Car Trade In Value

Everybody thinks of their own car as priceless. But when you need to find your car trade value, the results can be shocking. Ewald's Venus Ford wants to help you understand how used cars are valued. If you're considering trading in your car, we hope this information makes the process more transparent. Let's discover what you need to know about trading in your car at our Ford dealership near you!

What is the trade in value for a car?

Trade in value is the amount which a dealership values your car when you trade it in. It's evaluated based on the make, model, quality, and condition of your vehicle. When you buy your next car, your car's trade in value is deducted from the purchase price.

How do car dealerships determine trade in value?

So what factors determine the trade in value of your car? When you value your car at Ewald, here's what we consider:

Mileage - The number on your odometer will influence your used car's value. The average American drives between 12,000 and 15,000 miles annually. If you divide the mileage on your car by 12,000, you should see a number around the age of the vehicle. If you have a disproportionate amount of miles logged for the age of the car, it will affect the value.

Maintenance - Regular maintenance is essential to keep any car in good condition. If you have records of your service appointments, your trade in value will improve. In the era of vehicle history reports, it's crucial to maintain service records for every vehicle.

Features and options - Some features can improve your car trade in value. Technology and safety features are usually welcome additions to any car, making them a good investment. Leather upholstery and sunroofs are also attractive features. But aftermarket performance features won't give you a great return on your investment.

Condition - This goes for the interior and exterior of the car. The closer your used car is to original condition, the higher value it will hold. If you smoke inside your car, this can reduce the car's trade in value. 

Market value - Brands known for reliability fetch the highest resale prices. Your car's color will affect its market value - neutral toned vehicles appeal to the most customers, so they are valued the highest. Supply and demand for your make and model can also influence the trade in value.

Is it worth it to trade my car in?

Depending on your car and how fast you need to replace it, trading in could be your best option. There's always the option to sell your car privately. But marketing and showing your car to potential buyers can eat up a lot of your time. Here are some reasons to trade in your car:

• Trading in your car is easier than reselling it on your own. You won't need to advertise your car, nor negotiate with haggling buyers. Working with our Ford dealership near you is also safer than dealing with strangers.

• Trading in a car can reduce the amount of sales tax due when you buy your next vehicle.

• You can get into your new car faster by trading it in. You won't need to wait for your current car to sell before you can jump into your new ride.

• Your current car doesn't need to be paid off before you trade it in. Ewald can bundle the remainder of your auto loan into your new financing plan.

How to get the most trade in value for a car

Now that you know how a car's trade in value is calculated, let's cover how to increase your value! There are many things that you can do to improve the value of your car. Follow this advice to maximize your used car value. 

• Improve your car's condition as much as possible. Making repairs to damaged components can increase your trade in value. Just make sure that you're making repairs that will improve your value enough to cover the repair cost!

• Take a good look at your car's exterior for any dings, dents, or scratches. These are affordable to repair, and can go a long way to improve your used car's value.

• Gather your service, repair, and maintenance records. If you can't find your records, call the repair shop or service center to obtain copies. Having documentation of your maintenance indicates that you're responsible enough to care for your car.

• Have your vehicle detailed by a professional. Getting your car's interior completely clean can raise your value by more than the cost of a detailing. This is an inexpensive investment that can improve your car's value instantly.

When you're ready to learn your car's trade in value, Ewald makes it easy. Visit our website to learn how to value your car online with our MaxAllowance program. You'll receive a Considerate Cash offer that can be applied to the purchase of your next vehicle.