Dutailier Wooden

You want to get the most you can for your trade-in, right? Well, here's some pointers that will put some extra dollars in your wallet.

Let's dispel a myth right off the bat. Many people seem to believe, and I see this advice given on the internet quite often, that it is best to "fool" the Dealer into thinking they're only semi-interested by bringing in their trade when it is messy and dirty. The idea is that they weren't really planning to buy today, so the Dealer better give them a great deal to get their business.

The fact is, however, that Dealers are smart and they know all about this tactic. After all, they sell cars everyday and have seen it all.

The Dealer's most primary concern is the condition of the vehicle. The Dealer is looking at the trade-in in terms of what he can sell it for on his lot, or what he can sell it for at a Dealer auction. And it's condition is obviously a big factor determining its value.

If you were selling your car on your own and someone came to look at it, they wouldn't be very impressed with a dirty car with coffee and food stains, trash lying around here and there, old oil cans in the trunk and so forth. What would they think? Well, they'd likely think that you really don't care too much about your vehicle. And the most serious conclusion is that you probably didn't maintain it properly as well.

The result is that they will most likely walk away, or make an offer well below what you need to sell it for.

Dealer's have the same reaction. A dirty, cluttered car is telling the Dealer that it probably hasn't been well cared for.

To get the most for your trade-in, you need to think like a "seller" and present your product in its best possibly light.

So clean your car inside and out. Shampoo the carpets and floor mats. Clean stains off the upholstery. Clean out your trunk and glove compartment and only keep what is absolutely necessary in the car.

Now the Dealer will see that you take some pride in your vehicle and will be much more likely to assume you've also taken good care of it. Barring any major mechanical problems, this will have a positive impact on the price given by the Dealer.

The closer to "lot ready" a trade-in is, the higher its value to a Dealer.

Joshua Rose is an Auto Broker who will Buy A Car, at Dealer-Only auctions on behalf of consumers. He also provides tips and information on New And Used Car Buying.