Vehicle Trade-in Tips

Wash & Prep the Exterior

An easy way to get started is to take your vehicle to the car wash or use supplies you have at home. This first step will wash away any dirt and debris to help catch any scratches. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to polish up that windshield glass and make it shine. 

Should there be any paint scratches or dings, you can buff them out or take the car to a professional detailer. Before you know it, you'll have your model all spick and span and prepared to get a great valuation.

To prep the exterior further, take a look at a few of the following areas:

• Fluid levels under the hood
• Headlights/taillights/brake lights
• Tire tread

Fill up any low fluids and replace dim or broken bulbs. Check to ensure your vehicle's tire tread is at the right depth and consider a new set if needed. 

Clean Out the Interior

Next, you'll want to vacuum the interior to clear away any interior dirt. Go over the seats, floor mats, and trunk area to leave a clean space for the next driver. Polish the interior windshield glass and dust off the dashboard for a sleek look.

This is also a good opportunity to remove any personal items from the vehicle. Check areas like the glove box, arm rest storage area, and seat pockets to confirm everything is safely in the house.

Clear Away Technology Data

Our next vehicle trade-in tip is to clear technology data. This tip has become more common in recent years thanks to the many tech systems within vehicles. You'll want to make sure to erase any personal information from the following:

• Navigation systems
• Bluetooth^®-linked apps
• Garage door openers

That way, you can feel confident all home addresses and personal phone numbers are removed from the vehicle.

Find All Documents and Accessories

Next, find all documents and accessories associated with the vehicle. This includes items like the car title and registration as well as the owner's manual and spare keys.

Service records are also important to document routine upkeep. Have you done any recent repairs or made purchases toward the vehicle? Bring along receipts to help boost the value.

Estimate Your Vehicle's Trade-in Value

Lastly, you'll want to estimate your vehicle's trade-in value before you stop by the dealership. This gives you a base number of how much to expect. Then, you can do some of the above steps, like cleaning and repairing the car, to help increase the value.

Access our online trade-in form to send us details about your vehicle. You can also share some pictures to show us how it looks. We'll send over an estimated appraisal. Then, you can schedule an in-person inspection to get the final value.