Selling & Trade-In

A trade-in is the quickest way to move on from your current car, but the number you are offered is not fixed. A few hours of preparation and the right paperwork often make a meaningful difference.

Get the paperwork together first

This is the single highest-value thing you can do, and it costs nothing. Have ready:

  • The service logbook, with stamps
  • Receipts for any major work — new tyres, timing belt, clutch, battery
  • Both sets of keys
  • The owner’s manual and any accessories that came with the car

A documented service history genuinely changes what a car is worth, because it removes guesswork about how it has been treated. A missing second key, by contrast, quietly costs you — replacing a modern key can run into several hundred dollars, and that comes off the offer.

Clean it properly

Presentation affects perception more than people expect. A thorough clean inside and out, personal items removed, is worth the couple of hours it takes. A professional detail can be worthwhile on a higher-value car, but on most trade-ins a careful wash, vacuum and interior wipe-down gets you most of the benefit.

Fix the small things, not the big ones

Cheap fixes that remove obvious faults are usually worth doing — a blown globe, low fluids, a wiper blade that smears, a warning light triggered by something minor.

Major mechanical or panel work is a different matter. You will rarely recover what you spend. A dealer repairs at trade cost; you would be paying retail. If a car needs significant work, it is almost always better to disclose it and let it be reflected in the price than to spend money trying to hide it.

Know roughly what it is worth

Spend fifteen minutes looking at what comparable cars are actually listed for — same model, similar year, similar kilometres. Be honest in the comparison, particularly about condition and kilometres.

Bear in mind that a trade-in will not match a private sale price. The gap reflects real costs: the dealer takes on reconditioning, roadworthy, statutory warranty obligations and the risk of holding the car until it sells.

Trade-in or private sale?

Trading in is faster, involves no strangers at your home, no advertising, and the value comes straight off the price of your next car. Selling privately usually returns more, but takes longer and puts the paperwork, safety checks and buyer questions on you.

For many people the convenience and the speed are worth the difference. For others they are not. It is worth being clear about which you value before you start.

Be straight about the car

Any issue you know about will be found during appraisal. Mentioning it up front costs you nothing and makes the whole conversation more straightforward.

Get a valuation from us

We buy vehicles outright as well as taking trade-ins, so you are welcome to get a number from us even if you are not buying from us. Request a valuation or talk to our team.