Finding Out What Your Car is Really Worth

Switching up your car has never been easier.

Finding Out What Your Car is Really Worth: You and your car go together like peanut butter and jelly. A reliable partnership that’s been solid through rush hours, road trips, school carpools, first dates, last dates, midnight food runs, and so much more.

But there comes a point when you realize it might be time for the dynamic duo to part ways. If your car no longer suits your needs or you’ve simply had one too many trips to the repairman, you might be asking yourself: do I need a different car? This yes-or-no question might be easy to answer, but the hard part comes in deciding what to do with your old car. Don’t worry – we have a solution that can bridge the gap between your current car woes and your future car dreams.

With TrueCar, all you have to do is enter in your license plate number and answer a few easy questions about your car. When you’re done, you will receive a True Cash Offer™ in minutes. Yes, it really is that easy! The final step — go to a TrueCar Certified Dealer with your True Cash Offer. You and the dealer will inspect your car, side-by-side, and if everything checks out, you have a deal! On top of that, you can also ask questions at the dealership and get the answers you need — no surprises or confusion when you see the final price. So whether you want to trade-in your car or sell it on the spot, we’ve got you covered.

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Navigating Next Steps

On average, it takes between 30-60 days to sell your vehicle privately, and honestly who has the time to wait that long? On top of that, you’ll have to coordinate a meeting with a stranger which is not convenient for you. You should be able to have an all-around great experience selling or trading in your car and we’re here to make that happen. Within minutes, using TrueCar, you can have a True Cash Offer offer on your car so you can figure out what gear you want to shift into next. Isn’t it nice when things are quick and simple? We think so!

Speaking of a great trade-in experience, ever wondered how you can get more $$ for your trade-in vehicle? Try improving the appearance of your car both inside and out. The exterior appearance is not only the first thing potential buyers will see, it also sets the tone for how well you’ve taken care of your vehicle overall. A well-cared-for exterior gives the perception that the vehicle’s maintenance will also be up to par. On the inside, make sure you treat the leather/interior to make it look new, fixing scratches and cracks.

And while regular service checks may not boost the value of your vehicle, they will help prevent your car from accelerated depreciation. Keep in mind: you can acquire a service plan through your dealer when you purchase a vehicle, and in some cases, you can spread out these costs over the life of the loan. If this helps motivate you to get your car in for service, it can be a good up-front investment to consider.

Still wondering why you were quoted less than what you think your car is worth? Ask yourself — what story does your car tell? Is it the new sound system you installed for your car ride karaoke sessions, the luxury package you got after a big promotion, or the custom tinted windows to protect yourself from all those UV rays? While you can’t put a price tag on your tastes, a dealership certainly can. The more unique you make the car to your preferences, the more difficult it will be to find someone willing to pay what you’ve invested. And some features may cancel any warranty coverage, further killing resale value.

Take note of the steep drop off in tech and luxury features. For example, Bluetooth and leather seating are valued high, but night vision and alcantara headliners have a low ROI. While you can’t change this once you’ve bought your car, be sure to keep this in mind before you jump for your next luxury purchase!

Now here comes the moment of truth — are you ready to get the wheels in motion towards a new ride? If you’re ready to trade-in, we’re here to make sure you can make the sale easily without any roadblocks.

Find great deals

Find great deals on new or used cars near you with TrueCar.