Used Car Trade Values

If you are thinking about buying a new car and you have a used car to get rid of then the simplest thing you can do is to trade the car in. And because automotive dealers normally want you to trade in your car, they develop ways to make the process easier and rewarding. There are many other options for you regarding that used car of yours. Here are three of those options.

Donate your car to a charity

If you only want to dispose your old car and money is not really a concern for you then donating your car to a charity is a really good option to consider. You won’t get any cash in hand or a discount on a new car purchase, but donating items such as a car is tax deductible. And of course, your donation will help people in need. If you donate to the right charity, your car can end up in the hands of someone who is in desperate need of a car.

Sell your car yourself

If you are interested in getting a good amount for your used car then selling it privately probably the best way to go. However, be aware that there can be a lot of work involved. You will need to invest your time in meeting with people who are interested in your car. You will also probably have to lay out some cash to clean up your car and to advertise it. You will also have to ready to “sell” your car by being dedicated to the idea and in presenting the car appropriately to potential buyers.

Trade in your car to a dealer

Trading in your car at a dealership will almost always be the easiest most hassle free way to get rid of it. You can avoid the tedious and time consuming work you would have to perform when selling the car yourself. You don’t even have to worry about making minor repairs or cleaning it. You will skip tasks such as placing advertisements, giving test drives, handling paperwork and any issues that might come up if your buyer is unhappy. On the other hand, if you trade your car in then once the dealer has it, it’s completely their responsibility.

Many people think you can’t get as good of a deal through a trade in as compared to selling it outright, but this is not always true. You can get really good deals when buying a new car. Plus you won’t have the expenses you would have when selling it. If you do not have the time to sell your car privately or you cannot afford to donate it then trade in your car.

These are just a few ideas to help nudge you in the right direction when considering what to do with your old car when in the market to buy a new one. Take these suggestions to heart and do your research to make sure you figure out the best way to handle your used car.

Every day countless people are looking to buy a new car and most of them have a used car they need to get rid of. They are faced with the decision to either trade in their car or to sell it. It’s a very common situation when buying a new car. If you are in this position then ask yourself these questions to help you decide whether you should sell your car or if a used car trade in is better.

Should you repair your car?

If you are leaning toward selling your used car is then it needs to be in good shape. However, if your car is in need of repairs then you need to consider how much you are going to have to spend on the repairs. If the cost is too high, you might not regain the entire cost when you sell. Considering the cost of repairs is important whether you want to sell your car or trade it in, but it can be easier to get more money on a trade in.

How much research do you want to do?

Regardless of whether you want to sell your used car or trade it in, you will need a do a fair amount of research. You will undoubtedly need to go to some of the top valuation websites, such as kbb.com, Edmunds.com, NADA.com and AutoTrader.com. Either way, you need to establish a realistic price.  Out of these two options, selling your car will more than likely require you to do more research. You will need to figure out things like whether or not you will list your car online, whether you should get your car inspected first and how to handle the paperwork.

Do you like to sell?

Selling your car can take a lot more time than the used car trade ins route. You will need to at least have the strong desire to sell it, but it will make it easier if you actually like selling. You will have to talk with a wide variety of people, show the car, let people take test drives and answer a lot of questions. You also need to “convince” potential buyers to buy your used car, so you will have to know your car very well.

How much do you like paperwork?

When you take on the responsibility of selling your used car to a private buyer then all the paper work is your responsibility. You’re going to want to handle the transaction properly, so you don’t want to fill out the paperwork incorrectly. If you end up doing something wrong, you could continue to be the owner, not only for tax payments, but also for liability too.  If you choose to trade in your used car then the dealership will handle the paperwork for you. All you need to do is drop off the car and sign the necessary papers.

Do you need to sell your used car quickly?

If you need to sell your car immediately then you will have to figure out what your options are, which will take a little research. You will undoubtedly have options for a quick sale, but just know that the price you get will more than likely be less than if you took more time to sell it. It can even be less that if you took it into a dealer as a used car trade in. You should always proceed with a quick sale carefully.

These are just some of the questions to consider when deciding whether you will sell your car or trade it in. There are other considerations, but answering these questions for yourself is a good start. Do a little research, take a little time and you will be able to decide if you should sell your used car or go for the used car trade ins.