Car Trade Values: What Dealers Only Know

So, the time has come for you to trade in your car, truck or SUV for another. You are proactive and look up expected trade-in values, but you will not get exactly what those online car pricing sources suggest when you arrive at the dealership.

It is true that they will very well offer you more if you put your firm foot down, but often to the detriment of the price of the new vehicle you are buying. Many dealers make up for that additional trade allowance by embedding the price difference in the financing or by selling you packages that you do not need. Take note that is in no way meant to bash all you hardworking car sales folks!

Because dealers populate their used inventory by buying from auctions, they rely on a source called Black Book, which has a better value estimation as the figures are updated according to real-time auction statistics. This pricing guide is not available to the general public, but by being informed about the innerworkings of the industry, you will be better prepared to understand the value of your trade.