10/03/2017
1. I WANT TO SELL MY CAR. WHAT IS MY CAR WORTH?
Many owners overestimate the condition and value of their car, so it's smart to do a little research. There are quite a few online resources that can provide you with general guidance and help you estimate how much you can get for your car.
Trained appraisers take into account the following factors when evaluating your car and determining your offer:
Mileage
Condition
Accident history
How well it's been maintained, inside and out
2. WON'T I GET MORE MONEY FOR MY CAR IF I SELL IT MYSELF?
There are pros and cons to selling your car yourself. Going through Craigslist or similar websites may get you more money for your car. But for many people, the amount of time it takes and the uncertainties of dealing with strangers make it simply not worth the hassle.
Many of our customers come to our lot for an appraisal as a starting point. "One reason our appraisal offers are good for seven days is that we know our customers may want to 'shop around' and compare other offers to ours," says Greg. "And that's okay!"
3. WHAT CAN I DO TO INCREASE HOW MUCH I CAN GET FOR MY CAR?
Getting last-minute maintenance or a thorough cosmetic detailing may help your car make a positive first impression on potential private buyers. To our appraisal team, however, the long-term maintenance and care of your car is what's most important in determining our appraisal offer.
Another key factor is your car's mileage. "Keeping the miles low on any car is a great way to minimize depreciation impact over time," says Kieth.
What about after-market modifications and accessories - like a spoiler or a unique paint color? While these upgrades might make your car more distinctive, they may also limit your car's market appeal. However, certain upgrade packages that include options like leather seats and a Bluetooth connection may be beneficial when you're ready to sell.
REMEMBER:
One key difference about private appraisal offer is the same whether you buy a car from us or not. That's not always the case at a dealership.
You may be familiar with "flexible" trade-in values that are standard practice for many dealerships. If you got a generous price for your old car, it may mean you paid too much for your new car.