How to Get the Most Out of Your Trade-In Vehicle 

When it comes time to change vehicles, do you know how to do so without breaking your own bank? Your current vehicle has a value that you can put towards its replacement. How do you make the most out of your current vehicle when it is time to trade it in for your next one? You know what it was worth to you. Your experience alone is an unseen, personal value, but it is probably unknown to the dealership. There are some things you can do to get the most value out of your current vehicle before you trade it in.  

You can first look up your vehicle’s value using various print and online guides. Kelley Blue Book is the most prominent used-car value guide, often used by dealers. You can also look at NADA Guides, TrueCar, and our own trade-in value tool for comparison with KBB. Each guide has a value based on condition. You should be able to know your vehicle’s condition before making notes on what the guides say.  

Part of what determines your vehicle’s value is its mileage. Under normal circumstances, you should average 10,000-12,000 miles per year. Practically every basic warranty reflects an average mileage in its coverage, which makes it a good guide for determining an exact value for your vehicle. Higher mileage may expose some additional wear and tear, which will affect your actual trade-in value.  

Before you trade in your current vehicle, make sure it has been maintained on schedule. That also means having access to maintenance records and receipts to prove you have maintained it properly. That includes maintaining the vehicle yourself. A well-maintained vehicle helps to get the trade-in value you are looking for.  

Your trade-in vehicle should always be presentable to the appraiser. Regular cleaning helps to maintain the finishes and surfaces throughout your vehicle.  

A few things to consider. If you made modifications to your vehicle, such as increased horsepower, a new exhaust system, or a body kit, it would affect your trade-in value. The general resale marketplace is not friendly to any vehicles that have been customized.  

With a clean and well-maintained vehicle with average mileage, you are ready to make the trade-in as part of the deal for your next vehicle.  

The team at Michael Hohl Honda can assist you with trading your current vehicle for your next one. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always here to assist you.