Getting the Best Trade-In Price for Your Car

Trading in your car is convenient, but most people leave money on the table. Here's how to get the best possible price—whether you're trading at a dealership or selling through a broker like us.

Why Trade-In Values Vary So Much

You might get quotes ranging from $12,000 to $18,000 for the exact same car. Why?

Dealer factors:

How badly they want to sell you the new car
Whether your car fits their used inventory
Time of month/quarter (sales targets)
Current market conditions

Your car factors:

Presentation and cleanliness
Service history documentation
Mechanical condition
Market demand for your model

You can't control dealer factors, but you absolutely can maximise your car factors.

Step 1: Deep Clean Your Car

Never underestimate first impressions. A clean car signals "well-cared-for."

Exterior:

Professional wash and polish (or do it yourself properly)
Clean wheels and tyres (tyre shine makes a difference)
Touch up obvious stone chips
Clean headlights if hazy
Remove bumper stickers

Interior:

Vacuum everything, including boot and under seats
Wipe down all surfaces
Clean windows inside and out
Shampoo seats if stained
Remove personal items and rubbish
Eliminate odours (no air fresheners trying to hide smells)

Engine bay:

Wipe down visible surfaces
Check for obvious leaks
A clean engine bay suggests regular maintenance

Cost: DIY ~$50 in products, professional detail $150-$300 Return: Often $500-$2,000 more on trade-in

Step 2: Gather Your Paperwork

Complete documentation = higher value. Gather:

Full service history (dealer or mechanic receipts)
Owner's manual and spare key (if available)
Registration papers
Warranty documents (if still valid)
Receipts for recent work (tyres, brakes, etc.)

Missing service history? Contact previous servicing dealers—they often keep digital records and can print history.

Step 3: Fix the Cheap Stuff

Small issues that cost little to fix but hurt trade-in value:

Issue	Fix Cost	Value Lost if Not Fixed
Blown bulbs	$10-$30	$100-$200
Worn wiper blades	$30-$50	$50-$100
Missing wheel trims	$50-$150	$200-$400
Cracked taillights	$50-$200	$200-$500
Minor dents	$80-$150 (PDR)	$300-$600
Low tyre tread	NA (negotiate)	$400-$800

Don't fix:

Major mechanical issues (cost more than value added)
Cosmetic damage that needs panel replacement
Anything requiring specialist work

Rule of thumb: If it costs more than half the potential value increase, don't bother.

Step 4: Know Your Car's Market Value

Before getting quotes, research what your car is actually worth:

Check:

Carsales.com.au (filter by model, year, km, location)
Facebook Marketplace
RedBook.com.au
CarsGuide.com.au

Note:

Asking prices are not selling prices—discount 5-10%
Private sale prices are higher than trade-in
Trade-in is typically 10-20% below private sale

Armed with data, you can negotiate confidently.

Step 5: Get Multiple Quotes

Never accept the first offer. Get at least 3 trade-in quotes:

The dealership where you're buying
Other brand dealerships
Used car dealers
Car buying services (CarSales Instant Offer, etc.)
Independent brokers (like us!)

Tell each one: "I'm getting multiple valuations before deciding."

This creates competition and often increases offers.

Step 6: Timing Matters

Best times to trade:

End of month (dealers chasing targets)
End of financial year (June)
When your model is in demand (check what's selling)
Before major service milestones (trade at 95,000km, not 105,000km)

Worst times:

After new model release (old model loses value)
When fuel prices spike (V8s and large SUVs suffer)
Immediately after registration renewal (you just paid for rego they won't use)

Step 7: Negotiate Separately

Critical tip: Negotiate the trade-in value SEPARATELY from the new car price.

Dealers often inflate the trade-in offer but inflate the new car price to compensate. You feel good about the trade value but overpay overall.

The right approach:

Negotiate the new car price FIRST (pretend you're paying cash)
THEN discuss trade-in value
Add them together to see the real deal

Trade-In vs Private Sale vs Broker

Method	Pros	Cons
Trade-in	Convenient, instant, simple	Lowest price (10-20% less)
Private sale	Highest price potential	Time, hassle, risk, strangers
Broker (us)	Higher than trade-in, hassle-free	Takes a bit longer than trade-in

Our recommendation: If your car is worth under $8,000, trade-in convenience often wins. Over $8,000? The extra $1,000-$3,000 from private sale or broker is worth it.

What Dealers Check (And You Should Too)

Before trading, dealers will check:

PPSR (finance owing, write-off status)
Service records verification
Damage history
Previous ownership count
Market demand

Surprises kill deals. Know your car's history before they check.

The Walk-Away Test

Here's a powerful negotiation tool:

After getting a trade-in offer, say: "Thanks for the quote. I'm going to get a few more valuations before deciding. I'll be in touch."

Two outcomes:

They let you leave → Their offer was fair (for them)
They increase the offer → There was room to move

Either way, you win by not accepting the first number.

How We Help at SEQ Car Brokers

We offer a consignment/selling service that typically gets you:

More than trade-in: Because we access retail buyers, not just wholesale market
Less hassle than private sale: We handle photos, listings, enquiries, inspections
No strangers at your house: We manage viewings and negotiations
Faster than you'd expect: Good cars sell quickly in SEQ

Thinking about selling? Get a free valuation from us before accepting any trade-in offer. You might be surprised at the difference.

Quick Checklist Before Trade-In

Car detailed inside and out
All paperwork organised
Cheap fixes completed
Market value researched
At least 3 quotes obtained
PPSR check done
Separate negotiation strategy
Ready to walk away if needed

Get this right and you could be looking at thousands extra. Worth the effort, right?

How to Maximise Your Trade-In Value in Queensland