{"id":241235,"date":"2023-10-09T11:49:20","date_gmt":"2023-10-09T11:49:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/?p=241235"},"modified":"2023-10-09T11:49:20","modified_gmt":"2023-10-09T11:49:20","slug":"part-exchange-how-to-get-the-most-money-for-your-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/car-reviews\/part-exchange-how-to-get-the-most-money-for-your-car\/","title":{"rendered":"Part exchange: how to get the most money for your car"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Is it best to part exchange your car? Our handy guide will tell you how to get the most cash for your car<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/media.autoexpress.co.uk\/image\/private\/s--NSMTT_gs--\/f_auto,t_primary-image-mobile@1\/v1562247360\/autoexpress\/2019\/02\/istock-695062156-1.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re on the lookout\u00a0for a new\u00a0car to buy, there&#x27;s a good chance\u00a0you\u2019ve got an old motor to sell.<\/p>\n<p>Just as there are a number of ways to buy a new car, so there are various options for shifting the one it\u2019s replacing. Should you part-exchange at the dealer, use a car-buying company, or sell it privately through the classifieds?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/media.autoexpress.co.uk\/image\/private\/s---EiPO3wx--\/f_auto,t_related-embed-mobile@1\/v1646220540\/autoexpress\/2022\/03\/Best%20new%20car%20deals%20%2722%20header_qmjuvs.jpg\">Best new car deals 2023<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Whichever of these routes you take, there is one golden rule that should help you maximise the amount of money you get for your old car: preparation is key.<\/p>\n<p>Our guide to dealing with your outgoing vehicle looks at the selling options available and advises you of the steps you can take to make it more appealing to potential buyers.<\/p>\n<h2>Trade versus private<\/h2>\n<p>This is the first decision most people will have to make when getting rid of their old car: should you sell it privately, or to a business?<\/p>\n<p>The advantages and disadvantages of each route are fairly well known, but can roughly be distilled as follows:<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Selling privately is more work and carries a greater number of potential pitfalls, but offers the best chance of maximising the amount you will get for your car.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Selling it to the trade will typically bring in less cash, but carries fewer risks and is less hassle.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>Trade routes\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/h2>\n<p><strong>1. Trade in with your new car\u2019s dealer<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This is the most convenient route because it allows you to arrive at the dealer in your old car and leave in your new one, without having to make any logistical arrangements.<\/p>\n<p>The dealer will want to shift your old car on as quickly and as profitably as possible. It will either sell it on its forecourt to a private buyer, sell it directly to another garage or send it straight to auction. Either way, the dealer will offer the lowest price it can because it will want to turn a profit on the car \u2013 profit that could fund discounts elsewhere in the deal.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2. Use a car-buying company<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Another option is a car-buying website. A number of these firms exist and many promise to beat any part-exchange valuation, without adding much more inconvenience.<\/p>\n<p>The typical process is to enter your car\u2019s registration number into the company\u2019s website, detail its condition, then head to a sales location to finalise the deal in person.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Your car\u2019s condition is key to the price you\u2019ll get. Say it\u2019s in excellent condition when it\u2019s got parking dings, and expect to be offered less money than you were online. Some firms may use minor issues to reduce the actual amount they will pay. While you don\u2019t have to accept these offers, if you need to fund your next car, you may end up with little choice.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3. Selling privately<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Unless you are able to find a friend, relative or colleague to buy your old car from you, you\u2019ll have to advertise it either online or in a local\u00a0newspaper,\u00a0or put it in an online auction.<\/p>\n<p>The last method allows you to set a reserve price, and a bidding war can push the price of your vehicle up very quickly. The catch is that the site will take a cut of the sale price in commission for its own profits, and there\u2019s no guarantee your car will attract bidders.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/media.autoexpress.co.uk\/image\/private\/s--EKFBSJJP--\/f_auto,t_content-image-mobile@1\/v1562247359\/autoexpress\/2019\/02\/istock-1043849504.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>If the idea of an auction doesn\u2019t appeal to you, there are numerous online classified sites out there, although Auto Trader dominates the market.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/media.autoexpress.co.uk\/image\/private\/s--2ndlamRb--\/v1683626472\/assets\/partners\/powered-by-motorway_150x70.png\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/media.autoexpress.co.uk\/image\/private\/s--0CemICA_--\/f_auto,t_related-embed-mobile@1\/v1563183348\/autoexpress\/2017\/09\/1_19.jpg\">Best car cleaning tips: the secrets to a perfect finish<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Aesthetic preparation<\/h2>\n<p>The first thing to do is remove any traces of your life from the car. Buyers want to think of a potential new purchase as \u2018theirs\u2019 and if your child seats, old petrol station receipts, and travel sweets are still littering the interior, they will struggle to see it as anything other than yours.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/media.autoexpress.co.uk\/image\/private\/s--76_BtBbK--\/f_auto,t_content-image-mobile@1\/v1562254244\/autoexpress\/images\/car_photo_510148.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>Clean your car thoroughly, inside and out. Either do this yourself or employ the help of a professional valeter. A good valeter with the right equipment will be able to polish out minor scratches and paint imperfections, too.<\/p>\n<p>After your car has been valeted, you may wish to invest in a cover to protect the exterior from the elements.<\/p>\n<h2>Mechanical preparation<\/h2>\n<p>If you are to get the best price for your car, it must be in full working order. Check online to see if it has any outstanding recalls (gov.uk\/check-vehicle-recall), and get these dealt with if any have slipped through the net.<\/p>\n<p>Ensure all the gauges, lights and other features are in working order, and inspect the tyres and windscreen wipers for wear and damage, replacing or repainting them if needed. Check you\u2019ve got the right amount of oil, coolant and brake or power-steering fluid, and fill the screenwash reservoir.<\/p>\n<p>If your car will soon be due for a service or MoT, consider booking it into the garage. Make sure you\u2019ve got all your service history paperwork in order.<\/p>\n<h2>Don\u2019t forget your pictures<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/media.autoexpress.co.uk\/image\/private\/s--bTv8MuUd--\/f_auto,t_content-image-mobile@1\/v1579702897\/autoexpress\/2019\/02\/selling-cars-180.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>Pictures are just as important as words when selling a car; photograph your old motor like a pro and not only will your advert stand out, but buyers will also know that you care about what you\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve cleaned your car inside and out, get it into position. Avoid overhanging trees, overhead wires or buildings that will cause awkward shadows. Open spaces with plenty of sunlight are ideal for the exterior and let light through the windows, which is of benefit when shooting the interior.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/media.autoexpress.co.uk\/image\/private\/s--w1hzAwTC--\/f_auto,t_related-embed-mobile@1\/v1562243855\/autoexpress\/2016\/12\/selling-cars-107.jpg\">Car photography: how to take great pics of your car<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Take pictures from three-quarter angles instead of head-on, and ensure you don\u2019t shoot into the sun; the glare will bleach out the details that you want.<\/p>\n<p>A smartphone camera will do the job but, if you want to go the extra mile with your photos, use a proper digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>How much is your car worth? Find out with our free car valuation tool&#8230;<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autoexpress.co.uk\/car-news\/105941\/part-exchange-how-to-get-the-most-money-for-your-car\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Is it best to part exchange your car? Our handy guide will tell you how to get the most cash<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":241234,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Part exchange: how to get the most money for your car - AutoMotoBuzz.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/car-reviews\/part-exchange-how-to-get-the-most-money-for-your-car\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Part exchange: how to get the most money for your car - AutoMotoBuzz.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Is it best to part exchange your car? 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