Trading in your car? Most people leave money on the table. Here's how to get the maximum value—whether you're trading at a dealer or selling through us.
The Reality of Trade-Ins
Let's be honest: trade-in will almost always be less than private sale value. But the gap doesn't have to be as big as dealers want you to think.
Typical scenario:
- Private sale value: $35,000
- Trade-in offer: $28,000-$30,000
- Potential with preparation: $31,000-$33,000
That $3,000-$5,000 difference? It's worth an afternoon of effort.
What Dealers Actually Look At
The First Impression (30 Seconds)
Dealers make snap judgments. In the first 30 seconds, they assess:
- Overall cleanliness
- Obvious damage
- General condition
- How well it's been cared for
A clean car = perceived value. It's that simple.
The Detailed Assessment
Next, they check:
- Service history - Complete records add value
- Mechanical condition - Any obvious issues?
- Tyres and brakes - Life left?
- Interior condition - Wear and tear, smells
- Body condition - Dents, scratches, rust
- Options and features - What's fitted?
- Market demand - How easily can they resell?
Pre-Trade-In Checklist
1. Clean It Properly
Exterior:
- Wash thoroughly (or professional detail: $100-$300)
- Polish if needed (removes light scratches)
- Clean wheels and wheel wells
- Dress tyres
- Clean windows inside and out
Interior:
- Vacuum everything (including under seats)
- Wipe all surfaces
- Clean floor mats
- Remove all personal items
- Clean cup holders and storage areas
Engine bay:
- Remove leaves and debris
- Quick wipe of visible surfaces
- Don't pressure wash—dealers know this trick
Worth it? A $150 detail can add $500-$1,000 to perceived value.
2. Fix Minor Issues
Do fix:
- Burnt-out globes ($10-$30)
- Worn wiper blades ($20-$50)
- Stone chips (touch-up paint: $15)
- Small dents (paintless dent removal: $50-$150/panel)
- Minor scratches (polish or touch-up)
- Faded headlights (restoration kit: $30)
- Missing wheel nuts/caps
Don't fix:
- Major mechanical issues (dealers factor this in)
- Significant body damage (cost won't be recovered)
- Worn tyres (unless selling privately)
3. Gather Your Paperwork
Have ready:
- Service history/logbook
- Registration papers
- Spare keys (worth money!)
- Owner's manual
- Any warranty documents
Missing service history? Get a report from the dealer who serviced it.
Lost spare key? This can reduce value by $300-$500+ for modern cars. Worth getting cut if you have time.
4. Know Your Car's Value
Before walking into a dealer:
- Check Carsales for similar vehicles
- Look at RedBook valuation
- Check what others are asking (and selling for)
- Know your car's strengths and weaknesses
Go in informed, not hopeful.
Negotiating the Trade-In
The Right Approach
1. Separate the transactions
Negotiate the new car price FIRST. Then discuss trade-in. Bundling them lets dealers hide poor trade-in values.
2. Get multiple offers
Visit 2-3 dealers. Use the best offer as leverage.
3. Present your car properly
When they inspect:
- Point out recent maintenance
- Show service history
- Mention replaced items (tyres, battery)
- Be honest about any issues (they'll find them anyway)
What to Say
✅ "I've maintained it well—here's the full service history."
✅ "I just had the timing belt done at 180,000 km." (If true)
✅ "The tyres have 15,000 km left on them."
✅ "I've seen similar cars advertised for $X. How close can you get?"
❌ "Just give me whatever you think it's worth."
❌ "I need to sell it today."
❌ "I don't know what it's worth."
When Trade-In Isn't Worth It
Consider selling privately (or through us) if:
- Your car is in high demand (HiLux, Ranger, Prado)
- It's well-maintained with full history
- You're not in a hurry
- The gap between trade and private value is large ($5,000+)
Trade-in is fine if:
- You want convenience above all else
- Your car is hard to sell (unusual, high km, not popular)
- The tax benefit matters (check current rules)
- Time is genuinely worth more than money to you
The CQ Car Brokers Alternative
We offer a middle ground:
Our consignment service:
- We value your car honestly
- We handle the sale (marketing, enquiries, showings)
- You get near-private-sale prices
- We take a small commission
Typical result:
- Trade-in offer: $40,000
- Private sale with hassle: $47,000
- Through us (net after commission): $44,000-$45,000
More money, none of the hassle.
Quick Wins Checklist
30 minutes before your trade-in appointment:
- Remove all personal items
- Quick vacuum
- Wipe dashboard and surfaces
- Clean windows
- Check all lights work
- Remove rubbish
Day before:
- Wash exterior
- Gather paperwork
- Find spare keys
- Note recent maintenance to mention
Week before:
- Fix any burnt globes
- Replace worn wipers
- Touch up obvious stone chips
- Get service history from dealer if needed
Get a Real Valuation
Not sure what your car is worth? We'll give you an honest assessment—what you'd get trading in, what you'd get privately, and what we could achieve for you.
Request your free valuation and make an informed decision.
