When the dealer gets back he will give you a minimum trade-in value (e.g. 6200) and a maximum trade-in value (e.g. 6600). In all likelihood the dealer hasn't telephoned anyone and has just looked up what your car is really worth using a trade pricing book and then knocked 15% off the value. When this happens you should try to add at least 10% onto the maximum value quoted by the dealer.

Selling On To The Trade - What is That?
If the car you are trading in is more than five years old the dealer may try to undervalue your car by indicating that it will have to be sold on to another trader, the implication being that it is not of sufficient quality to sell on their own forecourt. This may be true, but the fact remains that the dealer can still make as much money (if not more) from your used car trade-in as he can make from selling you a new car. Don't accept an offer for your used car trade-in that is below book value.