Trade-in value - Beat a trade-in valuation with webuyanycar
With webuyanycar, you could beat the trade-in value of your car by selling directly to us and still benefit from the convenience and simplicity of a trade-in.
What is trade-in value?
Your car's ‘trade-in value’ is the amount that a dealership offers you to put towards a new vehicle when you part exchange it. This means that you can trade in your old motor and walk away with a new car in the same transaction.
Whilst it can seem convenient, trading in your old car can also be complicated, as there are multiple transactions involved.
This can make it difficult to establish whether you’re getting a good deal (and you may be able to get a better price by selling to webuyanycar).
How trading in a car works
When you choose to trade in your car at a dealership, the price you agreed on beforehand is subtracted from the price of the car you are purchasing. If you have outstanding finance payments, the dealer can take over the debt and pay off the loan, if it makes financial sense for them to do so.
When you trade in your car, it is important that you get a good deal on your current vehicle and the new one you’re purchasing. Therefore, you should also consider the structure of the finance agreement and how much you would have to pay over the entire contract - not just the monthly payments.
Is trading in your car worth it?
Trading in your car with a view to purchasing a new vehicle might initially seem like the best course of action, especially if you want to get rid of your old motor quickly.
However, by taking this avenue, you may be offered a lot less for your old car than what it’s actually worth.
Although trading in your car at a dealership can help to bring down the cost of a newer model, you may be able to raise more cash by selling your car elsewhere, then using that money as a down payment on the new car.
With webuyanycar, you could beat the trade-in value of your car by selling directly to us, whilst still benefiting from the convenience and simplicity of a trade in.
Can you trade in a car if you still owe money on it?
It is usually possible to sell a car that you still owe money on. However, the process to follow will depend on which car finance option you utilised when purchasing the vehicle:
Trading in a car bought on a HP or PCP plan
If you purchased the car through a HP (Hire Purchase) or PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) agreement, you will need to settle any outstanding finance with the car finance company.
To do this, you will need to request a settlement figure from them, which will tell you exactly what you owe on the vehicle.
If your car’s value is less than the settlement figure, you are in ‘negative equity’ and will need to pay the difference before you can exit the finance agreement and trade in the car. (Conversely, if the car’s value exceeds the settlement figure, you are in ‘positive equity’ and can put the difference towards your next car!)
Many car dealers and car buying services (including webuyanycar) can help you settle your outstanding finance. (With webuyanycar, all you need to do is provide us with an in-date settlement letter and your agreement reference number.)
Read our guide ‘Selling a car with outstanding finance’ for a detailed explanation of the process to follow.
Trading in a car bought with a personal loan
If you have bought your car with a personal loan, this means you are the legal owner of the vehicle and therefore you can sell your car at any time you wish.
Just remember that you will still be required to make any outstanding repayments in accordance with the terms of the loan.
Personal Contract Hire (PCH)
If you financed a car through a Personal Contract Hire (PCH) plan, you cannot sell it, as you have merely hired the vehicle. When the contract ends, you will have to return it to the dealer.
Bear in mind that this valuation may not match what you paid for the car; you should account for how long you have had the vehicle and other depreciation factors.
Our car valuation tool factors in all these variables for you. Simply enter your reg and mileage details to get a quick, hassle-free valuation.
Beat your trade-in value with webuyanycar
Thinking about trading in your car at a dealership? Here at webuyanycar, we’re confident we can beat your trade-in quote, leaving you with more cash to put towards your next motor!
What’s more, if you choose our Immediate Payment option when selling your car, you can get the money in your bank within 15 minutes! (Terms and conditions apply.)
Want to know how much more you could get with webuyanycar? Request your free car valuation now!
Our car valuation tool can provide you with a current valuation based on key data such as your car’s make, model, mileage and number of previous owners.
How it works
Selling with webuyanycar is quick, hassle-free – and could be a great alternative to trading in your used motor. Just follow the three simple steps below:
Enter your reg
Enter your vehicle’s reg number and provide a few basic details to receive your free car valuation in under 30 seconds.
Book your appointment
Select any of our 500+ UK branches, then confirm a convenient date and time for your appointment.
Sell your car
Drive to your chosen branch for your appointment and sell your car with us!