Before you head off to your local car dealership with your trade-in the most important thing that you need to take with you is a realistic asking price for your motor. Remember that car dealerships are in business for only one reason and that is to make a profit from its customers. If you have got no idea what your trade-in is really worth then in all likelihood you will be offered at least 10% less than your car's true value.

So How Much Is My Used Car Worth?
It is important to spend some time looking through used car valuation guides and then to adjust the value of your vehicle for mileage. However, at the end of the day your used car is only worth as much as a used car dealer is prepared to pay for it. It is therefore up to you to try to get as much money from the used car dealer as possible.

Get More Than One Valuation
Don't take the word of just one used car dealer. You might be surprised to see how the value of your used car can vary between different dealerships. Whatever the value offered by a dealer you should aim to get at least 10% more than the best price you have been offered.

What Factors Affect Trade-in Value?
Generally for a used car that is less than eight years old the most important factors that affect trade-in value are: i) service history, ii) mileage and, iii) condition of the bodywork. For cars that are older than this then a good overall condition will help to obtain a better trade-in value. Prestigious used cars might have widely varying trade-in values depending the options that the car has been fitted with. For example a Jaguar with a manual gearbox might not be so easy to trade in for a fair price as used Jaguar buyers generally demand an auto box. Also, the colour of the car can have a serious impact on trade-in value. White prestigious cars may often be associated with weddings and will have a lower trade-in value.

What Can I Do To Get More Money For My Trade-in?
The most cost effective way of getting a better trade-in value is to present your used car well. Simply giving both the exterior and interior a good clean helps to give the impression that the car has been well looked after. If you travel with pets in your car then be sure to remove any scents from the vehicle. Cars that smell may be devalued by much more than 10%. If you are trading in an expensive/prestigious vehicle then the condition of the tires and or alloy wheels can have a significant impact on the trade-in value. Kerbed alloy wheels and/or unevenly worn tires can be an indication that wheel alignment has been knocked out, or worse, that damage to the steering system has been caused. It might prove cost effective to refurbish any kerbed alloy wheels and to replace any unevenly worn or mismatched tires.

What Tricks Might A Used Car Dealer Try?
Remember that the dealer's objective is to obtain your trade-in at a minimum cost and maximum profit to the dealership. One way of closing you down on haggling is to offer you a trade-in valuation from a so-called independent source. The dealer's routine might go along the lines of: "I'll just go and telephone three traders and get a valuation for you". When the dealer gets back he will give you a minimum trade-in value (e.g. 3400) and a maximum trade-in value (e.g. 3600). In all likelihood the dealer hasn't telephoned anyone and has just looked up what your car is really worth using a trade pricing book and then knocked 15% off the value. When this happens you should try to add at least 10% onto the maximum value quoted by the dealer.

Selling On To The Trade - What is That?
If the car you are trading in is more than five years old the dealer may try to undervalue your car by indicating that it will have to sold on to another trader, the implication being that it is not of sufficient quality to sell on their own forecourt. This may be true, but the fact remains that the dealer can still make as much money (if not more) from your trade-in as he can make from selling you a new car.

Handling Negative Pricing Points
Usually a dealer will start off by making good minor comments about the condition of your trade-in. "I can see that you have really looked after your car, it's got a good clean body". However, you can be sure that the next comment will go something like this: "Unfortunately the vehicle is not very fuel efficient, and as such would not be so easy to sell on". When this happens you need to point out any desirable features about the car such as air conditioning, alloy wheels, or its having a full service history. This should help to put the pressure back onto the dealer.