How to Trade in a Car

Find Out If You Owe Anything

The first step when you’re thinking of trading in your current car is to find out if you owe anything on the vehicle. If you still have any payments due, you’ll want to pay those off before you initiate the trade, or you can speak to one of our finance experts about other options you may have.

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Research Your Car’s Value

You want to head into the trade-in process with all your research done already to help you get the best value for you ride. Start by looking at third-party websites, like Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds to get a sense for the value of similar vehicles sold in your area.

Keep in mind these numbers are just estimates. Every car is different and various factors like mileage, model year, vehicle condition, and even exterior color can affect your trade-in value.

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Get an Estimate

With a rough idea of your car’s value in mind, you’re ready to get an estimate. You can either stop by the dealership and speak to a member of their team or use an online Value Your Trade tool. If you have any questions about why you’re getting the number you are, make sure to speak to one of our dealership’s trade experts.

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Build Your Budget

After getting the trade-in value, you’re ready to start building a budget. Your current car’s trade-in amount can play a large role in the trading process, so be sure to speak to a finance expert if you have any questions.

From there, you can start to look at other facts, like down payment amount and additional warranties you may want to add on to your next ride.

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Weigh Your Options

It’s time to start shopping! Browse the dealership’s inventory to see which models they have that can fit your needs. Once you have a few models in mind, you can check out reviews and comparisons to help decide if it’s the best ride for you.

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Gather your Documents

The last step before heading to the dealership to finalize your trade-in is to gather the necessary paperwork. When you trade in your ride, some of the documents you may need to have on hand include:

• A clean and free title for your current car
• A current driver’s license
• Proof of automotive insurance
• Income documentation—paystubs, W2, etc.

With these documents in hand, you’re ready to finalize your trade!