I have a vehicle to trade in. Now what? If you’re in the market for a new vehicle and have a vehicle to trade, you may be a bit uncertain how to proceed. What do you need to know about how your car condition impacts the value? And, what do you need to do in order to get the best value for your vehicle? Does condition matter? Should you detail it and clean it?

Research your vehicle’s trade-in value.

You may give a quick search on Kelly Blue Book for a fair market value benchmark. That said, it will be up to the dealer to review your car and provide that value. If you’re not the original owner of the vehicle, Carfax provides the history of the vehicle including any extensive repairs which could affect the trade-in value.

Update your service records.

Pay attention to your service records. They will matter and impact your car valuation. Be current on your vehicle’s oil changes, tire rotations and overall service and maintenance. Is the vehicle running properly? Is there a leak, noise or rattle? Consider repairing any damage to maximize the value the dealer gives. The condition of your trade will most definitely impact the dealer’s valuation.

Detail your vehicle.

Listen, this is your one chance to “sell” your vehicle to the dealership. So, give your car a solid clean up. Not only an exterior wash but also vacuum, wash the interior windows, clean out the trunk. Prepare your trade-in like you would your home if you were going to list it for sale. Spending some energy and elbow grease on your vehicle’s inspection will improve the valuation of your vehicle.

Lean on a car concierge to help with your trade.

CarSnoop is an Indy-based car concierge which handles the details of your trade in. You completely hand over the process and enjoy the stress-free experience! CarSnoop walks you through the easy steps. The process is guided and can all be done from home without ever visiting the dealership. You’ll scan your VIN which will instantly populate your vehicle’s information into the CarSnoop system. You’ll provide photos and get started with the valuation process. The entire trade-in evaluation is simple and done completely from home.

New car buying with a trade-in is made simple with CarSnoop. Let us save you time and hassle. Experience a stress-free way to buy a new car with CarSnoop.