Whether you sell to dealerships, car trade in lots, or individual buyers, you’ll need certain items for the legal part of the transaction. What do you need to trade a car? Here’s what you need to know.
Preparing to Trade in a Car
If you have made the decision to trade your vehicle in, you will need to take a few extra steps before bringing it to a dealership. You should thoroughly clean the vehicle and address any details that may detract from its value. Dealerships offer the most for vehicles that are in good shape. You want it to be ready to sell as soon as it is traded in.
By the way, Earnhardt Ford staff has handled plenty of trades, and if you have questions, you can certainly call our dealership. We offer an easy way to get a cash offer on your car, SUV or truck. This online valuation tool is simple and trustworthy. It’s run by Kelley Blue Book not by Earnhardt Ford.
Get the Paperwork Together
First, you should make sure that you have the paperwork to prove that you are the rightful owner of the vehicle. This includes your title and registration. Perhaps it is a vehicle that has a co-owner. If so, you’ll need that person to be present for the final transaction. These rules are determined by the state of Arizona to protect everyone’s rights in a transaction.
You’ll also need your driver’s license to prove your identity. If you have other paperwork, such as the car’s service and maintenance records, please bring those as well.
If you are coming to Earnhardt Ford, you’ll want to bring along the cash offer you got from our Kelley Blue Book online tool. This expert valuation is your ticket to a fair price.
Gather Keys and Accessories
Next, you should gather all of the keys and accessories that were included with the vehicle when you purchased it; having these will allow you to receive as much as possible for the vehicle. Today’s keys can be worth $150 or $300. You want to provide both sets to the dealership, ensuring that they will be counted in the final total.
Furthermore, you should get any accessories that you may have removed from the car. These include such things as the cargo net for the trunk and the special wrench for the tire’s lug nuts. Likewise, if anything has fallen off in the interior, bring the pieces with you. This includes such things as light covers, knobs, and fixtures.
Timing the Payment with Turning Over the Car
Timing your receipt of the payment with turning over the car is very important if you are dealing with a sale to an individual. You don’t want to sign over your SUV only to find out their check bounced. Furthermore, it is unlikely that you want to trust an individual to make payments if you sign the car over to them first.
At Earnhardt Ford, our check will never bounce. It’s as good as having the cash in your hand. When you sign over the car to us, we will ensure that every i is dotted and every t is crossed. There will be no legal difficulties when our deal is done. Contact us to talk or make an appointment.
Two Ways to Trade Your Car at Earnhardt Ford
Get your cash offer using our online tool and visit our dealership within seven days to redeem it. Feel free to call and make an appointment to ensure that the process is convenient for you.
Located in Avondale, AZ, we are happy to serve all Arizonans. If you are in the Phoenix area, we are probably close by. For more information, you can click here for Hours and Directions.
With No Bull Express, we can handle everything remotely and come to your home to make the final transaction.
Following these steps will not only prepare you to trade in your vehicle, it will also allow you to receive a good settlement for your car, truck or SUV.
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