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Car Buying and Financing FAQ

How Does a Trade-In Work When Buying a Car?

How Does a Trade-In Work When Buying a Car?

Trading in your current car can help lower the cost of your next vehicle purchase by applying its value toward your down payment. The process is simple:

  1. Get Your Trade-In Value – The dealership or an online valuation tool will assess your car’s market value based on factors like make, model, condition, and mileage.

  2. Receive an Offer – Once evaluated, the dealer will provide an offer, which you can accept, negotiate, or decline.

  3. Apply the Trade-In Value – If you accept the offer, the trade-in amount is deducted from the price of your new car, reducing the amount you need to finance.

  4. Settle Any Loan Balance – If you still owe money on your current car, the dealership may pay off the remaining balance. However, if your car’s trade-in value is less than what you owe (negative equity), you may need to pay the difference or roll it into your new loan.

Benefits of Trading In:

βœ” Convenience – The dealer handles the paperwork, saving you time.

βœ” Tax Savings – In some states, you only pay sales tax on the price of the new car after subtracting the trade-in value.

βœ” Lower Monthly Payments – A higher trade-in value reduces the amount you need to finance.

Want to see how much your car is worth? Get an instant trade-in estimate at Auto Bandit today!