The trade in value of vehicles for people who are thinking of selling a car or simply need to know what theirs is worth is sometimes difficult to determine, especially with some models.
Japanese motorcars when imported to South Africa cost more than our cars here, so even for a second hand car of this kind, you are looking at a lot of money.
A used cars exporter when trading in Japanese motorcars may have some vehicles like the Toyota Hiace Regius, Toyota IPSUM or the Mazda Premacy; even though second hand, these cars will cost any South African a small fortune.
Motorcycles obviously have a lower trade in rate than bakkies, Nissan, Opel, Ford or Volkswagen cars do, but they still all have different prices according to their name, model, condition, mileage etc.
How to Find the Trade in Value of Vehicles, and 4 Tips to Increase the Amount even Further
How to find the trade in value of vehicles is a simple matter of going online and searching through the many sites available, which give you all the information as to what your particular car is worth.
For instance, if you visit www.book-value.co.za you will find a handy book value calculator to use, and it is absolutely free of charge.
All you do is choose your car make and model, choose all features relevant to your car, enter the mileage and year, rate your car’s condition from 1 to ten, and with the click of a button, you will receive the book value for your car.
However, it is the things that many people overlook when they want to trade in their car, which lowers the amount they are quoted, quite drastically.
Learn the following 4 tips, and you are sure to get a trade in value that will pleasantly surprise you.
Tip #1. Even if it is old, it does not have to be dirty!
The first impression that someone gets of your car, is one of the deciding factors as to how much you will get as a trade in. Maybe it is not possible to get your old car into showroom condition, but you should make an effort to wash it thoroughly and polish it, until it has a nice clean, shiny look.
Vacuum the carpet and loose mats, and shampoo them if necessary, remembering to leave the doors open, to allow them to dry out properly.
Dust and wax the dashboard, and other fittings in the car, and finish up with an air freshener to neutralize the air inside, especially if it smells like cigarettes. Putting this bit of effort into your car, will give the dealer the impression that you cared enough about the vehicle, to keep it well maintained.
Tip #2. Remember the boot and glove compartment
These should be emptied of all unnecessary items and vacuumed as well, and the carpet shampooed too, if it is dirty. All that you should leave in the glove compartment is the Owner’s Manual, and any other paperwork related to the car.
Include any maintenance records as well. If possible, leave a small container of touch-up paint and leather cleaning products in the glove compartment as well. These are all positive indications to the dealer, that you did take time to look after your car.
Tip #3. The dealer will look for other things too, that will tell him whether or not you kept the car well-maintained
Check these things yourself, and repair or replace them before you take your car for a trade in value.
These should include wheel balancing, and the replacement of any tires that are worn, the wipers, and even another tune up too, if you feel that your car needs it.
Top up the break fluid, change the oil if it needs changing, and put in a new air filter as well. If the dealer finds these things to be in good condition, then it will raise your credibility with him, without a doubt.
Tip # 4. Be honest about any problems
Be open and honest about any problems, big or small, that you know about your car. If the inside light does not work, then mention it, if there are scratches and a few dents in the bodywork, then point them out to the dealer. If your car has some sort of major problem, then do not try to hide it from the dealer, because he will get to know about it anyway, when he has the car inspected.
Doing this will raise your credibility even further and you will have gained the dealer’s utmost respect, which will work wonders for you, when he is working out the trade in value of your car.
The above tips can be helpful in increasing the trade in value of your car. There is a variety of these sites on the Internet, where you can find hints and tips about raising your car’s trade in value.
On the other hand, by simply keeping your car well maintained from the time of purchase, and seeing to it that all the important paperwork is kept safe, then your car will always be in a condition to get the best possible trade in value.