When buying a new car, you’ll obviously want to get the best deal – the best car for the lowest price.
Part of this deal includes the price that you get for your existing vehicle, which then goes towards paying for the new one.
Most people buying a new vehicle choose to trade in their existing one as
Although different dealers will offer different prices for your current car, what is actually important is the final ‘cash’ price you have to pay, whether you’re paying it outright or through a finance deal.
If one dealer offers you more for your part exchange but the car you’re buying costs significantly more, then you might not be getting the best deal, unless of
With so many different finance deals and free servicing deals out there at the moment, it can often be hard to work out the total value of what you’re getting.
Before you even go looking at new cars, it is worth getting an idea of what your current car is worth. You can use a used car price guide to get a free basic valuation, which will give you a good idea of what you should be aiming for.
Do bear in mind that all valuations are subject to the overall condition of your vehicle and encompass not only damage but mileage too.
Consequently, if you are going to a dealership and are looking for a part exchange price, go in the car that you want to trade-in.
If the dealer hasn’t seen your car, you can’t be sure that that will be the actual price they’ll offer when you come to seal the deal.
If your car is in good condition, you can also have a look at how much other dealers (or even that dealer) are selling similar cars for. You can find used car prices on our website to give you an idea, and even print this information off and take it with you when you go to the dealership.
Obviously there will be a difference between this retail price and the trade price that you get offered for your vehicle, as the dealers will want to make a profit. Our used car valuations also include a car price guide detailing the different
Although part exchanging your car at a dealership means that you’ll get a lower price than you might if you sell privately, do remember that you won’t have to fork out anything for advertising fees, plus you can be sure that you’re not being scammed or having your time wasted.
Selling your car privately could take a while, so if you’re looking for a quick deal, then a dealer is best.
To get the best price from the dealer, make sure you present your car in the best condition possible. It might be worth getting any minor damage fixed (although this might not be worth the extra you’d get), and make sure you have the full service history, any spare keys and the MOT certificate and V5C documents to hand.
