Trade In Values

No matter how much you love the car you're in, it isn't always practical or even desirable to keep it.  Sometimes, it just makes more sense to get something newer.  Sometimes, we just have the urge to upgrade.  Buying a new car is more than just figuring out your price limits; it's also figuring out how much money you can get out of the car you're driving now.  The best trade in values can often be gotten by doing a bit of research, both on the Internet and on the phone. 

The best car trade in values are generally obtained from a car dealership.  Certainly, some independent buyers will offer you a bit of money for the car you're currently driving, or even offer an even trade.  However, if you're not sure whom you're buying from, there is a very real chance of being fleeced.  That's why it's best to take your trade-in to a car dealership, where you can be relatively safe in your value.


Where Can You Find Trade In Values?

Auto trade in values fluctuate depending upon a number of factors.  The most important of these factors is the overall condition of your car.  Generally speaking, the better the condition of the car that you're going to trade, the more you can expect to realize from the deal.  While Kelley Blue Book and the NADA values book were originally distributed as hard copies, and certainly still are, the Internet has quickly become the library of choice for people searching for car trade in values.  There are a great many websites where you can get trade in information.  If you know the approximate trade in value for your car, you can make sure that the dealer doesn’t try to short change you when completing the trade.


Online Sources For Trade In Values

Kelley Blue Book

Kelley Blue Book is the gold standard for automobile valuation.  Kelley has become so important and so well known in the industry, that the terms "blue-book” and "blue-book value" have become commonplace in everyday language.  After publishing its first book on automobile valuation and auto trade in values in 1926, Kelley quickly become the largest and most respected company of its kind.  Car trade in values have been closely linked with their "blue-book" value ever since. 

The Kelley Blue Book system is currently used by banks and finance companies to determine whether a vehicle is worth the asking price.  If a car's trade in values are less than the amount being asked, the bank will often refuse the loan.  Kelley is primarily used online, at www.kbb.com, and since its launch in 1995, has consistently been one of the top-visited sites on automobiles on the web.
NADA

The National Automobile Dealers Association is another major competitor for the top spot when it comes to determining auto trade in values.  The NADA "Orange book" is often claimed to be the one most used by automobile dealerships when determining the car trade in values that they will pay.  While Kelley Blue Book is most often used by individuals, the NADA book value often determines how much a seller will get for their trade-in from an auto dealer.  www.nada.org is their official website.  NADA publishes pricing information for new and used cars, as well as many types of classic automobiles.  Like Kelley, they will also help you find the value of your playthings, as well, including boats, motorcycles, motor homes, and ATVs.  They publish more information about more types of vehicles than any other data provider on the market.



What Factors Influence Trade In Values?

There are many factors that can influence the final value of a trade in.  The most obvious of these is the overall condition of the vehicle.  The condition of the exterior of the vehicle, including the wheels, paint, and body, is perhaps the biggest determining factor.  In addition to the exterior condition of the vehicle, however, dealers also take into consideration the condition of the interior, as well.  Damage to the seats and carpeting and even fading from the sun can all affect the trade in value of your automobile. 

The bottom line is that anytime you decide to purchase a new car, it's important to do your research.  By researching the make, model, and condition of your vehicle online, you can better determine how much the trade in values will be.  You can find all the information that you need on trade in values either on the Internet, or by purchasing a copy of the buying guides mentioned here.  Before you do, though, make sure that you call a number of the dealers in your area where you intend to shop, and inquire as to which car trade in values book they use.  They may not tell you, but you have nothing to lose by trying. 

Bookmark/Share This Page: