What Does Trading in Your Car Mean?
Trade-ins are a customary practice among dealerships nationwide. A trade-in is the process of trading your current vehicle for another one from a dealership. The value of your current vehicle is then applied to the price of your next vehicle. The higher the trade-in value, the more you may be able to put toward your current vehicle purchase.
You're also likely to get a higher trade-in value than selling your vehicle outright. This is because your value goes toward the value of your next vehicle, not a dollar amount. This makes it easier for us to make a profit by selling your vehicle later, and those benefits get passed to you.
How Do I Get the Highest Value for My Trade-in?
Well, that really depends on the condition and overall health of the car. Dealerships tend to focus on the following factors when evaluating a car for trade-in:
- Mileage
- Exterior/interior condition
- Resale value
- Your location
- The manufacturer
Other aspects dealerships consider are accident/maintenance reports, any added customizations, and the current car market.
The best way to increase your trade value is keeping your car up to date on maintenance. Make sure to get receipts from all your service appointments and bring them with you when you're ready to trade in your vehicle. Proof that a vehicle has been well taken care of can increase its value.
Benefits of Trade-ins
Trade-ins offer so many benefits for new and experienced shoppers.
For one, the process may generally lower the amount you need to finance for your next vehicle. If a trade offer goes through, it may cover the down payment of the newer vehicle.
Trade-ins also allow for wiggle room, even when you haven't fully paid off your current car. Most dealerships will cover the remaining balance of what you owe to accept the vehicle. Although you'll still have to eventually pay off this balance, trade-ins give drivers the ability to receive a new car, even if they haven't finished paying off their current one.
Finally, a trade-in is so easy to do compared to reselling your car on your own. Dealerships can take your car in as-is condition, so there are no lingering questions or concerns. Once the vehicle is off your hands, you're free to enjoy your new ride!
How We Handle Your Trade-in
We offer website visitors a free trade-in valuing tool courtesy of Kelley Blue Book®. This tool guides you on how to value your current car, so you can get an estimate of your trade-in offer.
This tool also allows you to input whatever model you choose from our inventory to get an idea of how much the offer may cover the model's down payment or other upfront costs.
Once you have your offer, we'll sit down with you at our finance center. There, we'll ask you to fill out a quick finance application and we'll break down the benefits of either leasing or buying your next vehicle.
Our finance team will work hard for you to get fair rates and then calculate your trade-in value into your future payments. Sign on the dotted line, and you can either drop off your trade-in at our lot, or we can schedule a pickup right from your home.
How to Prepare Your Trade In
Here are some of the steps needed to trade in your car:
Gather Up
The first thing you're going to want to prepare is your documents. To get ready to trade in your car, you're going to want your title, registration, and proof of insurance. Consider putting all your important documents into one folder so they are in the same place when you're ready to visit our dealership.
As we mentioned above, another thing you may want to bring if you have them readily available is any proof of service. This could be receipts from service appointments, or any service records you have available. Of course, if you don't have any available, this is fine as well.
Clean Up
The next thing on your to do list is to clean your vehicle for trade in. Start by removing all your personal belongings so you don't end up losing any of them-it's also common courtesy to remove your collection of napkins from the glovebox.
Most car washes will have a vacuum available to use so you can get rid of all the crumbs from when you only have time for lunch in your car. While you're there, take a run through the wash as well-nothing looks better than a fresh and shiny car ready for trade in.
Last, if you have a newer model car, you likely have a Bluetooth®-enabled infotainment system, so make sure to remove any of your personal settings from it.
Check Up
Now that your documents are together and your car is clean, it's time to take it to our service center for a multi-point inspection. This will let you know if you have any issues that need immediate attention, anything that could become an issue down the line, and things that are perfectly fine.
This will give our professional appraiser a good baseline when they begin their inspection for your trade-in.
Trade with Us Today!
By better understanding the trade-in process, you're officially one step closer to getting the car of your dreams. Blaise Alexander Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT of Lewisburg hopes this piece was informative and gets you thinking when it comes to choosing your next purchase with us!
We service customers near the Lewisburg, Sunbury, and Danville, Pennsylvania, areas, so swing by our showroom when you're ready for a test drive. Our sales team is excited to meet you and your family so we can get you behind the wheel of the right car, truck, or SUV for everyone!
Contact us about trading in your vehicle today!
We offer website visitors a free trade-in valuing tool courtesy of 
The next thing on your to do list is to clean your vehicle for trade in. Start by removing all your personal belongings so you don't end up losing any of them-it's also common courtesy to remove your collection of napkins from the glovebox.
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