Thinking about a new vehicle can be exciting, but make sure you don’t forget about your old one. The decision over what to do with your existing automobile can have a major impact on your transaction, especially if you choose to trade it to the dealership for credit toward the new car.
Additionally, note that there are some strategic steps vehicle owners can take to maximize their trade-in value. Here are a few steps to consider before you bring your trade-in to Matthews Motors Wilmington.
Enhance Your Car’s Trade-In Value
Check Kelley Blue Book.
When you go to the KBB website, you can enter in some basic information about your vehicle and get a ballpark estimate of how much it’s worth. The emphasis here is on ballpark, as the specific value can vary quite a bit just depending on how well you’ve maintained your car. Also be sure to look for trade-in value, which is not the same as resale value. This can at least help you make an informed guess about how much your trade-in will help you defray the cost of a new vehicle.
Give it a thorough cleaning.
First impressions go a long way, and to get more credit for your trade-in, it never hurts to wow the appraisers with a vehicle that’s been carefully scrubbed, vacuumed out, and brought to glistening perfection.
Stay on top of routine maintenance.
Be ready to show the vehicle appraisers that you’ve taken good care of your car. If you’re about due for an oil change or tire rotation, have that work performed before you bring in your trade-in. Also, keep track of your maintenance records and documentation, which can help demonstrate that you’ve been a responsible vehicle owner.
Learn More About Trading in an Older Vehicle
At Matthews Motors Wilmington, we’re always eager to show you our used vehicle inventory, but we can also answer any questions you might have about vehicle financing and trade-ins. In short, our team is here to help you make an informed decision about your next vehicle purchase. Find out more by contacting us today.
