Trading in your current car is the simplest way to put its value toward your next one — no private buyers, no waiting around for a sale. A little preparation makes the process smoother and helps you get a fair valuation.
1. Get your paperwork together
- Your ID, and the vehicle's registration papers as proof of ownership.
- If the car is still under finance, a settlement letter from your bank showing the outstanding balance. The dealership settles it as part of the deal.
- Your full service history, both sets of keys, and the owner's manual if you have them.
2. Know what affects the value
Dealerships typically look at the car's age, mileage, overall condition, service history, and how in-demand that model is. You can't change the first two, but you can influence the rest.
3. Prepare the car — without overspending
A thorough clean, inside and out, costs little and makes a real difference to first impressions. Fix small, cheap things like a blown bulb. Be more careful about paying for larger repairs before a trade-in — ask the dealership first whether it will actually change their offer.
4. Be upfront about condition
Mention dents, warning lights or known issues. The dealership will inspect the car anyway, so being open avoids surprises and keeps the valuation honest.
5. Look at the whole deal, not just the trade-in figure
A generous trade-in value can be offset by a higher price on the car you're buying. Compare the total: the price of the new car, minus your trade-in value, plus any fees. That's the number that matters.
How MotorMatch fits in
Tell us about your trade-in when you send your request — make, model, year and mileage — and we flag it to dealerships from the start, so the offers you get back already account for it. The dealership inspects and values your car; we don't own or inspect vehicles ourselves.
Find My Car →This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. See our trade-in page for how trade-ins work with MotorMatch.