How to Determine the Trade in Value of a Car on Edmunds

It’s not always easy to figure out what you are car’s trade-in value is. Edmunds provides a tool that can give you specific information tailored for your car. Armed with the trade-in value for your specific car you stand a better chance of getting a higher trade-in rate than if you walk into a dealership and accept their numbers. Here’s how to find the trade-in value of your car using Edmunds.

1. Visit the Edmunds website. Access the used cars page. You can get to it by clicking the “Used Cars” link at the top of the home page.
2. Look for the trade in section of the page. Once you see it click on the “Determine the value” link.
3. Find your cars make and year. Edmunds lists the links for each car’s make in alphabetical order. After you click on the link for the make, select the year, model and style.
4. Add additional information. At this point, Edmunds will provide a vehicle trade in value based on the information you’ve given them so far. This trade-in value while accurate may not be accurate for your particular car. To get information tailored for your car, you have to tell Edmunds a lot more about your vehicle.
5. Insert the car color, mileage and additional optional features. The more features your car has, the better.
6. Choose your car’s condition. The trade-in value will vary depending on the information you enter here. A car in outstanding condition is obviously going to have a higher trade-in value than one in poor condition. Be honest however when selecting your condition. Let’s face it, they’re going to give your car the once over at the dealership, so entering “Outstanding” when your car is actually in “Rough” shape will only come back to bite you in the end.
7. Confirm your ZIP code and click the “Get Pricing Report” button.

Tips & Warnings

Play the game. Don’t show the dealership the report when you first begin negotiating the trade in value. Let him show his cards first. 

Filed in: Autos