Preparing your Car for Part Exchange

When you are considering purchasing a new car, whether brand new or just new to you, one of your first thoughts may be, 'How much can I get for my current car?' as you may be relying on the funds from your current vehicle to afford your new car.

If you have a car, or even a van, to part exchange, there are a few factors that can affect the price you're offered, including condition, age, and mileage. Another factor may be the specifications of your car, as some models are rarer or more sought after than others.

You can do certain things to prepare your vehicle for part-exchange and receive the maximum amount for it.

What is Part Exchange?

Simply put, you can use the value of an existing vehicle to offset the purchase of a new car or van. Your part exchange value will likely be deducted from the final purchase price of your new vehicle.

In some instances, if you are taking on a new finance agreement, you may be transferred the cash value of your current vehicle instead.

Part-exchanging your current vehicle when you purchase a new one takes away the hassle of negotiating a sale with the general public. You would also be responsible for the tax and MOT (unless you declare it as SORN) for your current vehicle so you may end up paying costs against two cars for a while if you decide not to part exchange.

Car Servicing

Having an up-to-date service book will hold you in good stead when the time comes to part exchange your vehicle.

Regular car servicing has a multitude of benefits as it helps identify potential problems that could materialise into severe and costly issues if ignored.

From this perspective, an up-to-date service book provides the new owners with complete peace of mind that the car has been taken care of and the internal components are in good condition. A dealership will find it easier to sell a car with an up-to-date service book, so you will likely receive more money for your car than one without.

A car service can save you money in the long run, particularly on costly repairs. A service at Perrys may be less than you think but may give you the chance to recoup this in your part exchange price.

Valet

You should also take your car to a valet before you bring your car in for a valuation. A shiny, clean vehicle will be more appealing to the dealership and allow them to see the car's actual condition. If the car is muddy, this could be hiding the state of the bodywork which could be scratched or dented, so you're likely to be offered less for your vehicle.

A car in this condition may also give off the idea that it hasn’t been looked after properly and consequently you may be offered less for it.

Car valuation

If you haven't decided whether it’s the right time for an upgrade or wondering if you can justify a new car, you may want to know how much your current car is worth initially.

Use our handy car valuation tool to get a rough idea of its value before visiting one of our dealerships. The value will be based on several factors that help us get an idea of the condition of your vehicle, without actually seeing it in person. Once you have completed all of the requirements, you'll be presented with a valuation so you can decide if you want to proceed.

If you're looking to purchase a new or quality used car and have a vehicle to part exchange, speak to your local Perrys dealership who will be more than happy to provide you with a valuation.