Learning the process of how to trade in your car can help alleviate the stress that comes with car buying. When the time comes to get behind the wheel of a new vehicle, you’ll be ready to trade yours in. The team at Medlin Mazda has created this helpful guide to teach drivers the trade-in process. If you have any questions, you want to learn more car-buying tips, or you want to talk through your options, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Once you find a new vehicle you like, and if you decide to trade in your current vehicle, there are a few things you can do to get the process started on your trade-in. Here’s an overview of how to trade in your car:
While you can always shop around to get your car’s current value, we recommend using the car value tools on trusted websites such as the Kelley Blue Book® Value or Edmunds Appraisal Tool®. At Medlin Mazda, we also have a Value Your Trade tool that you can take advantage of to find the estimated value of your car. Simply enter the following information:
It’s also helpful to know what other vehicles similar to yours have sold for. Knowing this information can help you negotiate your trade-in offer.
The next step is to bring your vehicle in for an inspection. For most, this is the most nerve-racking part of learning how to trade in a car. If the vehicle is in bad shape, or if there are issues with it at the time, the appraisal could be low or the dealership may not accept it if they cannot resell the car. To avoid this, keep up with your vehicle’s maintenance schedule. This will not only keep your vehicle running longer while you own it, but it will increase your chances of a higher trade-in offer.
If you’ve received multiple offers, you can negotiate for the best option. Should you accept the offer provided by the dealership, the money you get can be put towards the down payment of a new vehicle. Next, you follow the financing or leasing process for your new vehicle.
Looking to learn more about how to trade in a car or have questions about our financing center? Don’t hesitate to contact our team. We look forward to helping you drive off in the new vehicle that best suits your needs.
