5 important things to know about trade-in cars

Whether it's time for an upgrade or your old car just doesn't fit your family's needs, you may be thinking about trading in your car for a new one. Before you jump right in and hand over the keys, there are a few important things…

Whether it's time for an upgrade or your old car just doesn't fit your family's needs, you may be thinking about trading in your car for a new one. Before you jump in and hand over the keys, there are a few important things you need to know about car sales in order to make the best decision.

Credits Matter

If you are still making payments for a car you want to sell, you need to know that you will still be responsible for them even after the exchange. In most cases, the dealer will pay off the remaining amount and include it in the price of your new car, but always make sure you know if this is the case before you sign the paperwork.

Exchange cost

You should always check with Kelley Blue Book or NADA for an estimate of how much your car is actually worth before heading to the car park. This will help you know if the dealer is trying to give you a fair price or is just putting more money in their pockets. The goal of the dealer is to pay as low a price as possible so that he can make a higher profit on the sale, so knowledge is power in such situations.

Before you leave

Make sure you prepare your vehicle before accepting it for a potential trade. Make sure it's clean inside and out and that you're trying to get rid of any noticeable odors. Cars in the best condition tend to have a higher trade-in value, and a clean one always looks better than a car with trash on the floorboards.

Shop around

You should never agree to the first offer to rent a car. Visit three or four lots and see which one has the most to offer before agreeing to a deal. However, if one is significantly higher than the other, make sure you pay attention to how the cars on the lot are priced - they can be overpriced a lot more than they're worth, which is why the dealer offers so much to trade in.

Selling could be more profitable

You should also keep in mind that selling your old car can lead to higher profits. Just remember that you will have to spend time creating the ad, meeting potential buyers, and completing the paperwork. If you can't find a dealer in your area willing to give you something close to what your trade-in is worth, selling it yourself may be your best bet.

If you are exchanging your vehicle for a new one, be sure to consult AvtoTachki for a pre-purchase check before buying to make sure there are no hidden problems.