How Dealers Calculate Trade Value

How Dayton, OH Car Dealerships Calculate Your Trade-In

So you've decided you're going to trade in your current vehicle for a new one, but you're not sure where to start. If you've already started your search for dealers in the Dayton, OH area, you've probably noticed that every single one says they'll give you the best price for your trade-in. But how can you be sure you're really getting the most for your trade-in from a dealer?

We're going to look at some factors that determine a good trade-in value, as well as some warning signs that you might not be getting your money's worth.

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What Is Kelley Blue Book Value?

Chances are, you've heard of the Kelley Blue Book (KBB). The Kelley Blue Book allows Dayton car-owners to look up a value range for their vehicle, making sure they're receiving a fair value. However, this will normally be presented as a range of prices. Some dealers, like the Evans Dealer Group, use tools like Carfax to offer an initial value.

However, we also offer up to $2,500 over KBB for trade-ins. Sometimes, online trade values just don't keep up with the true value of your used car. We're here to make sure you get the most for your vehicle. Combined with Employee Pricing on all non-specialty vehicles and our VIP Benefits, Trotwood car owners will be hard-pressed to find a better deal.

That said, we want to make sure you know what you can do to make your car as attractive as possible to dealerships.

Tips to Help You Get the Best Price for Your Trade-In

1. Take care of your car from the start. When you take good care of your car throughout the duration of ownership, you'll likely get more money for your trade-in—the better shape it's in, the more money you'll get.
2. Do your research. Use online tools like our trade-in estimator so you have a good idea of what the trade-in value is for your vehicle. Knowledge is key here.
3. Give your car a good cleaning. First impressions count. Wash and vacuum your vehicle before bringing it in for an estimate. If you don't want to clean it yourself, there are small businesses who offer car detailing services for reasonable prices. And don't forget to remove all of your personal items from the trunk, center console, and glove compartment.
4. Repair anything that's broken. It's a good idea to fix scratches and dents or replace any missing or worn-out knobs. Don't spend too much money on this though! Make sure it'll be a good return on investment. Many people suggest that you don't spend more than $1,000 on repairing your vehicle before trading it in, meaning, don't fix any big issues. The dealer will deduct the cost of major repairs saving you money in the end. If you were to fix the issue yourself you'd have to pay retail, whereas, the dealer will pay wholesale. It's better to have the dealer subtract $500 to fix something that'll cost you $1,000 to fix.
5. Get your car serviced. Be sure to record all of your regularly scheduled services, and make sure to list any major repairs, so you can provide a logbook to prove to the next owner that the car has been well maintained. Before you come in for an estimate, it's a good idea to get a complete lube, oil, and filter change, and top off fluids. Regular maintenance is very important for the longevity of your vehicle, and our technicians will be able to tell if you've done a good job with this or not.
6. Understand the dealer's perspective. One thing dealers take into consideration when estimating your trade-in value is how fast they think your vehicle will sell. The better shape it's in, the faster it'll sell. We look at each vehicle as a separate item; each vehicle varies in mileage, features, equipment, condition, model, and trim level.

Conclusion

Trying to get the most for your trade-in on the Dayton market can seem like a daunting task, but Evans Dealer Group is working to make it an easy, transparent process through the use of online tools. But even more important is the dealer's commitment to long-term service. Dayton residents looking to trade in their vehicle should choose a dealer that recognizes the importance of building a long-term relationship.

With our VIP Benefits, we make sure our Dayton, OH customers get the most from their vehicle ownership.

Here at the Evans Dealer Group , we take a no-pressure approach to sales, so stop into the dealership if you have questions about the trade in process or want to check out our inventory. We're always happy to answer questions whether it be in person or on the phone, so get in touch and we'll help make sure you get the most for your trade-in.