Like everyone else, motorists like to get value for money and when it comes to trade in values for cars there are many different factors that can impact on the vehicle’s value. So before you trade in the car you have been driving for the last few years for a shiny new model it’s worth considering how you can maximise the trade in value of the car so as to get the most bang for your buck.
It’s fair to say that many motorists are sometimes disappointed with the part-exchange value offered for their cars and while it can be frustrating to get a lower valuation than you expect there are actions you can take to mitigate against unsatisfactory trade-in valuations. The most obvious of course is to take your business elsewhere but generally speaking dealerships will not be in a position to give you the values you see for the a similar vehicle being sold privately, as they have to think of their own margins, and further they will have to go to the trouble of preparing the vehicle for sale and ultimately selling it themselves. The motorist and the dealer need to meet halfway here and expectations should be aligned with one party recognising that they may not get the value they would get if they sold privately, while the other should do everything possible to offer a fair price that is as close to market value as possible. One of the most common reasons for the breakdown of a possible sales transaction at a dealership is when there is a big disparity in trade in value between the two parties involved so it’s fair to say that trade in values can certainly be a bone of contention
How to Prepare You Car for Trade In
To avoid any delays or issues with securing the trade in value for your car it’s always best to be prepared so that you can get the keys for the new vehicle as soon as possible. To that end it is recommended that you have all the paperwork nicely organised in a single folder (and the service record should certainly be included here). While the dealership will valet the trade in before any sale, it is worth ensuring that the vehicle is relatively clean and tidy. You don’t want to give a reason for the value to be lowered any further due to the vehicle being unnecessarily dirty or messy.
Finally it’s worth having a chat with your local dealer about the state of the market and what kind of vehicles are sought after at that specific moment in time. The automotive market can be quite turbulent and your dealer should be able to inform you on what kind of cars people are looking for and when they will be looking for then. This will enable you to make a decision on what time might be best to trade in the vehicle, as just like with the housing market, extracting the maximum value can be a simple matter of timing. You are not obligated to trade the vehicle in there and then, and like with anything if you are unhappy with the vehicle valuation you can shop around.
Factors that Affect trade in values for cars
Mileage: Obviously the less kilometres on the odometer the better.
Age: It’s a simple economical truth that newer cars carry more value, even the difference in value between a 151 and 152 plate may be significant although they might have been purchased mere weeks apart.
Spec: We all like our luxuries so higher-spec models will earn more in a trade-in.
Maintenance: Does the car have a full service history? Does it drive well? Any visible marks or scratches? All these will be considered when calculating the value.
Engine: Diesel of Petrol? In recent times buyers are turning away from older diesel vehicles and a new breed of buyer is more conscious of green issues so hybrids and electrics will add value.
Tax and NCT: This is very simple, if the car has a valid NCT and tax certificate then the buyer doesn’t have to pay for those and the vehicle’s value will increase accordingly.
Previous Owners: Less owners implies that the vehicle has been sold less and therefore has perhaps had less mechanical issues and has served its owners well. This perceived sense of reliability can add value to the vehicle while conversely a large number of previous owners may raise alarm bells and affect the value.
If you are interested in purchasing a used vehicle and want detailed information on mileage history, tax and NCT history, previous owners and much more then always get a Cartell car history check.
How to Determine the Market Value of Your Car
A Cartell car history check includes our custom-built and exclusive CPG (Cartell Price Guide) and will provide a valuation for the car you are interested in based on a variety of different criteria. Cartell.ie works with leadings car sales companies like CarsIreland.ie, Autotrader and Adverts.ie and reviews the cars being posted for sale and the data associated with these vehicles. Armed with this data we can then cross-reference the valuations for each make and model against a whole range of other data points so that we can make an accurate assessment of what the vehicles in the Irish used car market are worth.
Cartell CPG – Bringing Accurate Car Valuations to Ireland
CPG doesn’t simply take an advertised figure for a used car and assign that value to it, rather we go deeper to assess why vehicles are valued at certain prices and what makes one make and model more valuable than other. By in-depth research and investigation of a comprehensive pool of data Cartell and CPG have revolutionized the process for a more accurate car valuation service in Ireland.
Because Cartell has access to the widest database of information on cars in Ireland our CPG is able to accurately assess the true value of a used car against a range of criteria that the used car market regards as critical when determining the real-world value of a specific vehicle. These criteria include:
- Original Value
- Specification
- Number of previous owners
- Mileage
- Tax and NCT history
CPG information is available to review after purchasing a Cartell car history check so if you want to get a good idea of the market value before trade-in then get a Cartell car history check now and the full report including the CPG data will be available instantly in your browser while a copy will also be sent to your email that you can print off if needed.
The CPG provides a current valuation as well as a one and three year future valuation for a given registration. It also displays sample adverts currently for sale, and is linked to Carzone.ie, CarsIreland.ie and Autotrader for real time comparisons. Only Cartell.ie has permission to use these adverts for your benefit.
While trade in values for cars won’t normally equate with the price you will get when selling privately it is recommended that motorists have a good idea (backed by solid data) of what their vehicle is worth. Get Ireland’s most trusted and accurate valuation on any car or vehicle used by automotive professionals as well as the insurance industry and financial institutions across Ireland – Cartell’s CPG.