How to Trade in Your Car at a Buy Here Pay Here Car Lot

A Guide to Using the Value of Your Current Vehicle to Save on Your New One

There comes a point during car ownership when you realize your current ride is not working out anymore:

  • Your family has grown, and you need more seats for your kids.

  • Your car needs more repairs than you’re willing to pay for,

  • It's time for an upgrade to better technology, such as Bluetooth stereos or safety features.

  • You’re looking to spend less on gas.

  • And many other situations.

If you’re experiencing any of these, then it’s likely time to trade in your car for something that better suits your needs. Follow these steps and learn more about the buy here pay here trade in process and how it could help you.

Take Good Care of Your Car While You Own It

Protect the value of your vehicle by taking proper care of it during the course of ownership. This includes performing regular maintenance tasks, such as oil changes, and making repairs when necessary.

A well cared for vehicle in good condition is always worth more than one that is damaged or broken. In some cases, maintenance and repairs will show up on your vehicle’s history report. A proven history of care also protects your car’s value.

Clean Up Your Used Car to Trade In

Before you trade in your car, give it a thorough cleaning. This includes removing any of your possessions from the trunk, glove box, and other storage compartments, throwing away any trash, and perhaps vacuuming out the interior.

By removing dirt, pet hair, and other debris, the car lot team member examining your vehicle can better see its quality. A filthy car also requires more reconditioning, which could lower the perceived value.

Check Your Car’s Value Online

The next step on your path to trade-in is to do your own research to get an idea of what your vehicle may be worth. You can use various online car valuation tools, such as Kelley Blue Book. These tools can give you a very rough estimate of what you can expect to get for your vehicle.

Keep in mind, though, that these tools are not always completely accurate. Your location, true vehicle condition, and odometer reading will create variation in value.

Generally, you’ll get more money out of your vehicle if you sell it independently, but you’ll also be responsible for advertising, scheduling test drives, transferring ownership, filing paperwork, ensuring the payment isn’t counterfeit, and more. It’s less stressful to simply trade in your used car at a used car lot or dealership. It also saves you a lot of time.

Trade In Your Car at a Buy Here Pay Here Car Lot

If you need a nicer, newer vehicle, but you have a checkered credit history, your best bet is likely a buy here pay here trade in, in which you swap your current vehicle for one at a buy here pay here dealer.

By trading in this way, you don’t have to worry about credit checks and loan approvals. Based on your income, you’ll be eligible for in-house financing on one of the many vehicles available for sale.

Use Your Trade-In Value as a Down Payment

When you trade in at a car lot or dealership, you can put the value of your current vehicle toward the purchase price of your newer one.

For example, if you receive a $1,000 trade-in offer for your car, the salesperson will take $1,000 off the purchase price of the newer one. This can be considered part of your down payment toward your vehicle. Generally, the larger the down payment, the smaller your loan balance, and the cheaper your monthly payments will be.

Documents for Buy Here Pay Here Trade-In in Indiana

Most buy here pay here car lots don’t require an appointment for test drives, purchases, and trades, which means you can stop by any time during business hours.

Remember to bring along documents, including your current driver’s license, a copy of your most recent pay stubs, and a bill with your name and address on it. If you’re trading in a vehicle, bring its title and registration, too. Your salesperson and the financing team will need to review all of these to determine whether you qualify for in-house financing and the value of your trade.

Need help? Contact a buy here pay here dealership in Indiana for more details on their specific trade-in process.