Trading in a car doesn’t have to be complicated if you know the basics. In this article, we’ll talk about the ins and outs of car pricing for private sellers. Offering personalized customer service, the Earnhardt Honda staff can walk you through the whole process of how to trade in a car or sell it for cash to a dealer.
Earnhardt Honda buys cars from sellers who aren’t interested in purchasing from us. We’re good with that! We need used cars for our inventory, and that can work in your favor. We encourage you to talk to us online, by phone or in person.
By the way, you can check your car’s worth with this valuation tool. Let’s get started.
How to Trade in a Car Basics: What You Need
To sell your car to a dealer or to a stranger, you’ll need a clear title. That’s an official document you should have that shows you are the sole owner of the car. It is not a clear title if there’s still a loan or lease. We’ll get to that later in this article. For now, let’s assume you have a clear title in your name. You should also have the registration in your name as well.
A dealer needs to see your valid driver’s license to verify that you are who you say you are. Of course, that needs to match up with the title and registration. Married couples and others who may co-own a vehicle will need to both be present to transfer a title legally.
Understanding Valuations: How to Recognize a Fair Deal
Everyone wants to be treated fairly. It can be difficult if you don’t feel like you are getting a fair deal on the car you are selling. If you gather some facts first, it may help you decide whether a dealership is treating you well.
Where to get facts? You can use our valuation tool from Kelley Blue Book. That gives you an up-to-the-minute idea of how much your car may be worth. KBB also has reports that show you the range of values that your make, model and year can command. The Black Book, another valuation system, can also give you a figure. Which amount is correct?
Sellers should notice that there is always some disparity in these figures. The Blue Book and Black Book don’t always agree any more than two people always agree.
Beyond the differing valuation methods, a used car is judged on the market and the popularity of its style or model. It is also evaluated on its individual history, mileage, age, and so forth. A smart seller is realistic about how these factors can affect the Blue Book basic trade values.
Knowing When to Accept and When to Walk Away
You will get quick offers online that may seem like a sure deal. However, it’s only when you visit a dealership and your car has a real inspection that you can see what your car is really worth. If you aren’t happy with one dealership, you can go to others.
Earnhardt Honda won’t force you to take the offer we make on your used car. However, we hope you will see it as a fair deal and recognize that we are doing as well as any dealership probably could.
Dealing with a Car Loan When Selling a Car for Cash
A car loan does not mean you cannot sell a car. However, you should consider how much of the car belongs to you and how much to the lender. If you sell now, you may not be able to recoup much of your money. The best way to understand this is to subtract your loan amount from the predicted value of your used car. If there isn’t much left, it may be a bad time to sell your car. If you will still owe on your loan, there’s simply no way to sell your car for cash.
We wish you good luck in selling your car. Please consider offering it to us. We’ll provide a fair valuation based on market conditions and your vehicle’s condition.
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