6 Pitfalls to Avoid When Trading in Your Used Pickup Truck

It’s time to purchase a “new” used truck, and you’re thinking about the trade-in value you could get on your current truck. Before you send your vehicle off to its next home, there are some things you need to know before trading in your used pickup truck.

Over the years, our customers have always appreciated the information we provide. We believe that knowing all the facts makes for a better customer experience.

Here are 6 common mistakes to avoid when trading in your used pickup truck:

1. Overestimating or underestimating your vehicle’s value.

Trading in your used pickup truck can be challenging and not being realistic about its value will make things more difficult.

Be honest with yourself about your vehicle’s trade-in condition. The more forthright you are when using online appraisal tools like Edmunds.com or kbb.com, the better off you’ll be when it comes time to trade it in. Very often, people come into the dealership with an overly-optimistic idea of what their car is worth, only to find that their expectations weren’t realistic.

2. Bringing in a dirty truck.

Dealers like to see a clean vehicle. It says that you care about your used truck and its value.

Before trading in your used pickup truck, always make sure that your car looks clean and smells as clean as possible. Doing this often increases the value of your trade in.

3. Over-fixing your truck.

Dealerships tend to agree that your best option is to not concern yourself with making major fixes to your trade in. If it’s something as simple as touching up a little scratch or popping out a small dent, these are the kinds of fixes that are recommended.

Anything larger scale would not be worth your investment because the dealership will be able to repair issues for much less than you would be asked to pay at a shop.

4. Forgetting important documents.

Bring all vehicle paperwork with you. Here’s a handy list…

• Certificate of title (if you don’t have it, the DMV can tell you how to get it replaced). Note: if you have an outstanding loan on the vehicle, this will not apply since the bank has your certificate of title.
• Current registration.
• All your keys and the owner’s manual.
• If you still have an open loan, you’ll need to bring your account number or a payment stub.
• Maintenance records. These help support your claims about whatever prior damage your truck has had and the repairs it has undergone.

5. Not having all your truck’s accessories.

Trading in your used pickup truck means you are trading in everything that goes along with it. Make sure the original owner’s manual and any extra keys are in the vehicle when you arrive at the dealership. Dealers like used trucks that still have all the accessories and may even give you a better deal on your trade when everything is there.

6. Not knowing your vehicle’s history.

Being familiar with your vehicle’s history will help during your trade-in negotiations. Be “upfront” with the dealer, especially on any major problems that you know of, even if those problems were caused by the previous owner.

In Summary…

Avoiding the major pitfalls when trading in your used pickup truck can often save you money. Getting the best price for your trade in allows you more purchase power on the “new” used pickup truck you intend to buy.

We suggest going somewhere to get an honest and trusted opinion on your vehicle. At Dye Autos, we’ve been selling great used trucks in Denver for many years and we’d love the chance to help you. Give us a call at (303) 286-1665 or simply fill out our online form >>here<<. We’ll be in touch!