Gerald Jones Honda

What determines the trade-in value of a used car?

Trade-in value is the price you can expect to be offered by the dealer if your trading your vehicle in on a new or used vehicle that your considering purchasing.

Things that are considered when a appraiser looks at your trade in :

Reconditioning cost:

Does it need paint or body work? dings,dents,scratches,cracked windshields etc.

Is there excessive wear and tear on the interior? tears,cigerette burns,bad smells,missing trim,stained carpet etc.

Is there any lights on in the dash? engine light,service engine light,abs light,airbag lights etc.

Do all the windows,locks,cruise,turn signals,radio work?

How does the vehicle drive? Any shaking or noises while driving or braking?

Does it need tires or brakes?

Does it show moderate, severe or extensive accidents on the carfax?

After all of that, the vehicle is crossed referenced with what similiar (make & model) cars are selling for at the auto auctions in your region. ex: southeast region

With all this information and details of the used car trade in considered is where the trade in value comes from.  

These are just a few things a dealers used car appraiser looks at before they give a trade in value on any used car.